MP1 Super Antenna - A Second Look 

I got the MP1 about 3 months ago, and I love it, it breaks down into an incredibly small size. I use the supplied tripod. I have no problem making contacts with the Yaesu FT-891 and MP1 and even made it from Ireland to Canada on 20 meters @100 watts about a month ago. I have not used the 80 meter coil yet, when I go out portable it's usually during the day so I wouldn't be using the 80 M band. It's a great high quality product, I love it. It has greatly exceeded my expectations.

Your video production techniques, camera work, and your presenter performances are all extremely good. It is easy to see why your videos are popular among hams. Thanks for the review. This video has been added to the Super Antenna youtube channel.

Excellent job on this. I was looking at this setup and now I am buying it. You sold me on this video. You Rock and looks like antenna does too.

Hi I just got a used MP1. I have many Mizuho MX QRP radios for all bands. I am looking forward in using this antenna. I like the easy setup using the recommended Super Antenna radial kit. Thank you John for your nice informative video! I have been a ham since I was 12 years old. I am 72 now and a proud disabled Army Vietnam Veteran who was an RTO (radio operator) there. I carried and operated the PRC 25 there. 73 K8ESE

Very versatile antenna system. If you haven't already, you might want to check out OH8STN's alternative setup with the Super Antenna. Adding a Chameleon CHA MIL 2.0 whip to the top in place of the SA-supplied whip provides wider bandwidths, though you will need to re-mark the FG-1 guide for that mod.

Good video. A friend of mine just bought a MP-1. At R=70 Ohm we should see SWR = 1.4 for a 50 Ohm reference impedance. Maybe your MFJ needs some calibration. Mine did and it is good now. Also, if R=364 Ohm, the VSWR would be around 8.3.

John, Just received my MP 1 today and found your evaluation was right on the money. Set it up in my back yard and was able to make a contact from my home QTH in Ohio to a NPOTA activation in Wisconsin . Keep up the RU-vid submissions. 73 Roger W8RLP

Hi John. I think you were just a tad long on the adjustments. I noticed that the freq. guide marks you set to were just below the bottom of each band. The ink on the mark begins at the edge of the freq. So, when you had it at the top of the mark on 7 mhz for example, I saw a dip in the meter just below 40. I bet if you adjusted the antenna to just a mm below the mark, you'd see the dip right around 7040. 73, KB9RLW

John, it would be interesting to do your checks with the analyzer at the base of the antenna. Thanks for making these fine videos.

I’ve got two Super Antennas I’m connecting into a MFJ 347 dipole mount on a tripod today. Should be fun.

I use this and an end-fed. For this, on 40m and 80m (I use the extra coil), I find using my NanoVNA to finetune because of the narrow bandwidth helps

I find that minus a tuner... if you adjust the antenna slider for loudest noise, in the middle of a band, you will be close enough inside of the safe SWR. 73s... DE AG4KN - John

Thank you John. You did in your videos what I would have had to do after making a purchase. I'm looking for antenna solutions for use in the field (ARES, Contesting, etc.). You 'sold me' on the MP1, as I already have an end-fed wire. Much appreciated! 73, W6CK

Thank you for this John. Can I ask what the purpose of the ‘dead’ balun of choke is that you made in the feedline ? and do you want that closde to the antenna, like in your video ?

John, as always a great and interesting video. I so wish guys/gals that do a review would go as far as you do to make the viewer aware they had received an item "gratis" "no charge" etc. In your case it makes no difference, I know I'm getting FACT whether it was sent for Free or you purchased it. So many start off with "I just picked one up", "I got one" makes me nervous right off the bat, especially from a known reviewer. OK, Lil Soap box action done. But thanks for that. As far as the MP-1 goes, real good info. I have 2 of them and had stopped using them. They just never really did the job for me. So seeing someone get really valid results from 1 gets me re-motivated (new word). Again, great to see you well and still CWing away. I also just saw the car QRP and using the FM transmitter is a great idea, never thought of using for CW. Thanks for a great tip. Keep these great vids coming, you're a class act, 73 Ron KB3VEW

Thanks for the review. You don't have to power the 259 when it sleeps. Just push the gate or mode button. If you had a tripod then we could watch you actually make two handed adjustments. Oh and those Cub videos you did were great. Thanks.

Excellent videos.... but the question I have is... do these antennas require clamping to heavy metal objects as well as radials? Wondering if one was backpacking there would not be metal to clamp it to. I'd like to see a test like this without the grill clamp thing.

I have been trying to find a replacement plastic chart for the Super Antenna. Haven't been able to use my antenna in over 3 years since I lost mine.

Hi. Nice video! I would like to know when going on 80 meters, can I add the 80 meter coil with the 40-10 coil or do I need to remove it? Thanks. William

you don't suppose that using the metal grill and the metal pole that holds the grill added a bit more 'ground' to the counterpoise than the wires? Just wondering to myself. I wonder how'd it work clamped onto the wooden picnic table?

I could be wrong.. Strange when you were testing on 20 meters, that the MR1710 radials for 17 through 10 meters would give you a low SWR. Also I wonder whatra reading you would get if the radials were unwound and placed in a circle away from each other?

Enjoy your videos and have subscribed. Sorry but I took the code test 40 years ago. I am afraid that I will never be your peer there. Thank you for your time and help. I want one vertical and two dipoles for my mobile work. This appears to be a satisfactory vertical unless you can direct me to a different one. N4KBM.

Would like to see this same test with fine adjustment. : ) Thanks for the video.

Enjoyable informative video. 73 Robert (Currently 5B4AMA)

Good look at the antenna thanks John. Are you sure your MFJ is set to 50 ohms? at 5:03 it shows SWR=1:1 yet at 5:17 it shows 50+j2 and SWR=1.4. Try the MFJ on a good 50 ohm resistor.Also is your feed

Thanks for the video. How long are those radials. I have limited space. Can they all be stretched out on a line with a gap between them? thanks

G'day John, i'm wondering if you have radials with multiply wires, why not add extra wires for the bands. Like 40 metres 10 wires 30 metres 10 wires ect. more wires better grounding for the antenna. Cheers mate De Dennis vk4oc

John-Would you guess that with the guide, the radial sets and an antenna tuner this would work without having an analyzer

Very impressive, Good video!

I'm late here, but I think the MR1710 radial set wasn't what you were using for that initial test on 20m? Unless you were just trying to see how they would work with a different band?

Just checking... you didn’t use anything additional right? lol kidding. Nice vid

Very good as usual but I do have a few questions. In the two "radial" sets that they sent you, did you measure the lengths and are they 1/4 wavelength counterpoise lengths, and if you put both sets on at the same time will that tuning guide still be accurate and yield the same low SWR all of the covered bands? Did you tweak the adjustments on the lower bands to get a better SWR? You probably need different different setting for the phone and CW portions, or do you? What was that wire type of the radials they sent, you haven't yet put it in the description? It's not portable, but I've used a Cushcraft MA-6V covering 6-20 meters and mobile whips for 40 and 75 meters with ground radials. It's my stealth solution. The whips are pre-tuned with quick disconnects so it's easy to change bands.

Great video John, but which antenna pulls in more stations? Or if you chose the 20 meter band, which one works best?

K6FLW, just upgraded my ticket and saw the super on Amazon and took a chance. After watching your video i'm glad I did. Question though, my coils have a rubber jacket on them, does this need to be removed or does it stay on?

Hi John....de N7BRB.. have you used the Super Antenna MC80 SuperCoil 80m and 75 meter coil i spend alot of time on the 75m band...THANKS

I am getting high swr without a tuner what else can I do? I am also getting a lot of rf back into the radio. I know I need an rf choke.

do the radials have to be on the ground? I was hoping to mount this antenna on my 2nd story roof and spread them out on the roof

Thanks for the video. I am an occasional HF Pack style operator and have seen this antenna on their site. Your second video was helpful. How much does it weight? It says 1lb on the website, but have a hard time believing with radials, mount, etc its 1 lb. Would also be interested in a side by side comparison using reverse beacon network for signal strength reports.

John , good video wonder how well you get out with super antenna !

Dear John, how are you cheers from Paraguay. I have 2 antennas for portable operation, the first one is the MP1 and a EARCHI endfed. both Are good but i want to know your opinion about what is the best antenna for my next operation from IOTA SA026 in january. 73 From ZP9MCE - MAnu.

Is the barbecue grill extra? :)

Great video! I'm doing some shopping for a multi-band antenna I can use in my upstairs apartment. I know you had the base clamped to the grill, but what is the total length/height? Inside the room, the floor-to-ceiling height is 8 feet. Can this antenna be accommodated in that height? I'm good in QRZ. Thanks and 73 de N5NUK.

I've had better luck with the MP1 than the verticle whip that's for $80.00 from Giga parts. SWR is poor or bad no matter the settings on the verticle whip is at.

What no ic 7300

Intriguing video. This antenna would make a perfect portable or emergency antenna. I've been looking for something like this. I'll check the company website and get some more information. Russ Roberts (KH6JRM).

Hi John, Great informative video. I’m new to HF radio. Just recently passed my general license and attended my first field day event back in June and I’m hooked. Would love to pick your brainabout some concerns. Do you have an email address? Thanks Mike( KD2BYJ )

Great video. Art K2ADC

is that antenna tuff?

It's really kind of sad that people can't do a proper review. People really wanna know how the antenna performs not how the numbers look analyzer I guessing that your retired and don't want to be bothered!

Great video! de W2CSI