PA0RDT Mini Whip ? Users ?

[BOBRR]

Hello,

Do listening only. Below 30 MHz.

a. Would be very interested in other folks opinions, and experience with the PAORDT ant. ?

b. Any suggestions for an indoor antenna other than a Loop ?
(don't want a loop due to the need to (almost continuously) re-orient it.)

Regards,
Bob

 

[dlwtrunked]

Hello,

Do listening only. Below 30 MHz.

a. Would be very interested in other folks opinions, and experience with the PAORDT ant. ?

b. Any suggestions for an indoor antenna other than a Loop ?
(don't want a loop due to the need to (almost continuously) re-orient it.)

Regards,
Bob

I will not suggest anything indoor as that is a compromise with indoor reception with electrical noise coming from multiple direction. A PA0RDT (note is a "0" not "O") is a good antenna outside and in the clear. Best one I have seen of these is

For PA0RDT Miniwhip Active Antenna VLF LF HF VHF Miniwhip Antenna Assembled os6 | eBay

For PA0RDT Miniwhip Active Antenna VLF LF HF VHF Miniwhip Antenna Shortwave SDR RX Assembled. This new version of MiniWhip Antenna has these features - 1 x Set of Miniwhip Antenna. Each antenna performs as good as its installation permits it to.

www.ebay.com

Some other small cheaper active HF antennas I have tried have been poor performers or poor physically (internally fell apart in shipment).

 

[BOBRR]

Hi,

Do receiving only. <30 MHz.

About 5 years ago, very approx., I installed a PA0RDT Mini Whip Ant. (the whip goes vertically)
Hardly ever went to it, or used it.

Well, I did today and was amazed.
Pulled in all sorts of freq's that my simple end fed long wire (about 60 ft.) did not.

So, I was wondering:

The chap that made these I believe is named Roelff.
In the Netherlands.

I emailed him, but no reply.

Questions:

Assuming he still does, are there any newer (better) models from him ? Link to ?

"Similar" units from others ?

Any thoughts on, particularly if there are "better" similar units available from any source, would
be appreciated.

Also, would be most interested in your experiences with ?

Regards,
Bob

 

[K4EET]

From his public QRZ bio:

If you are looking for information about the pa0rdt-Mini-Whip antenna, I am building them to order.

Please email for information to roelofndb@gmail.com

Thank you!

Roelof Bakker, pa0rdt

 

[dxace1]

I think these have to be put up at a minimum height to be effective

 

[bearcatrp]

I think these have to be put up at a minimum height to be effective

What’s the minimum height? Looks interesting

 

[bearcatrp]

May order one off of eBay. Need something portable for my camping trips.

 

[ka3jjz]

I'm pretty sure we have discussed this before but given that you are in a fairly urban environment, you might find some improvement in what you are hearing if it is mounted better. This SWLing.com article has the details

How to properly install a Mini Whip antenna in an noisy urban environment

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Grayhat, who shares the following guest post: Setting up a Mini Whip antenna by Grayhat I’ve been fiddling with my “balcony antenna” experiment for quite a w…

swling.com

Mike

 

[bearcatrp]

One of my 1st hf antennas was the super antenna. Works pretty good but moving the slider kind of sucked. Just tried my little loop a bit ago. Not that great having to manually rotate. Reason why I’m on the hunt for a better HF antenna for my camping trips.

https://www.amazon.com/Super-Antenna-MP1C-Radio-Portable/dp/B01GWW0N5Q/ref=asc_df_B01GWW0N5Q?mcid=3fa527e9563f38bab80652bc0923fd2f&hvocijid=16414504564803541614-B01GWW0N5Q-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16414504564803541614&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019851&hvtargid=pla-2281435177618&psc=1

 

[IC-R20]

I have a portable version of it. The Apex Radio MW115. I used to strap it to the back of my backpack when hiking or carry it in a coat pocket while going out for a walk and had a short cable running into a Tecsun PL365.

 

[bearcatrp]

Emailed him to check on pricing. Looks like $60 shipped.

 

[K4EET]

Emailed him to check on pricing. Looks like $60 shipped.

If you end up purchasing one, please do check back in and give us a review on the antenna. Thanks!

 

[bearcatrp]

If you end up purchasing one, please do check back in and give us a review on the antenna. Thanks!

Will do.

Just ordered it. Will post my findings.

It was $73.82 after the conversion. PayPal only. He said it will ship out Monday. Am guessing 10 days to get across the pond.

 

[bearcatrp]

Looks like it will clear customs today, delivered around the 15th.

 

[K4EET]

Looks like it will clear customs today, delivered around the 15th.

Sounds good 👍

 

[ka3jjz]

Please make sure to read message 8 of this thread. It has a link to a very important article on proper mounting and grounding of these little e field antennas

Mike

 

[bearcatrp]

Please make sure to read message 8 of this thread. It has a link to a very important article on proper mounting and grounding of these little e field antennas

Mike

Will do. Thanks

 

[bearcatrp]

Would it be a bad idea to use a splitter and have this antenna along with my discone? Don't want to run a second coax. Looking at mounting it about a foot underneath my discone when I am home.

 

[K4EET]

Would it be a bad idea to use a splitter and have this antenna along with my discone? Don't want to run a second coax. Looking at mounting it about a foot underneath my discone when I am home.

A splitter is a bad idea. Are these antennas going to be used for receiving only or will they also ever be used for transmitting?

 

[K4EET]

<snip>
Do receiving only. <30 MHz.
<snip>

Hi Bob, just to clarify my question, I know you said receive only. I just want to be sure that you will never want to transmit on either antenna.

<edit> My bad… The PA0RDT antenna is receive only. So just the discone. Would you ever use it for transmitting?