HF Active RX Loop Antenna 500 kHz to 55 MHz Magnetic Loop

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  • čas přidán 16. 06. 2023
  • Here we take a look at the HF Active RX Loop Antenna V4 from Cross Country Wireless. This amazing little double loop antenna seems to perform miracles! Check out the video for reception examples across most of the HF bands.
    More information on this antenna can be found here:
    www.crosscountrywireless.net/...
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  • Věda a technologie

Komentáře • 106

  • @WessexWeather
    @WessexWeather Před rokem +10

    How do you think it compares with your EFHW?

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +15

      For those that are asking the same question, the EFHW was better on all bands apart from 160M. And for those eagle eyed viewers you would of seen me switch the antenna from A / B. If anyone wants a comparison video I will gladly make one if asked nicely. Unlike how the @MrTaylor_UK commented!

    • @WessexWeather
      @WessexWeather Před rokem +8

      @@TechMindsOfficial Thanks, I would love to see a comparison video, and I also look forward to the video of stupid comments! 😂

    • @e2jw
      @e2jw Před rokem +2

      @@TechMindsOfficial OK, I would like to ask Mr. Nicely to do a comparison video of the EFHW with the active loop HF antenna... but who is Mr. Nicely?
      My attempt as an American at British humor, or maybe just a bad dad joke, but either way, I'd love to see the video mate. :)

    • @blacksmock445
      @blacksmock445 Před rokem +2

      @@TechMindsOfficial A Scandinavian amateur commented sometime ago that he didn't finally evaluate an antenna until he had used it for several months so he could test it under varying conditions. As you correctly point out, HF reception hasn't been exactly brilliant recently. As to mounting it at least a quarter wavelength above ground when mounting horizontally, this might be a bit difficult for MW DXers. I hear that a suitable structure at Droitwich might become available next year. A comparison video or one after a longer-term evaluation would definitely be useful. Always enjoy your videos.

    • @eddelarie8161
      @eddelarie8161 Před rokem +1

      @@TechMindsOfficial Actually, while on that subject. I would appreciate that very much.
      73's Ed

  • @juliocesarpereira4325
    @juliocesarpereira4325 Před rokem +1

    Loop antennas and a radio with great Noise Blanker and DSP filter are what makes my SWLing hobby possible. This antenna really caught my attention for its portability, ruggedness and quality. I've already sent Cross Country Wireless and email. Thanks

  • @Frank_K4FMH
    @Frank_K4FMH Před 9 měsíci +3

    Matt, I ordered on after watching this the first time. Chris told me that your video generated six months of orders in two weeks! Once I got the loop, I've been testing it in my RF workbench room, hung from a bracket holding up some of my telescoping poles and excess PVC pipes. Even in this harsh environment, it's excellent. I've been a customer of Andy Iken at Wellsbrook for years. This loop by CCW appears to be the successor to that standard. I'll install it outside soon. Thanks for the video!

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před 9 měsíci

      That's great news, I'm glad it worked well for you. Thanks!

  • @tonymagnier9846
    @tonymagnier9846 Před rokem +7

    Looks really unique and discreet looking unlike the much larger loops, probably ideal on a rotator when installed vertically. Would've liked if they had it go below 500khz but cant have it all. Thanks for sharing and would be interesting to compare this is a say Wellbrook, W6LVP etc.

  • @powrline99
    @powrline99 Před 9 měsíci

    Ahoy! Maryland, US, North America. Thank you so much for posting this video.

  • @maikerumine
    @maikerumine Před rokem +1

    Next antenna for me!!! Thank you for the review!!

  • @n1vca
    @n1vca Před rokem +2

    Interesting to see this very low impedance approach with two loops most likely in parallel.
    It would have been so much better if you had switched back and forth between and electrical wire antenna and this magnetic one. Every single day I receive FT8 signals from all continents almost all the time, just on different bands and I am just using a magnetic loop in the attic of a very noisy multi family home. So I guess you refer to what you can hear on SSB and not what you can receive with in FT8 with e.g. an SDR and a raspberry pi WebSDR image.
    It could be a really good design and I'd be happy to see the antenna in relation to a traditional electrical antenna (e.g. longwire/beam/vertical).
    I am happy to hear you are often testing equipment unbiased and payed with your own money. 👍
    Makes this channel much more interesting when you know its actually real and and honest representation of what you might experience.

  • @Steve_Wardley_G6JEF
    @Steve_Wardley_G6JEF Před rokem +2

    It's sad to see all the negative comments for what is a very informative video, it was as technical as it needed to be as a product introduction, one of which I have ordered as a result of seeing this. Even if other products perform better, for my circumstances this antenna is ideal to run on my SDR Play and I don't think the price is bad considering what it would cost to gather all the components together and those you'd waste buying several to get one.

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +1

      Exactly! Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it a lot! Matt

  • @bourasabdennour8369
    @bourasabdennour8369 Před rokem +2

    Nice inforlative content as usual, keep up the good work 👍

  • @robertbruce7686
    @robertbruce7686 Před rokem +2

    Excellent rx only mag loop 👍

  • @steveverhoef5667
    @steveverhoef5667 Před rokem +2

    This looks brilliant. My current setup is deaf for the first 300km. This might pair up nicely

  • @steveverhoef5667
    @steveverhoef5667 Před rokem +2

    Thanks!

  • @Wildlandfirefighting
    @Wildlandfirefighting Před 5 měsíci

    Thank you for the great review, would be nice to see so.e real time comparison between this and a known good antenna like a wire dipole or efhw and also your thoughts on performance compared to other low profile sw antennas like the X1-HF

  • @gavinthomas8880
    @gavinthomas8880 Před rokem +4

    Looks effective Mat. I’d like to see a comparison with a Wellbrook loop - I have an ALA 1530 - although sadly Wellbrook are closing down due to retirement. PS I’m still missing the old intro music

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +2

      Old intro music is now at the end of the video, so you have to watch the video to get to the music haha. Yeh, I'm seeing lots of comments about doing a comparison with another antenna. Unfortunately I don't own every antenna and the only antenna I can compare it against is my EFHW, which I did, and of course the EFHW was better on all bands apart from 160M. However, those that are looking for an antenna like this wouldn't being doing so if they could fit large amounts of wire in the air :-) Cheers

  • @neilcoley9464
    @neilcoley9464 Před 11 měsíci +2

    Comments on here are the reason why people switch off from ham radio. The hobby is full of "know alls" slagging off other peoples achievements. Chris at CCW is a top bloke but unlike many, doesn't spend his time gobbing off about his knowledge - his products do that for him. CCW gear is spot on.

  • @jamescady723
    @jamescady723 Před rokem +1

    Nice!

  • @greilly1982
    @greilly1982 Před rokem +3

    Hi love the videos and thanks for posting this one as its opened the door for a new antenna for me. Would really love a comparison video against the mla 30 please a lot of people would like to step up if its a lower noise floor and can pull in the waek ones and i think seems the bands are a bit rubbish now it be fantastic to see the difference.
    But anyway keep up the good work love your channel in life you will always get idiots its just the way it is i presume you have got a hard skin towards them iver the years maybe he is annoyed about something in his personal life and is typing the rage out 😅 all in all thanks for keeping me educated appreciated

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem

      You're welcome! I will get around to doing a comparison video once I get this antenna mounted up on the mast. Thanks for watching :-)

  • @ohaya1
    @ohaya1 Před rokem +2

    Does anyone have any insight into why the website does not list the price but instead asks to contact them for a quote?

  • @bodstrup
    @bodstrup Před rokem

    Hi - always valuable videos you post. I have very limited garden size - currently testing a Youloop vs a about 15 meter wire I was able to drag across some trees at the end of the garden. The wire antenna performs a LOT better than the Youloop. How would the Active RX Loop compare to the Youloop ? any chance of noticeable better performance ?

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem

      The only advice I can give you is that if you can stretch out a piece of wire, high as possible, it will output any of these small loops. Unfortunately though I have not compared this antenna to any others, as of yet, but a lot of people have asked for this. So once I get the antenna installed on my mast I will make a comparison video. Cheers

  • @justDIY
    @justDIY Před rokem +3

    All it's missing is an up-coverter so we don't have to use direct sampling on low end SDRs.

  • @billryland6199
    @billryland6199 Před rokem +3

    I would like to see a direct comparison in real time between the loop antenna and a resonant half wave.

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +1

      If you speak with Chris via his website I’m sure he’ll send you one to do some comparisons. Of course you will have to buy the antenna from him though, cheers.

  • @L1RW
    @L1RW Před rokem

    I have a HF discone, mounted on a 12 ft mast, on the house. It’s great for shortwave (including SSB and CW) FM, Airband and DAB, but awful on LW and MW. Even though it stated it covered 500khz to 30mhz.

  • @petewright2283
    @petewright2283 Před rokem +1

    I’ve been thinking of buying one for ages. If you wana get rid Matt I’ll have it

  • @tlebryk
    @tlebryk Před rokem

    Suggested comparison would be A/B comparison showing the signal/noise ratio in real time on an SDR waterfall. Also, I wonder if it can be mounted vertical and rotated?

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem

      Thanks, I will include that in my next video on this product. I believe that when mounting vertically you do get some slight nulls from the sides, so a rotator might help. However I have not tested that yet but I plan too.

  • @duncan9237
    @duncan9237 Před 4 měsíci

    Ive got a old rotator i could use if needed so is this best mounted horizontal or vertical for general hf use

  • @GeorgeLiquor
    @GeorgeLiquor Před rokem

    I really want something like this, but I can't get it above the roof. I'm worried that the surrounding buildings would block out signal

  • @MoonVision_1
    @MoonVision_1 Před rokem

    Think I'll stick to my excellent MLA30+ it's pretty much unbeatable.. be interesting to see Gilles in Canada test this though

  • @ruggugglan
    @ruggugglan Před rokem +2

    compare it with the mla30 plz..just some frequensies

  • @petewright2283
    @petewright2283 Před rokem +1

    Matt have you an MLA30+ you can do a side by side on? I’ve got one I’d be happy to send you for the test.

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem

      Hey Pete, thanks for the offer. I believe I have the one I reviewed somewhere in my garage. I’ll have to dig it out and do a comparison video. Lots of people being mean to me because I didn’t compare it against anything else 😥

  • @jasonodette8607
    @jasonodette8607 Před rokem

    As a Ham Radio operator i am very familiar with Magnetic Loop Antennas . For one of my hf receive antennas, i have a Magnetic receive Loop antenna made by Larry W6LVP .
    For one, comparing this antenna to a EFHW would only be reliveant if you understand the signal to noise ratio benefits of this antenna especially if mounted vertically and at 5 meter or more plus having it mounted on a router so you are able to rotate it and null out qrm .
    Thank you for the review, you've peek my interest . Check out W6LVP

  • @TheZimberto
    @TheZimberto Před rokem +10

    Open it please. It would be good to see where there money is spent.

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +1

      You can buy one and open it yourself. I don’t want to damage any waterproofing as I plan to install this on my main mast, 20m up in the air.

    • @TheZimberto
      @TheZimberto Před rokem +7

      @TechMindsOfficial it's 150 quid. That's a lot for what might just be a cheap amp and two pieces of coax. 😀 You didn't compare its performance to anything else, so who knows?

    • @user-wg3fe3ij2o
      @user-wg3fe3ij2o Před rokem

      Their not there

  • @KennethiSlite
    @KennethiSlite Před rokem +1

    Would be more interesting to see some of the technical solutions. And a test should compare it with another antenna, long wire or some other known reference.

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +3

      160M was the only ham band where it appeared to receive better than my EFHW. But I would not really do a proper comparison with the antenna so low to the ground. It would of been unfair. However I do plan on installing this antenna up on my mast in the near future. At that point i could make a fair comparison against my EFHW at least. Thanks.

  • @olivierconet7995
    @olivierconet7995 Před rokem

    Very interesting test. What was connected to Antenna B of the SDR ?

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +1

      There was times I switched to my EFHW, but the sample clips were recorded at different times, and therefore ANT B was not always the EFHW. 99.9999% of the clips are this antenna shown, apart from when I quickly switched.

    • @RoelandJansen
      @RoelandJansen Před rokem

      Don't switch. Record stereo...

  • @KD9ZHF
    @KD9ZHF Před 3 měsíci

    Gosh, I want to buy one but they are always out of stock, and now they are doing a shop move and won't be making more until Summer!

  • @videotrexx
    @videotrexx Před rokem

    Were your sample clips all made with the antenna mounted horizontally?

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +1

      It was a mixture. Band conditions were extremely poor at the time of recording and switching polarisation is not a quick task. I plan to install this permanently up on my mast, horizontally, then it will be high enough.

    • @videotrexx
      @videotrexx Před rokem

      @@TechMindsOfficial thanks for the reply, and I'm thinking that this mounted horizontally with a discone mounted above it would make for a fairly compact setup but would cover from broadcast all the way up to 1300 MHz.

  • @johnemmons9087
    @johnemmons9087 Před rokem

    Open it up! Surely you can line up the rectangular o ring!

  • @user-ln2sy6lp3m
    @user-ln2sy6lp3m Před 2 měsíci

    Здравствуйте. Как я могу купить эту антенну?

  • @keithd.glasgow809
    @keithd.glasgow809 Před rokem

    It does not seem to appear on your US Amazon storefront

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +1

      Yeh, you have to purchase direct from the company that makes them. I dont think they sell on Amazon just yet.

    • @BradBolton-wq6ub
      @BradBolton-wq6ub Před 16 dny

      I have looked and can’t seem to find anywhere in the US that sells them or a way to get this here… any advice?

  • @Ghost_Swe
    @Ghost_Swe Před rokem

    They don't show prices on their page.....

    • @la7dfa
      @la7dfa Před rokem +1

      @brianwilliams8620
      for 1 måned siden
      £150 + £10 postage will stick to the end fed antenna i think.Nice product though.

  • @KA4UPW
    @KA4UPW Před rokem +2

    No A vs B comparison? How do you know it worked worth a damn

    • @la7dfa
      @la7dfa Před rokem

      You really need to have a second antenna at the same height if you want to do that. But I agree it is quite difficult to know the performance. It is a bit like when you see top scores on Eham for antennas that are 1% effective due to size and basic design.

  • @kepkopke
    @kepkopke Před měsícem

    Great job! As always about nothing!

  • @garykohtala3936
    @garykohtala3936 Před rokem

    Has anyone tried this antenna with an SDR such as SDRPlay, etc? Most of them are deaf unless one connects a substantial antenna. Would like to take my SDRPlay RSP2 with me on travels, with a small portable antenna. Best regards, Gary, K7EK

  • @elektronikvideos-bremen2873

    Teardown please!

  • @brianwilliams8620
    @brianwilliams8620 Před rokem +1

    £150 + £10 postage will stick to the end fed antenna i think.Nice product though.

  • @duanetrivett750
    @duanetrivett750 Před rokem

    I think I found my Christmas present !

  • @pauls8456
    @pauls8456 Před rokem

    I like your reviews but this one would have been improved by clear A and B switching as a comparison.

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +1

      It wouldn’t of been a fair comparison with it being so low to the ground. However, it would appear others feel the same as you do, so once I have this antenna up on my mast, I will do another video showing a comparison between this and my EFHW. Not sure when that will be, but I’ll defo make one. Cheers

    • @pauls8456
      @pauls8456 Před rokem

      @@TechMindsOfficial look forward to it, thanks.

  • @ammocraft
    @ammocraft Před rokem +3

    Maybe not sponsored, but there is little difference between sponsored and free product in exchange for review, so for transparency it would be good to know if the goods go back after the review, or are kept at no cost. 👍

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +2

      It's irrelevant, the video would of been exactly the same in any manner in which I received the product. Just like * ALL* my videos, I show you everything that I am doing and then show the results. There is not one single video or product that I have shown on this channel where I have been offered something in return for a favourable review, that would go against my ethos for this channel. Thanks for the comment though.

    • @ammocraft
      @ammocraft Před rokem +2

      @@TechMindsOfficial I never said you were offered something ONLY for a favourable review, nor that you were biased in any way.... but I disagree it's irrelevant. There is a HUGE difference between keeping (for free) a product you review and sending it back after the review. One has monetary gain, and the other doesn't. Transparency is everything, so as you are obviously unbiased, just be open as to whether it's a freebie or not so people know, instead of the ambiguous " not sponsored" vernacular. Shills are ruining so may genres on CZcams, we need the established channels to lead by example.

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +1

      You are not the first and won’t be the last to bring this up. I agree that there may be people out there who are literally bribed to say good things about products, just have to look on Amazon reviews for that, but I am really tired of explaining my point of view. It IS irrelevant for ME! Because as I said, if I got something for free, or I paid for it, would NOT change what any of my video shows. I always show true results. Either people believe this or they don’t, and if they don’t then don’t watch my videos, I don’t care, it’s their loss. I can’t be arsed with conversations like this anymore, it wastes my time.

    • @ammocraft
      @ammocraft Před rokem +1

      @@TechMindsOfficial Fair enough, it is your channel and therefore your choice, though it is important to me. Thanks for the response, and I wish you well. 👍

    • @Steve_Wardley_G6JEF
      @Steve_Wardley_G6JEF Před rokem

      @@TechMindsOfficial Well said.

  • @yanovich3234
    @yanovich3234 Před rokem +4

    Thanks.. But, without a comparison with other antennas, this is pretty meaningless.. Apart from demonstrating that it works..

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +1

      Of course it’s not meaningless! And a comparison is not needed. A comparison would be nice of cause, but this is marketed towards people that are not able to install large wire or yagi antennas. So why would someone need a comparison against those? It’s like saying if I reviewed a car to see how fast it goes I have to compare it to every other car. I think not.

    • @yanovich3234
      @yanovich3234 Před rokem +1

      @@TechMindsOfficial Errm..

  • @mpm990
    @mpm990 Před rokem

    227£ with taxes to bring the product to France ... too expensive !!

  • @FutureLineRoy
    @FutureLineRoy Před rokem +10

    Why are such antennas always so over priced? You can see the amateurish construction of it. Still asking the top price. A big shame.

    • @mitchmitchell7470
      @mitchmitchell7470 Před 11 měsíci

      Totally agree, I’ve purchased antennas from companies paid 100s , my 14 year old could have done better

    • @KD9ZHF
      @KD9ZHF Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@mitchmitchell7470You should put your 14 yo to work then to help save up for uni.

  • @galileo_rs
    @galileo_rs Před rokem +12

    A product review without a tear down is ...

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem +8

      Perfectly fine.. You don't find car or boat reviews being taken apart do you?

    • @galileo_rs
      @galileo_rs Před rokem +4

      ​@@TechMindsOfficial Is this an unboxing channel or a tech channel?

  • @vkham9944
    @vkham9944 Před rokem +3

    HF performer ? Just noisy amplifier. 😒

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem

      It was a lot quieter than my EFHW, even though signals stronger on the EFHW, could tell the loop was quieter.

  • @haroldw9047
    @haroldw9047 Před rokem

    I've seen So Many scams when tv antennas. Tell me how many miles will this tv antenna travel. I see many that say 100 miles plus and you might get that if you live at a place your showing this no trees open areas for many miles. How about in they
    country with trees everywhere. I haven't really found a tv antenna that works very well at all and the claims some make line 150 miles plus are pure complete lies and I'd be willing to bet money on that Big money to

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem

      Hmmmm.. Luckily it's NOT a tv antenna...

    • @haroldw9047
      @haroldw9047 Před rokem

      @@TechMindsOfficial ok then explain what it is used for then. If not for A TV or TV Reception then what's it's use

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem

      I’m pretty sure the video was explains what it’s used for. For receiving radio transmissions 30 MHz and below

    • @haroldw9047
      @haroldw9047 Před rokem

      When I pulled up this video in was looking for tv antennas and apparently this has NOTHING to do with or for a television or it's reception at least that's what I've been told. If so excuse my comments

  • @petercharleslaurent
    @petercharleslaurent Před rokem

    Ridiculous ! a long wire has more RX

    • @TechMindsOfficial
      @TechMindsOfficial  Před rokem

      Well of course it has! If someone has the space for a long wire, then they wouldnt buy an antenna like this. It’s designed for those that live in apartments, or extreme limited space. Can’t believe I have to explain this, it’s ridiculous!