PA0RDT Mini Whip ? Users ?

[bearcatrp]

While listening to ATC on HF out of new york last night. Was able to listen to both sides of the transmissions. Decided to try my wire. Could barely hear ATC. Put the new antenna on. Was able to listen to both sides again. Am recommending this antenna. It pulls in the frequencies better than my wire.

 

[zoofer]

I looked at purchasing the PA0RDT Mini Whip a few years ago but went the amplified loop route instead and was quite pleased with its performance. I'm now ready to get a mini whip after reading up on it. I sent an email to Roelof asking about pricing and availability. Here is his response (by the way I do live in the USA):

The cost used to be 60 Euro, 39 Euro for the antenna and 21 Euro for shipping by PostNL. This amounts to about 70 USD. Delivery time after payment was about 10 business days.

However, due to the changed US tariff policy, PostNL shipment has grinded to a halt and the only option is DHL Express, delivery next business day.
Total cost including tariff and DHL handling fee will be about 130 - 140 USD, which is insane, if you ask me.

If and when this situation will change for the better, I don't know.

73,
Roelof Bakker, pa0rdt

So there we are. As much as I would like to get a mini whip direct from Roelof, I can't justify the crazy shipping cost. So have any radioreference.com users obtained one via ebay or elsewhere and been satisfied with its performance? I'm not crazy about getting a Chinese knockoff, so maybe you know of a reliable alternative source for getting one that's going to work. All suggestions appreciated. And please, no political commentary about tariffs. I think we are all aware of why this happened and we don't need this thread polluted.

Kevin, W4KCA

 

[bearcatrp]

That sucks. Wait until europe pulls its head out of its butt and order one. You will like it. Its worth the wait.

 

[ka3jjz]

Kevin plans are out there for this antenna why not build it yourself? If you have a well stocked junkbox you might have almost all you need

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

If these antennas are mounted properly they may be a way to go to avoid HOA nazis and the like. But it does take some effort to mount it correctly. Even the one used at the University of Twente (likely the best known public user of this antenna) is well grounded to a metal roof. They should also be mounted as far as you can from the home. There is an article from SWLing.com that is in the early stages of this thread that details this. These antennas are not likely to work very well indoors. An amplified loop (i.e. W6LVP) is a much better bet in these cases

Mike

 

[zoofer]

Kevin plans are out there for this antenna why not build it yourself? If you have a well stocked junkbox you might have almost all you need

Mike

Actually Mike, I may have purchased one of the mini whip kits years ago and just never got around to putting it together. It's in a small plastic bag mixed in with my connectors and cables. But since we just moved it may be a while before it makes an appearance. But I'll keep an eye out for it for sure.

 

[bearcatrp]

When I emailed the guy who makes this about grounding, he said not needed unless in a high RF environment. Mine works fine with no grounding.

 

[dlwtrunked]

That sucks. Wait until europe pulls its head out of its butt and order one. You will like it. Its worth the wait.

Europe has not much to do with it. The shipping cost is mostly the tariffs by the U.S. This is where the tariffs are charged--in the shipping costs. One has to be very careful in ordering anything overseas now as often the tariffs in the shipping costs are not noted and one gets a big surprise in the final bill.

 

[zoofer]

Europe has not much to do with it. The shipping cost is mostly the tariffs by the U.S. This is where the tariffs are charged--in the shipping costs. One has to be very careful in ordering anything overseas now as often the tariffs in the shipping costs are not noted and one gets a big surprise in the final bill.

Actually it's the European post offices current inability to adapt to the new US tariff rules that ended the 'de minimis' exemption for packages under $800, which now require duties to be paid. European postal systems are working to develop systems that adapt to the new US rules. Once those systems are in place, shipping services are expected to resume.