In article ,
"Justis" wrote:

Tried the MFJ-1024 and it's definitely going back. Quieter reception
and seems like more gain on my zigzag "array". I even do better with
my TPA Ameco active antenna, indoors. Too much gain and it
overloads, backing off the gain and it's just not equal to wire mess
in my backyard.

SNIP

Build a loop antenna.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

Telamon wrote:
In article ,
"Justis" wrote:

Tried the MFJ-1024 and it's definitely going back. Quieter reception
and seems like more gain on my zigzag "array". I even do better with
my TPA Ameco active antenna, indoors. Too much gain and it
overloads, backing off the gain and it's just not equal to wire mess
in my backyard.

SNIP

Build a loop antenna.

As I pointed out, it (MFJ-1024) works fine out here in the Wild American
West, where there is no HF to overload the mediocre active elements.
The only problem with loops is that they work a lot better if they are
resonated, which requires a variable capacitor outdoors.

On Jun 24, 5:46*am, Dave wrote:
Telamon wrote:
In article ,
*"Justis" wrote:

Tried the MFJ-1024 and it's definitely going back. *Quieter reception
and seems like more gain on my zigzag "array". I even do better with
my TPA Ameco active antenna, indoors. *Too much gain and it
overloads, backing off the gain and it's just not equal to wire mess
in my backyard.

SNIP

- - Build a loop antenna.

- As I pointed out, it (MFJ-1024) works fine out here
- in the Wild American West, where there is no HF
- to overload the mediocre active elements.
- The only problem with loops is that they work a lot
- better if they are resonated, which requires a variable
- capacitor outdoors.

? Loop Antenna +plus+ Active Whip Antenna ?

Converting the an small short Active Whip Antenna
into a small Terminated Loop Active Antenna.

Replace the MFJ-1024 Active Antenna's Whip Element with
a single turn One Metre Diameter Loop Antenna Element.

NOTE - The One Metre Diameter Loop Antenna Element
is about 10.3 Feet (124") Long and has a Signal Appeture
Area of around 8.4 Square Feet. -while- The original Whip
Antenna was only 54" Long with a relative Signal Appeture
Area of around 1.2 Square Feet.

* Near-End of the Loop Antenna Element is attached /
connected to the Mounting Stud for the Whip Element.

* The Far-End of the Loop Antenna Element is connected
via a Shunt/Bleed Resistor to the Grounded Body of the
MFJ-1024 Active Antenna's Mast Head Unit.

* Start with a 680 K Ohm Shunt/Bleed Resistor and test
for a =Balance= between RF Signal Strength Across the
MW and/or Shortwave Radio Bands and RF Signal Over
Load from 'local' AM & FM Radio Stations.
* * Adjust the Resistance Value of the Resistor :
Up -if- RF Signal Levels are Low 1.3 MÙ
2.7 MÙ, 5.6 MÙ, 11 MÙ, 22 MÙ, 44 MÙ,
* * Adjust the Resistance Value of the Resistor :
Up -if- RF Signal Levels are Low 1.3 MÙ, 2.7 MÙ, 5.6 MÙ,
11 MÙ, 22 MÙ, 44 MÙ, etc.
* * Adjust the Resistance Value of the Resistor :
Down -if- RF Signal Levels are OK but there is Overload
430 KÙ, 270 KÙ, 180 KÙ, 120 KÙ, 82 KÙ, 56 KÙ, etc.

FWIW - This is a 'small' Terminated Loop Antenna Element
and is still some what Directional. So you can position the
Loop Antenna Element to :
* Null-Out 'local' sources of RF Noise.
* Null-Out Overload from 'local' AM & FM Radio Stations.


even though you think you have it whipped . . .
it is often better to be in-the-loop - iane ~ RHF {pomkia}