MegActiv MA305FT Antenna

[jimform2k1]

Hello,

Is anyone using the Bonito MegActiv MA305FT as there sdr antenna? If so, how is this antenna performing?

Thanks

Jim

 

[ka3jjz]

That would be 'their' not 'there'...anyway, this antenna is evidently resold under another brand name and carried by Universal Radio, viz.

NTi MA305FT Wideband Active

These antennas generally don't perform very well in an urban setting where many TV, FM and MW stations abound. To its credit, it does have a FM filter, but that's going to only be for one band. It's usually a sign that the original design didn't have the filter, and may suggest some design faults. Euro reviews should be viewed with a grain of salt, as many areas don't have nearly the band congestion that we have in the States.

Many of these E field antennas are noise magnets and will pick up noise from just about anything in its vicinity. Mounting this antenna away from the home is a must if you are going to correct that to some degree.

I would also hesitate if you are using something like a RTL-SDR stick or similar. These SDRs lack any robust front end filtering which makes overloading a real possibility. Notice that you need to supply some additional cabling, as shown in the above ad.

Before anyone can give a meaningful answer, let's get a couple of basic questions out of the way...

- Where are you (county/state is great)? Urban or rural setting? Do you have a HOA or other zoning issues that don't allow you to put up antennas?
- What SDR are you using? (very important question)
- What are you trying to hear? Be specific as possible.
- Can you mount something outside? I suspect you're trying to stay low-visibility. There are many designs that won't be noticeable with a little planning. For HF, the PAR EF-SWL is a wire antenna that can be mounted in any number of ways, and it's a heckuva lot cheaper. Even a loop will be about the same price, but a far better performance factor. For VHF and some UHF, it's hard to beat the homebrew off center dipole which we have plans for in our wiki. Here are some links... (always in blue, by the way)

Par Electronics EF-SWL, LNR Precision EF-SWL End Fed Dipole SWL Antenna. Par EF-SWL.

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Loops

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Homebrewed_Off-Center_Fed_Dipole

Mike

 

[jimform2k1]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm in an urban setting near Detroit.

I have an sdrplay rsp1a.

I would like to try something like this:

Thanks

That would be 'their' not 'there'...anyway, this antenna is evidently resold under another brand name and carried by Universal Radio, viz.

NTi MA305FT Wideband Active

These antennas generally don't perform very well in an urban setting where many TV, FM and MW stations abound. To its credit, it does have a FM filter, but that's going to only be for one band. It's usually a sign that the original design didn't have the filter, and may suggest some design faults. Euro reviews should be viewed with a grain of salt, as many areas don't have nearly the band congestion that we have in the States.

Many of these E field antennas are noise magnets and will pick up noise from just about anything in its vicinity. Mounting this antenna away from the home is a must if you are going to correct that to some degree.

I would also hesitate if you are using something like a RTL-SDR stick or similar. These SDRs lack any robust front end filtering which makes overloading a real possibility. Notice that you need to supply some additional cabling, as shown in the above ad.

Before anyone can give a meaningful answer, let's get a couple of basic questions out of the way...

- Where are you (county/state is great)? Urban or rural setting? Do you have a HOA or other zoning issues that don't allow you to put up antennas?
- What SDR are you using? (very important question)
- What are you trying to hear? Be specific as possible.
- Can you mount something outside? I suspect you're trying to stay low-visibility. There are many designs that won't be noticeable with a little planning. For HF, the PAR EF-SWL is a wire antenna that can be mounted in any number of ways, and it's a heckuva lot cheaper. Even a loop will be about the same price, but a far better performance factor. For VHF and some UHF, it's hard to beat the homebrew off center dipole which we have plans for in our wiki. Here are some links... (always in blue, by the way)

Par Electronics EF-SWL, LNR Precision EF-SWL End Fed Dipole SWL Antenna. Par EF-SWL.

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Loops

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Homebrewed_Off-Center_Fed_Dipole

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

I'm very surprised that it's not picking up noise from those nearby power lines in the video. It should have a lot of issues with that. Of course, he was on the 25mb when he did that test; it would be more interesting to see how the antenna performs on the lower frequencies where noise is more common. In addition, the video does mention that he may have a defective supply that shuts down after 3 or 4 minutes. Servicing a defective unit from Germany isn't going to be something someone in the States is going to be likely to do. A US made loop, like the W6LVP loops that are linked in one of the articles I gave, could be replaced or repaired relatively easily (in fact the gentleman that makes these loops has had numerous reports of outstanding customer service). He even has a kit that you can make your own loop.

Interesting, but every installation will be different. One sample is not representative of every possible outcome. You might have more issues with noise and overloading. particularly in an urban area like yours, or you might not. If at least some of your interests are HF and below (particularly MW) the ability to null out stations on MW and LW to bring others in is a big plus. This is something an E field antenna simply can't do.

Caution advised...Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

Another plus for loops is that they are far less sensitive to local noise sources - that's a big plus in an urban environment. In addition the fellow that sells the LVP loops has been known to add additional filtering at the antenna for issues with broadcasting services - something you may need to consider.

It would be helpful to know what it is you want to hear with your RSP1A and whatever antenna you go with...Mike