K-480WLA, WV-601 or MLA-30+ antenna recommendation for entry level SDR newbie?

[mikefont]

Hello everyone,

My DX'ing hobby goes all the way back to when I was a kid, primarily using portable radios for many years listening to everything from picking up faint AM stations, the old "Border Blaster" FM radio stations in Mexico, shortwave "conspiracy" guys like Bill Cooper or Art Bell, AIR band transmissions or listening to HAM operators on SSB chewing the fat.

After discovering a few years ago that I could listen online via KiwiSDR sites and enjoying that SDR experience in general, I finally jumped in and bought a RTL-SDR Blog v4 dongle using the included Di-pole antenna for my Windows 11 PC. I am wanting to upgrade the antenna (something budget friendly) considering that I live in a suburb in Houston, TX with an HOA and LOTS of RF interference to deal with. After a little research, I am thinking about either an active loop like the MLA-30+ or K-480WLA, or a passive loop WV-601. I'm hoping to accommodate the widest range possible for what I listen to (500khz to 30mhz), plus some flexibility to play around in more upper frequency regions (Air band, Weather Band, 1.25m Ham Band, VHF, and UHF).

Any thoughts on the 3 antennas I am considering or any other recommendations?

Thanks for the input!

 

[Slippery999]

Hello everyone,

My DX'ing hobby goes all the way back to when I was a kid, primarily using portable radios for many years listening to everything from picking up faint AM stations, the old "Border Blaster" FM radio stations in Mexico, shortwave "conspiracy" guys like Bill Cooper or Art Bell, AIR band transmissions or listening to HAM operators on SSB chewing the fat.

After discovering a few years ago that I could listen online via KiwiSDR sites and enjoying that SDR experience in general, I finally jumped in and bought a RTL-SDR Blog v4 dongle using the included Di-pole antenna for my Windows 11 PC. I am wanting to upgrade the antenna (something budget friendly) considering that I live in a suburb in Houston, TX with an HOA and LOTS of RF interference to deal with. After a little research, I am thinking about either an active loop like the MLA-30+ or K-480WLA, or a passive loop WV-601. I'm hoping to accommodate the widest range possible for what I listen to (500khz to 30mhz), plus some flexibility to play around in more upper frequency regions (Air band, Weather Band, 1.25m Ham Band, VHF, and UHF).

Any thoughts on the 3 antennas I am considering or any other recommendations?

Thanks for the input!

I have both the MLA-30+ and the K180-WLA and the K-480WLA is the antenna I use everyday. The MLA-30+ is good but if you can spend a little more the K-480WLA is better. I don't know about your other choice but passive loops usually don't work as well for me.

 

[mikefont]

Yeah, I am leaning towards the K-480WLA as my top choice based on some reviews I've seen about it. I appreciate hearing from someone who uses it regularly. Thank you for your feedback!

 

[EAFrizzle]

The RTL-SDR V4 is a nice little SDR for the money with the right antenna. I find that my SDRs and SDR-based receivers like an active or amplified signal for the best performance. I use a couple of MLA-30s for SW and military monitoring with no complaints.

I moved away from Houston last year, so I understand HOAs and stealth antennas very well. If you have an older house without a radiant barrier, you can string wire in the rafters to make a large horizontal loop for even better reception.

You may also want to consider AM and FM Broadcast band filters to give the SDR some more breathing room. Listening to anything besides TxWARN can be difficult in big chunks of Harris County with all the RF blasting through town.

If you're having a lot of noise at night, a Loop on Ground antenna can help with that, and is easily hidable from the HOA. It doesn't have to be a huge loop; a 100' wire loop (roughly 25'x25' square) tunes up in the 80 meter band, so you don't need acreage. Make one up from some speaker wire, get the right connector for the radio and lay it out on nights you need it. Once you're done, just pull it in the window and roll it up.

 

[mikefont]

The RTL-SDR V4 is a nice little SDR for the money with the right antenna. I find that my SDRs and SDR-based receivers like an active or amplified signal for the best performance. I use a couple of MLA-30s for SW and military monitoring with no complaints.

I moved away from Houston last year, so I understand HOAs and stealth antennas very well. If you have an older house without a radiant barrier, you can string wire in the rafters to make a large horizontal loop for even better reception.

You may also want to consider AM and FM Broadcast band filters to give the SDR some more breathing room. Listening to anything besides TxWARN can be difficult in big chunks of Harris County with all the RF blasting through town.

If you're having a lot of noise at night, a Loop on Ground antenna can help with that, and is easily hidable from the HOA. It doesn't have to be a huge loop; a 100' wire loop (roughly 25'x25' square) tunes up in the 80 meter band, so you don't need acreage. Make one up from some speaker wire, get the right connector for the radio and lay it out on nights you need it. Once you're done, just pull it in the window and roll it up.

Yes, I was wondering if an active antenna would be the best way to go or not, so thanks for sharing your experience sir!
I was also looking at some video's regarding Loop on Ground antennas, and I have the wire and Coax here to make one up. I would just need an isolation transformer and I should be good to try it out. And with my backyard, I think I could leave it out without worrying about pulling it in, but that is an option to consider.

Thanks again!

 

[mikefont]

The RTL-SDR V4 is a nice little SDR for the money with the right antenna. I find that my SDRs and SDR-based receivers like an active or amplified signal for the best performance. I use a couple of MLA-30s for SW and military monitoring with no complaints.

So if you are using a couple of MLA-30s, do you use them separately or at the same time? I would assume that using at the same time can improve signal strength and reception if positioned correctly, but could the proximity or location of using multiple loop antennas cause interference between them? I have come across some websites discussing antenna physics and such, but hearing first hand experiences are very helpful

 

[EAFrizzle]

I use the MLA-30s at the same time. They're at the same height about 10' apart, with the nulls aimed slightly different. One is used only for military and utility monitoring and the other for SW broadcasts and utility. They're very good performers for the price, with the caveat that they don't do well on high-angle signals, similar to a vertical. Most of the signals they catch are more vertical in polarization as well. The Loop on Ground gives you better high-angle and horizontal performance making it a good addition for an all-around HF listening post.

There are some days when the LoG will be the only antenna to bring in a listenable signal for me. I've been able to listen to RNZ Pacific with no signal showing on any meter, but clear modulation and audio with it.

Have fun!

 

[mikefont]

Well, I bought a 1:1 isolation transformer from Goozeezoo AND the Nooelec Balun One Nine to try both out for a Loop On Ground antenna, as I had 80' of wire and some coax on hand. I must say, I was blown away at not only how many more signals I am pulling in, but how QUIET the noise levels are! I'm barely adding any gain (if any at all) for local AM radio broadcasts, and for DX'ing around the Ham Bands.
I may well hold off on getting an active loop for a little while and enjoy this LoG...for a little while anyway LOL

Thanks!

 

[EAFrizzle]

Glad you're liking it. A good loop is generally MUCH quieter than an open circuit antenna, and on the ground cuts even more... most of the time.

When geomagnetic storms arise, the LoG antenna will pick up the buzz and hum of the storm. Sometimes it overpowers the signal, but any other antenna will have trouble in those conditions as well. There were some periods last night that were full of noise on all my antennas.

If you have access to a CB mag-mount antenna, they can work well with an SDR. You can slap it on the air conditioner, a pizza pan, or whatever. I know a guy that uses one indoors on a cast-iron skillet for HF. They're good for AM broadcast DXing, being vertically polarized. An easy alternative for different conditions.