RF Systems DX 1 Pro Mk II
pli...@telkomsa.net
equipment section of dxing.info below. This active antenna
malfunctioned
after six years of
outstanding operation and was returned to Holland for repair. It was
received back and re-erected on June 1st 2007 and had been upgraded to
the
Mk II version.
My impressions of the Mk II is that it is even quieter and more
sensitive
than the original. It's suppression of suburban RFI is outstanding and
I am
able to receive clearly very weak and far distant DX with ease. I can
compare it with my PAORDT Roelof mini-whip and Datong AD-270 active
antenna's. It is substantially quieter and more sensitive than either
of
these, really in a different and much higher class of it's own.
A sampling of recent catches over the last few days:
10320 khz AFN Pearl Harbour, a 3 kw TX 18,600 km's away
1540 khz ZNSI Bahamas 12,100 km's distant
234 khz RTL Luxembourg 9,400 km's away.
Plus many other exotic catches.
I can highly recommend this active antenna to anyone who is unable to
erect
a decent wire antenna. It may be expensive, but it is the best and you
will
enjoy years of superb reception that will soften the shock of the high
initial price you paid for it.
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s
RX Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods
Drake SW8 & ERGO software
Sony 7600D, GE SRIII, Redsun RP2100
BW XCR 30, Sangean 803A.
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro Mk II, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop, PAORDT Roelof mini-whip
http://www.dxing.info/about/dxers/plimmer.dx
RHF
JP,
Nice to know that RF Systems stands behind their Products.
Especially since you had the Antenna in-service for 6-Years.
enjoy your radios and good future dxing ~ RHF
.
.
. .
JeroenK
On Jun 9, 10:56 am, plim...@telkomsa.net wrote:
> able to receive clearly very weak and far distant DX with ease. I can
> compare it with my PAORDT Roelof mini-whip and Datong AD-270 active
> antenna's. It is substantially quieter and more sensitive than either
> of
> these, really in a different and much higher class of it's own.
Could you tell a little about the needed ground connection? I understood
that this antenna does need a good ground.
initially I had interest in this antenna as I'm located on the top of a
apartment building I don't have access to good ground, and I cant erect
a wire antenna either. To top things off, we don't even have lightning
rods I could use for ground or lightning protection...
Yesterday I lowered my PAORDT mini-whip by 1,5 meter (was about 4 meters
high above the roof) and that made the signal MUCH cleaner.
--
JeroenK
pli...@telkomsa.net
Replying to RHF = thanks for your remarks. The repair was not for
free/gratis but cost E240/$320 including shipping. I had expected to
ditch
the old one and have to buy a complete new one, so I was quite happy
with
the outcome. They replaced all the electronic parts both in the head
unit
and indoor control unit.
to JeroenK - I have no knowledge of how to install a DX1 on top of
an
apartment roof without an earth. I suggest you go to RF Systems
website and
get in contact with them.
http://www.rf-systems.nl/
I am sure they will have experience of such installations and will
advise
you.
--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s
RX Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods
Drake SW8 & ERGO software
Sony 7600D, GE SRIII, Redsun RP2100
BW XCR 30, Sangean 803A.
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro Mk 2, Datong AD-270
JeroenK
> to JeroenK - I have no knowledge of how to install a DX1 on top of
> an
> apartment roof without an earth. I suggest you go to RF Systems
> website and
> get in contact with them.
> http://www.rf-systems.nl/
> I am sure they will have experience of such installations and will
> advise
> you.
Was actually just wondering what type of earth you used for it :) And if
you maybe experimented with different types of earth and which would
work best with this antenna.
--
JeroenK
pli...@telkomsa.net
I have difficulty replying to usenet, so you must please contact me
privately to continue this conversation
JeroenK
> I have difficulty replying to usenet, so you must please contact me
> privately to continue this conversation
>
Heh ... Curious, very curious :)
--
JeroenK
RHF
JeroenK,
Roof-Top Antenna and Grounding Help :
Ground ~ Radial ~ Counterpoise
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/message/13670
TO READ :
* Antenna & Ground Help
http://www.sgcworld.com/radialstechnote.html
Radials and Counterpoises have two basic purposes
* Counterpoise ? - On the Use and Abuse of a Word
-by- L. B. Cebik [W4RNL]
http://www.cebik.com/gp/cps.html
* Radial Systems for and Elevated and
Ground Mounted Vertical Antennas
http://www.steppir.com/pdf/radial%20systems%20for%20vertical%
20antennas.pdf
* The Mystery of Radials and Counterpoises
http://www.astrosurf.com/luxorion/qsl-radials.htm
- - - Raising the Antenna above Ground
http://www.astrosurf.com/luxorion/qsl-radials2.htm
* High Above the Ground - RF Ground Systems
http://radioworks.com/nbgnd.html#highaboveground
http://radioworks.com/nbgnd.html#Counterpoise
QUESTIONS :
Q 1 - Is it a Flat Roof ?
Q 2 - Are there any Metal Objects sticking-out of the Roof ?
* Metal Vent Pipes
* Metal Fire Ladder
* Elevator Service Shed
* Metal Doors
* Metal Trim
any and all of these may be grounded.
SUGGESTIONS :
First - Mounting and Grounding
Usually with Active Antennas that use a relatively
Short Vertical Whip Antenna Element : A single
piece of Metal Pipe 9-21 Feet will work well as a
Support Mast and can be Grounded at it's Base
thus providing a Solid-Heavy Ground Connection
and Vertical Counterpoise to the Vertical Whip
Antenna Element.
Experiment = Test-and-Retest = Trial-and-Error
Most of the Time on a Roof a Metal Mast mounted
on a Vent Pipe will do the job of Grounding an
Active Antenna - You may have to try several
different Vent Pipes of other Metal Objects to find
the best one that works for you on 'your' Roof.
- - - The Exception being new construction where
there may be PVC Pipe inside the Building with
just a Metal Pipe and Flashing at the exterior.
-IF- You can not find a "Ground" on the Roof
Try making your own Ground-Refector {Plane}
-ie- Counterpoise = Ground Radial System
* Measure the the Height of your Mast
* Cut two pieces of Wire Fence Fabric
http://www.tjwiremesh.com/wire_mesh/welded_wire_mesh/galvanized_welded_wire_mesh.htm
that are at least as long [1X] to twice as long [2X]
as the Mast is High.
* Lay-out the two pieces of Wire Fence Fabric
"Flat-on-the-Surface-of-the-Roof" in an "X" Shape
{Crossed/Perpendicular to each other}
* Connect the Mast and the two pieces of Wire
Fence Fabric all together.
* The Wire Fence Fabric should be 18" to 36" wide.
- - - This may be 'the best' that you can do for
'lowering' the Noise Level of your Active Antenna
on an Apartment House Roof.
FWIW - You have already discover the 'other'
"Thing-To-Do" - Which is to Raise and Lower
your Active Antenna to Find-Out the best Height
to position and mount the Antenna Element.
hope this helps - iane ~ RHF {pomkia}
.
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"I Know This Is A Really Dumb Question - But _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "
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May You Never Tire of Listening to the Radio and Always
have Strong Signals and Noise Free Reception ~ RHF {ibid}
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/message/9233
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