When a member of our shortwave listener club showed me a PA0RDT active E-Probe antenna I almost giggled, being polite I didn't giggle. However I thought "Well PT Barnum was right...one is born every minute."
Then we mounted the antenna and gave it a test swirl. And I was stunned.
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I won't bother listing the details of the PA0RDT Mini Whip, plans are all over the net,
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This is one interesting variant
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A good overview
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Note: It is critical to understand how an E-Field probe antenna works! It must be installed properly or it will perform badly.?
Properly is a bit complicated but easier then erecting a 'real SW antenna" [to mean a 100 foot wire antenna at least 30 feet off the ground.[ <especially when you are 73>
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All E-Field Probe antennas are a compromise but have their place in the grand scheme of things. I have several, one optimised for 'audio' [whistlers] through ELF, one for ELF to LF, one for LF to 30MHz, although I
m not interested in much above 20MHz. 11Meters from truckers is a good way to test any antenna.
Prepare to be frustrated but E-Field Probe antennas do have their place and can offer surprising reception and will also drive you crazy getting there.
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