Nil-Jon MP Antenna Super M Ultra

[iMONITOR]

New antenna coming to Universal Radio. Looks like it would work great for grilling hot-dogs, or drying your socks! What do RR's resident experts think?


Nil-Jon MP Antenna Super M Ultra
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/5226.html

 

[commscanaus]

Not having ever tried any Nil-Jon products personally, I really do wonder myself how well this one works.
It appears to be a nest of dipoles of varying lengths- so no doubt there are some resonant spots where it will work well- for a groundplane antenna.

Universal states "Gains is 8 dBmp"- is that gain over a Bitmap?? Sorry- but not familiar with that unit of measure.
Performance to 6 Ghz is also a tall order- but then again- who has equipment capable of that sort of frequency range- outside an expensive service monitor? What is there to hear above 2Ghz anyway?

More questions than answers here- but would like to hear users opinions of this antenna over the performance of the familiar discone.

Commscanaus.

 

[AK9R]

If all of the elements are the same length, then it's a double discone. It's kinda hard to tell in the photo.

 

[BMT]

Nil-jon Antenna

I use a NIL-JON multi-band for MILAIR. Works great at just 20'up.

BMT

 

[iMONITOR]

A friend of mine (K8PBX) is using the NIL-JON Super M Base antenna on a 30' tower and is very impressed with the performance.

NIL-JON Super M Base
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/2063.html

 

[trooperdude]

That pix is a double stacked discone.

It would be interesting to see the actual performance on a spectrum analyzer plot.

My guess is all hat and no cattle.

Friends who have tried NilJon haven't been that impressed.

 

[thewenk]

I've used the NIL-JON Super M Base, but I too was not impressed, especially when one considers the price. I have been much happier with the performance of the DPD OmniX multi-band antenna.
http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_scanner.html#omnix

Dave

 

[Aero12]

I looked into this one, and it's not a discone; it seems to be completely unique, from what I could find. The elements are different lengths, which is supposed to be better for making sense of jumbled signals. I've never tried it out though; I agree the price makes it a bit scary.

 

[KT4HX]

Well I saw their description of what dBmp is, and I quote "dBmp is the effective Real World comparative gain as measured in obstructed environments using patented Multi-Polarized technology".

That being said, I still don't know how it is derived, or how it correlates to gain measured in dB or dBi. I sent them an email asking for further clarification on how to convert this measurement to dB gain. I don't know if there are too many variables associated with measuring dBmp (decibel multi-path) for a simple conversion formula to apply.

As for NilJon antennas in general, I have the Super-M Classic mobile (have had it for a few years). I was not totally satisfied with it on my truck, and eventually replaced it with a Larsen 150/450/800 and have not changed since. The NilJon has been mounted inside my garage for the past few years where I keep a Pro-2055 to have on when I'm at my workbench or just doing general outdoor chores. It performs well on my local systems.

 

[mike_gain]

Nil-Jon stuff rates well on eham.net

 

[rvictor]

Well I saw their description of what dBmp is, and I quote "dBmp is the effective Real World comparative gain as measured in obstructed environments using patented Multi-Polarized technology".

I'm a bit uncomfortable with companies that make up their own specification systems when there are widely accepted systems already in existence. It might be legit, but it sounds more like double talk. Besides, it doesn't give me a way to compare it to any other product since they appear to be the only one using that system.

Dick

 

[E-Man]

I thought the company may of went out of business, their website was down for a long time, now it looks like they may have had a name change to MP Antenna's?:

MP Antenna Multi Polarized Antennas

I have had the Classic for many years now, while an ok performer, IMO it is over priced and over hyped.

 

[Aero12]

I found this on mp antenna's website. They sort of explain what they mean by dBmp, at least qualitatively.

MP Antenna Multi-Polarized Antennas

 

[KB3SKU]

Im lost can it be used for HF? RX and TX? Sound like it can be used on 2m/70cm also. if this is the case and it can be used for HF then all ill need is just 1 antenna maybe 2 instead of 3 like i was planning. 1 for my FT-897D and 1 for my Scanner. Id buy 2 MP Ultras if there worth it.

TRYING for the longest time to find a HF antenna that doesn't require guy wires and doesn't cost a arm and a leg. I thought about the Titan DX but i really don't want to spend $400 on a antenna.

Id be putting it up on a second floor apartment roof.

 

[KT4HX]

If you read the description, it does not mention anything about HF. The receive range is listed as 25 to 1300 MHz, so in theory it does cover the 10 meter ham band. However, I suspect the reception quality at 28-30 MHz would be less than stellar. It is only rated for transmitting on 2/70 as you stated. But to answer your basic question, no, you would not want to use the Nil-Jon for HF. As I mentioned in my earlier response to this thread, I was not "overly" impressed by the mobile version as a scanner antenna, and eventually swapped it out for a Larsen.

There are many, many types of HF antennas out there, either of the commercial variety or do it yourself types. You didn't mention your budget, or in detail your mounting options (other than 2nd fl apt roof). Do you have only one support point, or can you string up a wire between two points? How much physical space do you have to work with? Sometimes it takes some real ingenuity to get on the air when your operating conditions are less than optimal.

Im lost can it be used for HF? RX and TX? Sound like it can be used on 2m/70cm also. if this is the case and it can be used for HF then all ill need is just 1 antenna maybe 2 instead of 3 like i was planning. 1 for my FT-897D and 1 for my Scanner. Id buy 2 MP Ultras if there worth it.

TRYING for the longest time to find a HF antenna that doesn't require guy wires and doesn't cost a arm and a leg. I thought about the Titan DX but i really don't want to spend $400 on a antenna.

Id be putting it up on a second floor apartment roof.

 

[KB3SKU]

If you read the description, it does not mention anything about HF. The receive range is listed as 25 to 1300 MHz, so in theory it does cover the 10 meter ham band. However, I suspect the reception quality at 28-30 MHz would be less than stellar. It is only rated for transmitting on 2/70 as you stated. But to answer your basic question, no, you would not want to use the Nil-Jon for HF. As I mentioned in my earlier response to this thread, I was not "overly" impressed by the mobile version as a scanner antenna, and eventually swapped it out for a Larsen.

There are many, many types of HF antennas out there, either of the commercial variety or do it yourself types. You didn't mention your budget, or in detail your mounting options (other than 2nd fl apt roof). Do you have only one support point, or can you string up a wire between two points? How much physical space do you have to work with? Sometimes it takes some real ingenuity to get on the air when your operating conditions are less than optimal.

Sorry

I have no room for a wire antenna,my budget would be about $250 maybe $300.

if you go here you can see my apartment roof;

YouTube - My Roof for HF Antenna

the antenna i have there is my 2m/440. mounting point wise would be the Fire Escape railing the 2m/440 is on in the video. Im aloud 3 antennas tops according to my landlord.

My plans are 1 antenna for HF 1 for 2m/440 and one for Scanner.


Sorry Op i didnt mean to hijack your thread

 

[KT4HX]

I ran across this antenna on Eham, that might be worth a look. Like I said, there are a myriad of antennas out there that would get you on the air under your circumstances:

CHAMELEON V1 HF Multiband Antenna™

CHAMELEON V1 HF Multiband Antenna Product Reviews

Sorry

I have no room for a wire antenna,my budget would be about $250 maybe $300.

if you go here you can see my apartment roof;

YouTube - My Roof for HF Antenna

the antenna i have there is my 2m/440. mounting point wise would be the Fire Escape railing the 2m/440 is on in the video. Im aloud 3 antennas tops according to my landlord.

My plans are 1 antenna for HF 1 for 2m/440 and one for Scanner.


Sorry Op i didnt mean to hijack your thread

 

[KB3SKU]

I ran across this antenna on Eham, that might be worth a look. Like I said, there are a myriad of antennas out there that would get you on the air under your circumstances:

CHAMELEON V1 HF Multiband Antenna™

CHAMELEON V1 HF Multiband Antenna Product Reviews

Hmm i think i may have found what i have been looking for I thank you sir,at $170 and the rave reviews i think i found the base antenna i always wanted

2 questions, it says it can be used on 2m and 70cm would i need to do any major tuning for those 2 bands?

2nd question is the way it mounts to the mast what what sort of mast would i need? Plus im thinking about getting LMR400 coax for the HF side of my radio.

Not to be a pain but could you suggest a good 25-1300 scanner antenna? Would the one in this post title be worth it?

 

[KT4HX]

To get answers to your specific questions regarding the Chameleon, I would contact the sellers of it. I have never used it myself, but ran across it on Eham, and thought it sounded interesting and a good possibility for your situation.

I would think that the Nil-Jon would work fine for your scanner. You might also consider the ScanTenna ST-2, which would be a cheaper alternative. I know a lot of people use them and really like them. You might wanna search through the forums for info on that one as well.

One thing to remember is that you should separate the antennas as much as possible from one another to prevent interaction and interference.

Hmm i think i may have found what i have been looking for I thank you sir,at $170 and the rave reviews i think i found the base antenna i always wanted

2 questions, it says it can be used on 2m and 70cm would i need to do any major tuning for those 2 bands?

2nd question is the way it mounts to the mast what what sort of mast would i need? Plus im thinking about getting LMR400 coax for the HF side of my radio.

Not to be a pain but could you suggest a good 25-1300 scanner antenna? Would the one in this post title be worth it?

 

[prcguy]

If your looking for snake oil then you have found it. This antenna is not magic and will provide less performance than the common $20 hamstick on any given band. It will require a tuner, otherwise most modern radios will fold back the power due to VSWR problems.

I have not taken one of these apart yet but will bet a paycheck there is a lossy matching thingee in the base of the antenna that works with a 9:1 balun to match over such a wide range. Short whips at HF are very low impedance (well under 50 ohms) and I suspect there is a several hundred ohm series resistor in the base of the antenna.

There is no magic 8ft antenna that will perform well over the entire HF bands except a screwdriver type with a good counterpoise and these are tuned to each frequency you use. When it comes to antennas, if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn't.
prcguy

Hmm i think i may have found what i have been looking for I thank you sir,at $170 and the rave reviews i think i found the base antenna i always wanted

2 questions, it says it can be used on 2m and 70cm would i need to do any major tuning for those 2 bands?

2nd question is the way it mounts to the mast what what sort of mast would i need? Plus where do i find the correct 3/8-24 mount? Plus im thinking about getting LMR400 coax for the HF side of my radio.

Not to be a pain but could you suggest a good 25-1300 scanner antenna? Would the one in this post title be worth it?