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Reviews For: Noble Radio RXLP-1 Broadband Active Receive Loop

Category: Antennas: VLF/LF/HF Receive only

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Review Summary For : Noble Radio RXLP-1 Broadband Active Receive Loop
Reviews: 4MSRP: $325
Description:
The Noble Radio RXLP-1 is a broadband active receiving loop capable of operation from less than 300 Khz to 30 MHz using a broadband LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) and has a performance that is comparable to full sized dipoles over its range. The 39 inch diameter loop can provide a lower noise floor than a conventional dipole or vertical plus allows local noise sources to be minimized or eliminated by rotating the antenna. This null in the antenna pattern also allows interfering stations to be reduced or practically eliminated by rotation of the antenna. The antenna is powered and controlled by the RXLPTR1 control box that provides DC power up the coax signal cable, the ability to switch between the transmit antenna and the loop for receiving and a high and low gain setting for the LNA. The LNA has an average gain of 23 dB with an OIP3 = +22 dBm. The RXLPTR1 also includes a T/R switch so that the loop may be safely used with a transmitter. A power level of up to 125W can be used with the switch. The switch uses the PTT line from the transmitter and also contains an RF sensing circuit. The RF sense circuit can be used without the PTT line but is also active when the PTT is used. This provides a backup in case of a PTT line failure or the PTT is not connected when the transmitter is active thereby protecting the LNA from damage. A front panel LED indicates when the loop is connected to the receiver / transceiver and another LED indicates when the transmitter and PTT/RF sense circuit is active. A High and Low Gain switch is also on the front panel. The low gain position is generally used for operation at frequencies above 3 MHz while the high gain is used at the lower end of the spectrum. Either gain can be used at any frequency simply by using the switch.
Product is in production
More Info: http://nobleradio.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0045
KU7I Rating: 2020-11-06
Game changer for the low bands. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I use vertical antennas at this QTH which are very noisy on the low bands. During the summer I often have S9 +30 atmospheric noise on 160 and 75 meters. I finally made the plunge and purchased this wonderful Noble Radio receive loop. For rotation I use a Yaesu GS-450 rotor which sits on a heavy duty all steel umbrella stand. The rotor sits on that and then I have 6 feet of aluminum tubing on top of the rotor which then connects to the 3 foot fiberglass support pole that comes with the loop. The bottom of the loop is about 9 1/2 feet above the ground. The remote control unit that sits in the shack is used to switch the loop in and out on xmit and rcv. You can select to rcv on the loop or to rcv on your xmit antenna. It is fun to switch back and forth to see what happens to the received signal and the noise level.

The lower the freq, the more directional the loop. Rotation makes a HUGE difference on rcv signal strength on 160 and 80. What I do is I either null out the noise or I peak the rcv signal. The loop works fantastic for nulling out all types of different noise sources from atmospheric to locally generated.

I have talked to the owner via email many times to have questions answered and he is super fast to reply which is great. Assembly out of the box took about 30 minutes. Easy to assemble and easy to install. Talk to the owner to determine which type of coax to use for the loop. My coax run to the loop is about 250 feet long and I wanted to bury the coax so he recommended I buy direct bury RG-6 with F connectors which is what I did. He supplied the adapters for the F connectors.

The Noble Radio receive loop antenna makes the low bands a total joy to use. Rotating this antenna is a MUST if you really want to maximize what it will do.
N8OPS Rating: 2020-09-06
Fabulous in every way- quality, service, and performance Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is an incredible value for an antenna that adds so much pleasure to my operating experience. The construction is top-notch at every point from the fiberglass loop support to the connectors and the control box that sits on my desk and looks fabulous.

The instructions are very thorough and well-written so they are easy to understand and also give you every detail that you need as you set up this inordinately capable and flexible system. No worries if you have a question while you are setting it up- Frank WB2UJS is quick to answer emails and is a very friendly guy with superb, customer-focused service. I'm picky, but I judge products in part by their documentation. When a business goes out of its way to provide in-depth and very readable documentation it is likely an indication that they've spent the time and resources needed to make a great product. Remember- the buyer has already paid you when he gets the instructions in the box. That's probably why many companies treat it as a necessary evil or an afterthought. Noble Radio gets it right!

I use the receive antenna input on my 7610 but no worries if you don't have one on your radio- Frank's unit is very flexible. Coupled with a rig that has a really good receiver this loop is just a gem to listen with. It's crazy how many hams will spend thousands of dollars on a rig with a great receiver but won't spring for a few hundred to hear what it can do if given the proper input signal.

I'm not sure why some companies that charge a whole lot more for their loop have control units that look like they should be taped to a TV antenna mast. That's not the case with the RXLPTR1. This unit is classy, gorgeous, and has the indicators to monitor status and old-school toggles for control. The looks seem to speak like old Drake or Collins gear that says "yeah, I'm vintage but fire me up and see what I can actually do!" The LEDs are big and bright but not distracting. My operating time is spent sitting at my desk and I appreciate equipment that looks nice- especially if it performs extremely well as this loop does.

I use the PTT jack hooked up to my "send" jack on the back of my 7610 to turn off the loop while I am transmitting and this allows QSK.

I'm using an RCA VH226F rotator for the loop. If you buy this model note that it does go on sale so keep your eyes peeled. Also DO spend the five minutes that it takes to pop off the bottom panel of the unit and remove, loctite, and replace the four screws that hold the motor in place. These will fall out if you don't.

The null with this loop is stronger than I expected which is great for eliminating QRM. The installation is straightforward and mine is about 7 feet off the ground which seems to work extremely well.

I agree with the previous reviewer that the electronics are perfect with this unit but I wonder if the loop support has been tweaked since his review because the telescopic fiberglass support that mine has is amazing- strong, lightweight, easy to assemble, and attractive.

QRP ops are easier to hear with this loop. DX stations that don't have big power and a huge tower and beam are easier to hear with this loop. Being able to narrow the filter on my rig and then push a button to rotate the loop helps with an awful lot of QRM that I experience. In the end, with any product that you buy for your station you want to evaluate what it costs and weigh that against how it improves your experience as you operate and this loop gives a huge amount of bang for the buck. Frank's stellar communication skills and quick responses really create a great buying experience. In a day of companies that over-promise and under-deliver, it's nice to have a gracious businessman who is happy to help you and gives personalized service that is consistently better than expected.
W6UXB Rating: 2020-03-15
Great RX Loop Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have been considering a RX loop antenna at my QTH for awhile due to the high RFI received. I came across KX2T's review and contacted Frank, subsequently received the second one he made have to say works pretty fantastic I have S 9 signals on my ZS6BKW antenna that are unreadable switch to the loop S 7 but perfectly readable, the electronics of this antenna are just about perfect and I think with some minor tweaks on the loop support this is going to be the antenna to beat.
KX2T Rating: 2020-03-04
Great for reducing RX Noise in the burbs! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Over three years ago I purchased a Pan Adapter module from Noble radio for my then FTDX3000 which gave outstanding results and Frank the owner was always available for excellent customer support. I had e mailed him to see if he had anything new coming out for a low noise RX antenna and he told me about the RXLP-1 active RX loop so even before he had the product on his web site I pre ordered the very first one. Easy assembly, I had already run an RG6 cable out to were my antenna switch box was so I installed it about 30ft away from were my dipole is. The control box has very easy connections on it and even if you do not have a separate receive antenna port you are able to use this antenna on RX with a simple switching plus it has an RF sense built in but I just Y'ed the TX output of my radio for my stations amp. You have switch for amplifier gain, power and in/out of the circuit controls plus can be used with radio's up to 125W according to the instructions.
It makes a big difference on receive either on the low bands or even up on 20 or 17 meters, I have also used it as high as 10 meters so its a broadband design plus has adjustable two position gain switching as well. Comparing it to my main antenna which is a OCF dipole for 80 threw 10 at 60ft it does an amazing job on receive plus takes out most all of the electrical noise I get from local 68Kv electrical lines that are located 300ft from my house. It does help when storms are near by but when thunder storms are in the area here in Florida I just shut down operating. The manual says to use 50 ohm coax but I did use quad shield RG6 which seem to work as well. Power to the amp at the loop is carried out by the coaxial cable with a Bias T arrangement so no extra leads are needed. For the entry price of $325 I was very impressed with its construction, yes it uses the LMR400 like other loops do but the control box and outside hardware are a cut above others I have seen plus it doesn't look like a Mickey Mouse type product, very please with this loop and it has been added to my arsenal of accessories to knock down noise and improve copy of signals in a noisy urban environment!