| KN6SU |
Rating:  |
2021-01-10 | |
| Well Made and Works |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Precise RF sells a few Mag Loop versions. I got the basic model package called the Express Loop ($299) but wanted the more efficient LMR-600 radiating loop that comes with the more expensive HG-1 Expedition model. The HG-1 tuner is the same for both models, and I wanted its 6:1 tuning ratio and ability to handle 45W PEP and the possibility of an add-on remote tuning motor for $195. Precise RF was kind enough to substitute the LMR-600 loop for a small additional cost...about the difference in cost between LMR-400 and LMR-600. This loop is heavier and doesn't coil up as easily as LMR-400, which is better for backpacking portable use, but it was easy for me to make up my own 10' LMR-400 loop for when I want to carry the antenna for portable use. For use while traveling and camping where weight is less of a concern, I'll use the LMR-600 radiator, which really is more efficient. My home-made LMR-400 loop seems to tune easier and cover a bit more on 10M (though both loops need a little help with an external matchbox on the upper part of 10M) and it makes the antenna a pound lighter than with the LMR-600.
I chose the HG-1 after looking at most of the commercially available Mag Loop antennas covering 10-40 (+/-80)M for under $500. I've found it to perform very well. I like its performance so much I'm thinking about getting the remote tuning motor.
The only thing I didn't like about it was the plastic clip used to attach the LMR-600 loop to the mast. This clip doesn't allow you to get the induction loop close enough to the radiating loop to really obtain the best possible match. I was able to greatly improve the tuning by removing the provided clip and making up one that allowed more flexibility in coupling the tuning and radiating loops...it really made a huge improvement.
I note that another reviewer was disappointed by the HG-1's susceptibility to water damage when left outside in wet weather, but I don't think Precise RF guarantees their tuning boxes to be waterproof. I'm not sure that any of the small commercial portable Mag Loop antennas are guaranteed to be set up for long term outside use. I do have an AEA Isoloop that has functioned well on the roof for many years, but that antenna was designed for such use, and is hardly portable. |
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| KM7Q |
Rating: |
2021-01-06 | |
| This Mag Loop is Amazing |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I am dazzled by the performance of your mag loop antenna. With bad weather here in Portland, Oregon, I just set it up in my 1st floor ham shack and hooked up a K3 and went on the air.
I've been a dipole guy, having tried every "magic wonder" antenna advertised, always selling them at the next ham fair, especially end feds, as they freeze my computer on digital modes.
So, set up in my study, with lots of metal duct work above my ceiling, I end up working all states on FT8 in exactly one month, running 25 watts. I've worked 23 states on CW, and 28 on last weekends RTTY RU. I've contacted Japan, Hawaii, and furthest St Lucia Island.
Sitting six feet from my station, its never froozen a computer or radio, as has every end fed I have owned, even at 3 watts. I've run this to 45 watts on CW and RTTY.
The antenna is truly a magic wonder antenna. Cant wait to get on a hill top this spring. Great work, easy to set up, tune and retune as I move about the bands.
Thanks again. 73 Bob Crispin KM7Q |
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| W0BDT |
Rating: |
2020-11-04 | |
| HG-1 WR is NOT Weather Resistant |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| While overall I have been pleased with the performance of the PreciseRF HG-1 "WR" magnetic loop antenna, I have had several issues with water/moisture inside the tuning enclosure. Although the Polycase enclosure is supposed to be "waterproof" there are conditions where it will incur water or moisture inside of the enclosure due to temperature changes. I have posted a full review with pictures on my website at: https://tombaugh.org/preciserf-hg-1-wr-mla/ |
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| KM3K |
Rating: |
2020-09-06 | |
| Simply amazed!! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Living in a retirement community where permanent outdoor antennas of any sort are not allowed is a major problem. To further complicate matters, the building exterior is stucco, which means chicken-wire, which means I live in a Faraday-cage, so inside antennas are worthless.
A MLA is my only choice.
The very first QSO done with the HG-1 WR, FT8 and 5 W on 20m was to Portugal. I was simply amazed.
Checking PSK-reporter shows my 5W signals covered the planet (need to boost that next time to 35W).
I was so impressed that I've ordered the HG3-Pro model.
Also, important to say that Roger W1RMS answers email questions quickly and thoroughly.
Dale W4OP recommended PreciseRF to me and I'm glad for his advice.
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| KC9IL |
Rating: |
2020-06-14 | |
| A well-built antenna, effective, and a delight to use. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I operate quite a bit of portable HF with my Elecraft KX-3. I already have the Super Antenna and a home brew 53 foot end fed with a 9:1 Unun. Both of these are good, workable antennas. However, there are times when I don’t have the time to set up either of these antennas, don’t want to have wires around where people can walk into them or trip on them, or when there aren’t any trees around. I have read a lot recently and seen demonstrations of magnetic loop antennas, so I started to investigate them. I had narrowed it down to the PreciseRF loops and the AlexLoop. I had a number of questions, and both Alex (PY1AHD) and Roger (W1RMS) were very helpful and responsive to my queries. Hats off to both of them!
My plans were to operate fixed portable (sitting at a table) as opposed to pedestrian portable (walking around). This had me leaning towards the PreciseRF offerings. I initially was looking at the Deluxe model, but already had a few tripods lying around, as well as a number of laptop computer bags, so I skipped the deluxe package with the small tripod and the deluxe carrying case. And I saved about $150 in the process by purchasing the Express package for $299. I did pick up the tripod adapter for $20 and made my own 12 foot cable.
The antenna arrived almost a week ahead of schedule. I had it assembled and on the air on my driveway in less than 10 minutes. Now I can deploy it in two minutes since I leave it assembled.
The entire antenna is nicely manufactured and has a good quality feel. The tuner is very smooth with its 6:1 Vernier dial. I can almost always get the SWR under 2:1 just by listening to band noise. It is a quick adjustment to hit the Tune button and get it down the rest of the way to 1.5:1 or less. The tuner covers from 40 meters all the way to the CW portion of 10 meters. The tuner box hits the wall around 28.300, above which the SWR starts to rise, but is still usable for most of the band, perhaps with the exception of the repeater part of the band.
I have done a number of on-the-air A-B comparisons between the PreciseLOOP and the Super Antenna and the End fed and have found the following:
1) The Loop is pretty comparable to the Super Antenna on all bands (40-10). Sometimes it’s an S-unit or so better, sometimes less. I attribute the parity on 40 meters to the fact that the Super Antenna is so physically short on 7 MHz.
2) The Loop is also pretty comparable to the 53 foot End fed (up in a tree) on all bands except 40 meters. Since the Loop is so physically small on 7 MHz, I’m not surprised that it can’t quite keep up with a 53 foot piece of wire. Nonetheless, it still performs quite well on 40, especially given how it improves the S/N ratio. It is still a very workable antenna on 40 meters.
All in all, I give the PreciseLoop a two thumbs review. A great performer and value.
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| WB7DND |
Rating: |
2019-10-16 | |
| Excellent |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
This is a review of the HG-1 with remote tuner, not the weather resistant model.
First, the customer service is wonderful. Roger will make every effort to help you succeed.
This unit is easy to tune with an antenna analyzer. The 6:1 reduction tuning is very helpful in fine tuning for the lowest possible SWR. The remote tuning feature is especially helpful for cold weather operation. The antenna can be on a balcony while the operator is indoors. Also, a major weakness of small magnetic loops is low power handling capability. This doesn't matter too much when in the field with a 5 watt rig. However, at home with the antenna on a balcony, with this unit, you can use a standard 100 watt rig at 25-45 watts for a significantly stronger signal. This can be especially helpful on 40 meters where small magnetic loops are notoriously inefficient.
All in all, for situations where a small magnetic loop is the antenna of choice, this is a great antenna.
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| W9SA |
Rating: |
2018-07-04 | |
| Surprising Performance and Great Construction |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I have had this antenna for several weeks now. I used it from the patio during field day and now portable from a cabin while on vacation. I have been very pleased with the performance of the antenna paired with my Elecraft KX2. I have literally worked coast to coast on 40 and 20 cw. It is easy to set up, and constructed very well. I tune it to loudest receive and then use the built in tuner to touch it up. The only complaint would be the mini tripod is not very stable so I am using a bigger tripod. It's been fun running QRP again after so many years. |
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| VA7BC |
Rating: |
2018-06-29 | |
| Well engineered, quality portable HF Loop |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have the manual tune version of the HG-1. Have had it just over a year. I have been looking for a good loop for some time. I felt the top 2 contenders in 2017 were the PreciseRF HG-1 loop and the LNR Precision W4OP loop. I decided to go for the HG-1 because it covers 10m through 40m with max power of 45w. Build quality is good. I have taken the back off the box and viewed the amazing care taken to mount the capacitor and make all the connections -- on a PCB. Nice touch making available resonators for 60m and 80m. Use of LMR600 as the radiator is a plus. Packs up nicely in a bag for portable ops. Is rather pricey but the quality and engineering is there to support the price. Roger is fantastic with post-sales support. |
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| W7BV |
Rating: |
2018-06-28 | |
| Excellant Performance and Construction |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
The PreciseRf HG-1 Magnetic Loop Antenna made its debut in 2017 at SeaPac. It features a high surface area, 38inch LMR600 radiation loop, copper tube induction loop, precision 6:1 reduction tuning box with calibrated dial marking, and carrying case. The deluxe model also includes the optional 80M-1 Resonator, MLA-1 Tripod, and MLA-25mm Tripod adaptor. The HG-1 Loop is very portable, is of excellent construction, is fast to erect, and easy to tune. The use of optional plug-in resonators permit operation on 80 and 60 meters. While I usually operate at 2-10 watts, the HG-1 does permit higher power operation up to 45 watts PEP; and, I have used occasionally added a small amp to run 30-40 watts cw with no ill effects. A Remote Tuner now is available as an option which facilitates better positioning of the antenna in the clear as well as removing the RF field further away from the operator – especially important when running powers above 5-10 watts. The Remote Tuner motor easily replaces the tuning knob on the tuner box and connects to the control box through an ethernet cable. I have used lengths up to 25ft; Roger, W1RMS, owner of Precise RF tells me that it has been tested up to 100ft away. The variable speed motor permits fast initial tuning followed by fine tuning at very slow speeds. I found it very easy to use. While the motor can be easily removed from the tuner box to return it to manual tuning, a duplicate manual tuning box also is available which avoids having to disassemble the motor equipped tuning box to return to manual tuning. Finally, PreciseRf responds rapidly to inquiries and provides excellent service.
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