MLA 30 Active Shortwave Loop Antenna And Build 

Sma wire broke, going into the radio bought a heavier duty one, as soon as i plugged it in it worked. Im impressed. I AM AMAZED HOW GOOD THIS WORKS, WOW

Helpful hint, you can get a pvc tee which fits on the end of the pipe. You don't even have to glue it..... Another thing , I use a USB battery pack to power it when going on a picnic or camping, it lasts for hours. Great video thanks for the information 73.

I bought the MLA30+ and installed it on a 3 metre plastic tube then fitted it outside on my eaves. Powered by a usb power bank feeding my Tecsun S2000, I have to say ,this antenna is brilliant. It’s very low noise and really pulls the stations in at night. I’ve since raised the MLA30+ up on a fibreglass mast about 6metres high so it’s well above my bungalow roof, And rewired the cable with RG8X from amplifier to receiver. The difference is quite amazing. People say that height doesn’t make a difference to this aerial, but I’ve now proved otherwise.

Great video. I just got my loop antenna yesterday, and there were no instructions included. Your video was perfect - just what I needed. Thanks for posting this.

This might sound nuts, if the SW antenna that I get doesn't work, I would get this guy and then go full out arts and crafts on it and conceal it in a wreath or wood embroidery hoop with a small sign saying "Ohm Sweet Ohm" and hang it on a window or in the apartment.

As an SWL I have also experimented with long-wire-antennas in the last few years. But this antenna is the best solution for me. I am very very satisfied with it and I wish I had discovered it earlier. 👍

While I don't know much about these types of radios, this information could really come in handy one day; maybe even save my life. Thanks for the video and information, stay safe out there and God bless!

The bias T is what injects the 5 volts DC into the coax to run the preamp that is in the little box attached to the bottom of the loop. The put the preamp at the antenna to boost the signal coming into the receiver.

Ordered the MLA-30 on Amazon and ended up getting the MLA-30+. Bags were labeled with the older number but the T itself is labeled with the newer number. Factory probably just started switching over. Nice “plus”, lol. Thanks for the share, with winter coming in the northeast I wanted to get this in place now.

Hi, just to clarify, the little box is not the pre amplifier of the antenna. It is the power supply to the big box on the bottom of the loop. Some SDR's like SDR Play have this built in and don't need the little box. Thanks for taking the time to produce the video.

I know this video about two years old and you've probably moved things around by now but anyway loop antennas don't need to have hight to receive or even transmitt well, but in this case in the video it should at least clear the fence or the fence will make it some what directional, I us this antenna with a 1/2" copper refrigeratorant tube it's amazing how well it works.

Wow! I heard the lady's voice from WWVH just before the man's voice. Good catch!

Nice demonstration, thanks for sharing

Thanks for the tutorial!!!

Thank you so much for this tutorial !

I ordered an MLA-30. Great video. You explained the assembly very well

I love to build kits, and have all sorts of crap that I never use for anything but the build was fun. Arduinos are my unit of choice and I have a half dozen WIFI radios in the house. Of course they are not real radios but wifi receivers that are programmed to play wifi radio stations from around the world. They are only useful where there is a good wifi connection that is open or you have the sign in data for. As far as Shortwave I love listening, and have several SDA setups that I plug into my laptop and play with but my house seems to be a great Faraday cage, very little signals can penetrate the walls or the steel roof that is in place after several nasty hail storms like most of the town shingles are a thing of the past, to much work after storms where the steel can be ripped off and replaced in a couple of days. Even the local AM/FM radio signals barley penetrate, and only some parts of the house can receive signals from the large Antenna some 1.5 miles from my home. Annoying to say the least. Several years ago I got my Technician ticket to operate on the Ham band, and it was wonderful while my wife was still with me and we traveled across the Southwest during the winter month .but we came home and during the covid deal, my wife developed Cancer, Since the hospital was closed to outpatient surgery, they could not do the tests to find the Cancer till it was far to late, she passed away 3 month after being diagnosed. She had the cancer in her stomach at first and virtually starved to death. I held her hand till the last. I was debilitated for a year and a half till my MD actually helped me out of the deep depression of the loss. Great man that DR. Anyhow now I am ancient and stuck in this damn house made of steel My ham ticket remains idle since I am the only one in my town with a ham license, the nearest 2 meter repeater is 26 miles away and I can hit it from my car but none of my little hand held transceivers can tap the repeater even though it is high atop a butte. This antenna should be the ticket for my getting back into shortwave listening. When I was a boy in the 50's and 60's I loved reading the back pages of Popular Electronics with their ham reports and drooled at the shortwave radios available back then. I even found an old SW set in the City Dump, the place were my buddy and I used for our shopping center as we were dirt poor back then, so I could listen to the SW bands that used to be filled with propaganda from Cuba, the Soviet Block and The Voice of America. I hear VOA is back up and running once more broadcasting to the Ukraine again. I hope it penetrates the Russian blockages, we learned years ago that the Shortwave bands are so plentiful that one nation could hardly block them all.

Very helpful!!! Thank you!!!

Thank you for the video.

thanks, I bought the antenna previously but it didn't come with any instructions and while it looked straight forward I wanted to be sure there wasn't something I was missing.

👍 Very interesting video. Tks

Thank you very much for a very informative item. I wondered about the twisted loop. Mine is doubled at the moment! De G7OGX 73

THKS

I built my MLA-30+ the same way but with a cap on top for looks

nice video :) So, glad Thrive has more chicken in stock!!!

Excellent video. I'm awaiting delivery of one of these MLA30+ same as the one here, which is reportedly a lot better than the original MLA 30

IM about to buy the same set up for my bed room i dont have a yard to play with :)

Very awesome 📡 antenna it makes a huge difference too I had one sent to me from frank viglietta he has a shop in ringwood NJ 07456 hes a friend of my family and ham operator wdx2p 73s man awesome great video and anteena it gets in amazing reception inside my apartment im on 2nd floor in willcox a z

🙏❤️🇺🇸🇨🇱 from Central Texas

Camouflage on the pole is a key detail. Sleek!

I just put mine together last night and hung it on some tacks here in my computer room. I am in Connecticut with an ATS 20+ and picking up zero channels unless I disconnect and put the radio's whip antenna back on. I understand that the MLA 30 is supposed to work better outside, but I have a terrible feeling something in wrong with my new antenna. :-(

I live in a rural area with a large back yard. Would a long wire antenna be better for my situation? I'll be using it on a vintage 1949-50 9 tube Hallicrafters S40-A with screw terminals for the antenna that I've restored.

Great vid. I'm a Newb and just got an Eton Elite Excutive. Works great. Getting lots of stuff, I especially like listening to sidebands/ham. What cable would I need to connect this to a standard 3.5 mini jack antenna input? Subbed!

Would this work as a good shortwave antenna to put in my attic. If not. What is a good attic antenna for shortwave. I need one that will cancel out alot of noise.

Ohhhhh SDR! Would love to see a video on that.

A owner of this antenna told me changing the direction of the antenna makes no difference. I am wondering if the preamp in the box contains just a high impedance input matching circuit to the input of the preamp making it broadband.

Thank you! Amazing review. Just ordered a MLA-30. I will be plugging it into a XHData D808, which has an external antenna input. Can you please tell me what are the connectors/ adapter I need for it? Do I need a SMA male to a 3.5 mm mono male?

I'm new to SW radio. I have a Tecsun PL-380 radio. The reception is good when i go to my local park but not indoors as there is too much interference. Would this set up you made with MLA 30 work indoors? I'm in an apartment and can not use this on the balcony in winter months as it is way too cold here, sometimes minus 15 celcius and I can not leave any windows open to feed the wire through. Any tips/suggestions.

I have an Antron A99 will this work with it? Should I make your LOOP ANTENNA?Thank you.

How much power does the antenna need to become “active”? Did I hear 5 amps? My power bank puts out 2.4 amps and it lights up green. Is this the correct amount of power?

Will this antenna work to listen the 160 m and 80m Ham radio bands?

How long is the cable from the loop box? 😊

Good afternoon, I have been researching SWL and am looking to enter the hobby. Your channel has been a great help with receiving information. I am good with computers and audio equipment but not so much radio or general electronics so bear with me. I have ordered an ATS-25X1 with the enhanced Russian 4.0 firmware. I live in an apartment and I am curious (1) How to adapt this antenna to the BLN (I am unfamiliar with the various connectors and their types) on my ATS-25X1 and (2) How effective an MLA-30 would be if sat indoors, in the corner of my 3rd floor apartment. I plan to use it outside but I am in an apartment building with windows that are very inconvenient for antennas. Thank you sir!

Well done. I don't have a jack on my radio to attach the "sma" - how can I connect to the telescopic antenna on my Retekess 629?

What type of battery are you using?

Have you tried it indoors? I'm on the top floor of an apartment building with no balcony and solid windows that don't open. I've been looking for something that will increase reception.

My MLA didn't come with a USB plug just a black wire , wtd?

if i put the stainless loop in thin black cable cover would that effect signals.. because of climate and coastal living stainless steel rusts.

How will it perform if I replace the wire antenna element with a 1 inch aluminum tubing.

I'm about to make my antenna iv seeen on other videos people using plastic tubing around the antenna wire have you seen this before and would it effect the signal?.thanks and your video was excellent. GED IN IRELAND 🇮🇪

So, since I know nothing about these types of antennas, can I build this and use it in my home - Not Outside, or does it have to be up high outdoors?

Hi again I have a Tecsun PL-680 SW receiver. Can you tell me what adaptor(s) I would need to connect the MLA-30 to the antenna input of this unit ? Thanks once again , for your great assistance ! Chuck.

Can the MLA-30 be used as an indoor antenna ? It is impossible for me to pass the lead-in cable thru from the outside in my building Thanks ! Chuck

I bought one of these from a UK supplier. Performance is very poor compared to my 'Wellgood Loop' purchased from a Russian EBayer(RA0SMS) but designed by British amateur George Smart M1GEO.

You recieved China there on 9.855 👍

Is it water proof? I’m getting a radio soon and I’m interested in having a more effective antenna. I’m getting a Tecsun pl-880 btw

Can not buy a MLA 30 antenna amp here in New Zealand.

What must I buy to power the MLA-30 ?? Thanks, Chuck.

is the antenna dangerous in terms of voltage and power? can it catch fire or cause damage?

Hi. What about the material of tube? Is it plastic or...? Thanks!

ever compare the MLA-30 to a long wire end fed antenna?

What's the difference between this + and the ,,,-other than about $10 difference.

is this or sw only?

What type of cable arrived to receveir? Sma female or...??Thank you.

😀 I'm watching the great video here only amplified antenna for shortwave radios where can I purchase an amplified antenna like this please message me back I'm Jack here in Texas 😄

Will one of these make a big difference vs a wire on my PL 660?

Would this be good for a Kaito KA500L?

What SW bands does this pull in?

I really like this loop antenna. However my radio does not have that Jack. Does anyone think I could make an adapter and put a clip on it and then attach to my whip antenna?

What’s the difference between shortwave and ham.

Will this work with a baofeng

Does this work in MW?

Can you transmit on hf

I am 36

? on an off set on a tower would this interfere with it.