Coax losses for SWL and MWL
 

I'm learning alot from this NG!
I have a couple of questions: My antenna (RF Systems MTA) installation
will require a 60' run of coax, which of these coaxes would be the most
efficient for SW and MW listening, RG-8, RG-8U or RG-8X?
I already have 50' of RG-8 and 50' of RG-8U but, I've noticed that
Universal Radio is selling the RG-8X.
After spending big $$$ on this antenna I just want to make sure that I
get the most I can from it!!!
I also have a Archer Antenna Discharge Unit Radio Shack Catalog #
20-021, should I use this in this installation?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Larry

Larry Echols wrote:

I'm learning alot from this NG!
I have a couple of questions: My antenna (RF Systems MTA) installation
will require a 60' run of coax, which of these coaxes would be the most
efficient for SW and MW listening, RG-8, RG-8U or RG-8X?
I already have 50' of RG-8 and 50' of RG-8U but, I've noticed that
Universal Radio is selling the RG-8X.
After spending big $$$ on this antenna I just want to make sure that I
get the most I can from it!!!
I also have a Archer Antenna Discharge Unit Radio Shack Catalog #
20-021, should I use this in this installation?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Larry

Anyone of those coax types will work just fine. I just looked at that
antenna, and it seems awfully small.

Steve
Holland, MI

Drake R7, R8 and R8B
BC895XLT and PRO-2045

200' and 70' wires, matching transformers and Stridsberg multicoupler on
HF.

Ouch, I just looked at the price of that MTA antanna! It amazes me how much
the Dutch want for their stuff.

Larry Echols wrote:

I'm learning alot from this NG!
I have a couple of questions: My antenna (RF Systems MTA) installation
will require a 60' run of coax, which of these coaxes would be the most
efficient for SW and MW listening, RG-8, RG-8U or RG-8X?
I already have 50' of RG-8 and 50' of RG-8U but, I've noticed that
Universal Radio is selling the RG-8X.
After spending big $$$ on this antenna I just want to make sure that I
get the most I can from it!!!
I also have a Archer Antenna Discharge Unit Radio Shack Catalog #
20-021, should I use this in this installation?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Larry

N8KVD,

Thanks for the reply.
Yeah, the MTA is pretty expensive. Universal Radio claims that the U.S.
Govt. buys a lot of these antennas for use in our overseas Embassies
with excellent results.
Can't wait to put mine up to find out.

Larry

"N8KDV" wrote in message ...


Anyone of those coax types will work just fine. I just looked at that
antenna, and it seems awfully small.


================================================== ======================

You're right its not very big. About 7' tall and 1.25" in diameter.
Its helically wound internally with a built in MLB. In the past Ive had up
the antennas you seem to have ,, a 200' wire and later a 70' wire with an
MLB. Without any doubt I can say the MTA outperformed my 70'
wire with MLB. With the 70' wire I had, noise ruined most weak signal
stuff, that I can get fairly easily now. I don't have the room for a 200'er
anymore cause I don't live on a double lot anymore. The MTA is one
of the most quiet antennas Ive ever used and most of the time more
signal isn't the answer, lower noise is. I think short of a true longwire
with a MLB, the only thing thats going to beat the MTA is a antenna
cut for a specific freq. IMO. You are right the Dutch want a lot of
money for their stuff. But it does seem to be pretty indestructible,
where I have had wires brought down by ice and wind. Im not saying
its the best for all occasions but its a very good compromise for
general SW listening.


Jeff


Jeff

Larry Echols wrote:

N8KVD,

Thanks for the reply.
Yeah, the MTA is pretty expensive. Universal Radio claims that the U.S.
Govt. buys a lot of these antennas for use in our overseas Embassies
with excellent results.
Can't wait to put mine up to find out.

Larry

Yes, it's pretty expensive for what amounts to a 7' wire and a matching
transformer. Total cost to make your own (sans plastic pipe of course)
$20.00.

Jeff Santee wrote:

"N8KDV" wrote in message ...


Anyone of those coax types will work just fine. I just looked at that
antenna, and it seems awfully small.


================================================== ======================

You're right its not very big. About 7' tall and 1.25" in diameter.
Its helically wound internally with a built in MLB. In the past Ive had up
the antennas you seem to have ,, a 200' wire and later a 70' wire with an
MLB. Without any doubt I can say the MTA outperformed my 70'
wire with MLB. With the 70' wire I had, noise ruined most weak signal
stuff, that I can get fairly easily now. I don't have the room for a 200'er
anymore cause I don't live on a double lot anymore. The MTA is one
of the most quiet antennas Ive ever used and most of the time more
signal isn't the answer, lower noise is.

Yes, it's quiet because it's just a 7' wire antenna.

I think short of a true longwire
with a MLB, the only thing thats going to beat the MTA is a antenna
cut for a specific freq. IMO.

That's hard to believe, as I stated above, it's just a 7' wire antenna with a matching
transformer. Nothing more, nothing less. I'd put my 70' wire, with the matching transformer up
against it any day. However, if noise is your issue, I guess what works, works.

You are right the Dutch want a lot of
money for their stuff. But it does seem to be pretty indestructible,
where I have had wires brought down by ice and wind. Im not saying
its the best for all occasions but its a very good compromise for
general SW listening.

Jeff

Jeff

Larry, let us know how it works. I have a 210ft longwire antenna with an RF
Systems MLB and 25ft of undergound coax... the only noise that I receive is
from atmospheric conditions... it's an awfully quiet setup at the moment.


-Nick

"Larry Echols" wrote in message
...
N8KVD,

Thanks for the reply.
Yeah, the MTA is pretty expensive. Universal Radio claims that the U.S.
Govt. buys a lot of these antennas for use in our overseas Embassies
with excellent results.
Can't wait to put mine up to find out.

Larry

RG-58 is just fine for receiving below 30 megaHertz. Using bigger
cable is a waste.

On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 14:54:21 -0400 (EDT), (Larry
Echols) wrote:

I'm learning alot from this NG!
I have a couple of questions: My antenna (RF Systems MTA) installation
will require a 60' run of coax, which of these coaxes would be the most
efficient for SW and MW listening, RG-8, RG-8U or RG-8X?
I already have 50' of RG-8 and 50' of RG-8U but, I've noticed that
Universal Radio is selling the RG-8X.
After spending big $$$ on this antenna I just want to make sure that I
get the most I can from it!!!
I also have a Archer Antenna Discharge Unit Radio Shack Catalog #
20-021, should I use this in this installation?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Larry

"N8KDV" wrote in message ...




Yes, it's quiet because it's just a 7' wire antenna.


================================================== ========================

No its more than 7'. The instructions that come with it clearly state it is
a helically wound antenna with so much percent in the horizontal plane and so
many percent being in the vertical plane so its more than a 7' wire inside. If
it were just a 7' wire it would all be in the vertical plane. In all likelyhood its
probably more on the order of somewhere between 20 and 30' in a helical
arrangement. Whether or not its worth 200.00$ I guess is another story.
for me I think it is, its indestructable, it has withstood 70 mph winds, it has
a nice stainless steel mount making it easy to grd. right at the antenna. It is
filled with a urethane foam to keep out moisture and prevent it from making
noise when blowing around, and like you say it works quite well. And it
most definately worked better than my 70' wire with its S-1 to S-3 noise
level.


Jeff

I ordered my new SWL station yesterday from Universal Radio.
I purchased a new Grundig Satellit 800 along with the MTA antenna.
Unfortunately, the antenna is on backorder and, in transit from Holland.
So it appears that I'll get to play with the radio minus the ext.
antenna for a little while.
I will let the NG know how the MTA antenna effects the reception once I
get it.

Larry

Larry Echols wrote:

I ordered my new SWL station yesterday from Universal Radio.
I purchased a new Grundig Satellit 800 along with the MTA antenna.
Unfortunately, the antenna is on backorder and, in transit from Holland.
So it appears that I'll get to play with the radio minus the ext.
antenna for a little while.
I will let the NG know how the MTA antenna effects the reception once I
get it.

Larry

IMHO I still think you could have yourself a much better antenna, and pocket
the extra loot to boot by building your own antenna.

Steve
Holland, MI

Drake R7, R8 and R8B

I don't disagree, it is very possible that I could have made or bought a
better SWL antenna!
My wife asked me to seriously consider the MTA because she didn't want a
longwire or sloper strung up outside.
If I don't like the MTA, I'll try to sell it and then try something
else.
If it works well, then I'll consider it $200.00 well spent.
For me, it's worth a try!
I'll share the results.

Larry

N8KDV,

At least from what I have read about the MTA Antenna.

Isn't the MTA Antenna akin to the BroomStick Antenna.
- A Helical Coiled Antenna Element(s).
- - Seven(7) Foot Vertical Antenna
- - - Enclosed in a PVC Tube.

Except the MTA has some form of Matching Transformer built into Antenna Tube.


iwtk ~ RHF
..
..
= = = N8KDV
= = = wrote in message ...
Larry Echols wrote:

I ordered my new SWL station yesterday from Universal Radio.
I purchased a new Grundig Satellit 800 along with the MTA antenna.
Unfortunately, the antenna is on backorder and, in transit from Holland.
So it appears that I'll get to play with the radio minus the ext.
antenna for a little while.
I will let the NG know how the MTA antenna effects the reception once I
get it.

Larry

IMHO I still think you could have yourself a much better antenna, and pocket
the extra loot to boot by building your own antenna.

Steve
Holland, MI

Drake R7, R8 and R8B

RHF wrote:

N8KDV,

At least from what I have read about the MTA Antenna.

Isn't the MTA Antenna akin to the BroomStick Antenna.
- A Helical Coiled Antenna Element(s).
- - Seven(7) Foot Vertical Antenna
- - - Enclosed in a PVC Tube.

Except the MTA has some form of Matching Transformer built into Antenna Tube.

It would appear that that's all it is.

Steve
Holland, MI

Drake R7, R8 and R8B