GA450 loop antenna for SW use?

[Gadgeteer2000]

Hello all,
I live in a (very) high RF noise house and would like to find an indoor SW antenna solution. I am looking at the GA450 loop antenna, available from many sellers on Ebay for USD 70-80.
Has anyone any experience with this antenna?
I have a youloop and MLA30 - but they are a bit too big to be used in a "wife friendly" way. The GA450 would be more easily accepted - but will it work (well) for SW receiving?
Thank you for any thoughts!

PS: I know this will be a compromise no matter what - I just want to find a solution that maximizes what I can receive at a reasonable price...

 

[ka3jjz]

To be honest it looks a bit cheap, but I didn't see any reviews specifically on it (tried Google). I would think this would stand out a bit more than the YouLoop or MLA30 (depending on how you have it mounted, of course)

Its frequency coverage is a bit limited compared to a MLA30, too.

The PK Loop is much more expensive, but a lot less unsightly than either the YouLoop or MLA30. What is your budget like? On what radio(s) would you be using this? Mike

 

[Gadgeteer2000]

Thank you Mike for the reply. I was hoping to spend less than $100 if possible... I have seen expensive solutions (AOR LA400 looks very nice for example) but those are out of my budget for the time being, unfortunately. Looked at PK Loop - do I see it correctly that I would need two antennas to cover the whole SW band? (plus of course the price IS quite a bit higher)?

 

[ka3jjz]

Yeah, which is why I wasn't recommending it highly, altho the form factor would fit your needs. If you were considering the LA400, the PK Loop would be the way I would go for that reason

Mike

 

[Gadgeteer2000]

Yeah, which is why I wasn't recommending it highly, altho the form factor would fit your needs. If you were considering the LA400, the PK Loop would be the way I would go for that reason

Mike

Thank you. I may just risk the china loop - need to sleep over that decision - as it does (if it works) what 2 PK Loops do, at a significantly lower price.

On a related note: I am thinking of looping around a YouLoop antenna (so the antenna wire would double up as the two boxes would be on top of each other) - which would make the size about half as big. We will see how that works - will try over the weekend.

 

[ka3jjz]

Keep in mind that you can hide the loop behind something as long as it doesn't have anything metallic. A bookcase for example. That would keep whatever you are using 'wifey'.

Also you're kinda mixing apples and oranges here - the YouLoop is passive, which means that it has no amplifier, unlike the MLA30 (although that amp is no real joy either - I understand it is a wideband video amp). So the signal levels on the YouLoop will be low

Mike

 

[Gadgeteer2000]

Yes, thank you. Makes sense. I tried both youloop (with an amp and without an amp) and the MLA30 and the results were quite similar. (Youloop + wideband amp and MLA30). Unfortunately I have no way to "hide" the antenna. I may install something in the attic at some point, but the wiring part (pulling antenna wire through wall) is a pain, so for now would like to have an "in room" acceptable solution. We shall see how "tiny" youloop (folded in half) will do.

 

[PlayinMySkip]

Looks like something like an AOR LA390 antenna. They were "okay" as I had one for my R75. A 25 foot wire was better, running from the radio up to the ceiling and then out the door to a support. Anyways, a per the antenna you are looking into, remember it is not a passive antenna, so it'll bring alot of QRM/QRN amplified to your receiver.

 

[bkantor]

Digging up this old thread - I just got the GA-450 this week from China, using it on my Chinese Malahit Clone. This has far exceeded my expectations - I have limited places to put an antenna (this one is wifey friendly). This thing is really digging out some great signals, having fun listening to hams that my old indoor antenna (just a big whip) was not capable of pulling in very well. I realize an outdoor antenna up high would be optimal, but after experimenting with wires and other antennas indoors, this is the best result I have gotten so far. Good deal for the price.

 

[ka3jjz]

Not everyone can put a wire outside, so you have to get creative. Good to hear that it works well for you...Mike