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Reviews For: LZ1AQ - Active Antenna Amplifier (model AAA-1C)

Category: Antenna Switching, Phasing, Controllers

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Review Summary For : LZ1AQ - Active Antenna Amplifier (model AAA-1C)
Reviews: 5MSRP: 100
Description:
This amplifier is intended for construction of small wideband active receiving antennas from LF to upper HF bands. The mechanical construction of the particular loop/dipole antenna must be performed by the user. This amplifier can use two separate small magnetic loops. These two loops are used also as two arms of a small electrical dipole. Thus 3 different antennas can be used. The amplifier has four remotely switched modes: Loop A, Loop B, crossed parallel loops A&B and dipole. Each mode can be switched immediately and this enables us to use the best antenna for the moment.
Product is in production
More Info: http://active-antenna.eu/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0055
YO4HGX Rating: 2020-12-15
Probably the best active antenna... for the moment Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Some more than 10 years ago when started to play with SDR felt the need of a low noise, wide band receiving antenna and searching the web found few LZ1AQ early projects. Later on was a pleasant surprise to discover that his work produced a wonderful kit.

Now, reviewing this antenna, as with anything else depends of two things: expectations and reference. If you are expecting a better performance than a full size elevated yagi... then look elsewhere.

It also depends of the "hardware" design but as a rule of dumb, smaller diameter but fatter conductor picking up less noise. I have opted for the "classic" design, two 1m loops on top of each other, made by PEX-AL plumbing pipes, each element doubled with a space of 10cm.

That being said, compared with a Hustler 6BTV (with elevated radial system consisting of 3 tuned elements for each band) it will beat it hands down anywhere. In higher bands, even the S-meter will show a slightly lower signal level, the SNR is visibly better due to lower noisefloor characteristics. It worked well enough to perform the "Rx ant mod" on my IC-7300 and use the vertical on Tx and the LZ1AQ active loops on Rx.

Compared with a dipole, or in my case a 2 x 6.4m doublet it will show its limitations. It will still beat it hands down in top band and 80m but higher than that the signal level and most importantly, the SNR will be slighlty lower.

However, is will make a great partner with my doublet for "diversilty reception". Due to different polarisation and location it will "fill in" the doublet fading gaps.

At last but not least, LZ1AQ/Chavdar "customer service" is brilliant. Had mine flooded twice and he took the time to guide me troubleshooting.
WB0OEW Rating: 2020-07-03
Excellent and flexible Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this preamp outdoors in Arizona heat for several years and it still performs like new. I use it often for general SWL with SDR (broadcast and utility/aviation) as well as a separate receive antenna on my ham rig. I like it a lot. It is low noise with good gain. I have it connected to two 3 ft diameter loops, one above the other, rotated 90 degrees to each other. The amp includes remote signaling that allows the loops to be selected individually or work as a vertical dipole. These choices make a huge difference in signal and noise, so I highly recommend going to the trouble of using this feature.
DL4QB Rating: 2019-01-27
GREAT for Low and Topband Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi!

Bought this small pre-amp and i´m absolutly happy with it! The noise level is below your receiver noise level and has a great great low noise amplification.

I use it for a magnetic loop with just 1m dia and this pre-amp on 160m and above.

It works great,

If you check this, please take attention on the local time in germany, at daytime here, you will not receive anything on the low bands.

Also the pre-amp has the option to add an additional loop. You can switch Loop A , Loop B and also Crossed Loop and / or somthing like log-wire.


For the pre-amp: Buy it, if you need one!

VE3CUS Rating: 2018-04-16
Great loop amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This loop amplifier is great! Really cuts down the noise on 80 and 160, and makes a great BCB dx antenna too!
Chavdar's customer service is exceptional. He reported to me with answers to my questions within 12 hours of my emailing him.
LZ1ABC Rating: 2017-02-26
I like it Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I am using the amplifier with a single 1m loop and it works like a charm.
QTH is elevated ground floor in a 4 story block of flats. The antenna is on the terrace 5m away from the building. With my previous wire antenna on 1.8Mhz, 3.5Mhz and 7MHz I was having at least S6 QRN so was impossible to hear anything. With the active antenna I get S0-S1.
Can't say much about the design as I am not an engineer but for sure it enabled me to be active again.

Easy to assemble and install even from a non-specialist like me. You need a sufficiently long FTP cable (no coaxial needed), power supply and switches if you are going to switch between antennas.

73 de SP6/LZ1ABC