| KF4EUZ |
Rating:  |
2023-08-01 | |
| Super Easy and Surprisingly Good quality QRP HF Antenna |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I know this antenna is a bit controversial to some and I understand, but I've had a lot of fun hours using it over the past many years. I pack an FT-817 in my bag on many trips and have really enjoyed operating with this little antenna. I use a 20 foot random wire as a counterpoise when I can but even without, it makes for a pretty decent little station. My FT-817 has been around the world several times on various trips- it packs up so nicely with this little antenna. I've made a few contacts and done a lot of receiving- its quality is very good. I recently bought a Xiegu X6100 SDR and have tried it with that I works pretty well- doesn't integrate quite as well but works. I'm not contesting or anything, just looking to fill in a little evening time on travel. I've really enjoyed it over the years. I may build something like it for the Xiegu. I've looked on Ebay for used ones but no luck. |
|
| LNXAUTHOR |
Rating: |
2019-08-25 | |
| after 16 years, still works FB |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
purchased for a song at a hamfest in MD in a previous life; fast forward 16 years to life in a condo community w/antenna restrictions - my Miracle Whip, solidly constructed, had traveled with my FT-817 for many years, but now is attached to a Daiwa switch in my garage... it is used for a stealth receiving, and now to my utter amazement, a stealth transmitting antenna to my local repeater
that's right: from inside my garage, my 16-year-old Miracle Whip enables me to sit in comfort at my combo armourer's desk/electronics workbench and participate in 2M nets for emergency preparedness and rag-chewing...
i am so glad i purchased one when they were available - i almost sold it when i sold my 16-year-old FT-817 (to buy a new FT-818ND), but i'm glad i didn't...
the Miracle Whip is also a good companion to the Xiegu G90 20W SDR portable transceiver... but honestly, this antenna was designed for the ubiquitous FT-81XXX form factor and works very well...
i did make a modification just this year: drilled a hole in the back plate to add a small jack for a counterpoise - i was reluctant to do so, but i think it will help when going portable...
anyhow: you can buy clone versions nowadays and a British-made variant, but the original still seems the best to me...
and fortunately, i also purchased a Miracle Ducker when they were available (it also came with a whip, but separates to a BNC antenna); i've never used it, but the quality of construction is the same...
a real pity and a shame that the original maker is a SK and that the family never continued production - this antenna is an heirloom - and you can't say that about many amateur radio products...
----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by LNXAUTHOR on 2012-07-14
I have two of the Miracle products: the Miracle Ducker TL and the original Miracle Whip (MW). This review is for the original MW.
After nearly nine years and countless outings, trips, and sessions on beaches, decks, parks and piers, my original MW (purchased for less than a Franklin) is still working great.
This is a testament to the manufacturer's insistence on quality and robust construction. The MW is a perfect match for the FT-817, but i also use it on my SGC SG-2020 (using a UHF male-to-male extender).
The MW works great for receiving, and with a little effort, also works for a quick-and-dirty QRP outing. I have used my MW on 2M (with no counterpoise) for checking in with local repeaters, for receiving NWS WX faxes (important down here in hurricane country), and for listening to shortwave, FM, and local AM commercial broadcasts.
For HF, you'll need to use a counterpoise. Many folks have modified their MWs to add a socket for a banana plug counterpoise (i just clip a wire on my rig). Others have made the antenna removable so that other antennas may be attached (one reason i like the new TL version), or so that the MW may work as a tunable counterpoise!
The MW is an indispensable accessory for my amateur radio fun. It currently resides on my former mobile FT-857's 144/430MHz antenna jack (the rig now resides on a window ledge inside inside the casa next to my iMac). I use it every day!
The real 'miracle' about the MW is that an amateur radio accessory manufacturer cares enough about the customers in the ham community to build a product that will last for nearly the entire life of the purchaser. |
|
| G4BXD |
Rating:  |
2018-04-21 | |
| Load of ?*&^^&*( |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| The only 'miracle' is that it lasts long enough to try and have one qso. Plastic case, hard to screw on fitting, poor contact switching, all round its a bit of tat. Any ham could easily make one, and far better, from bits lying around. The asking price is stupid. Thank goodness I did not fork out real money for this one. And now I see there's a 2018 version, costing even more!!!!!! Anyone thinking of buying one, read a book and learn how to make one. |
|
| KB2NAT |
Rating: |
2016-04-19 | |
| Nice Niche Antenna |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I rated this a 5 because it does exactly what it should, It's obviously not a full-sized dipole, but for taking on a trip or using an antenna in a restricted condo, it's perfect. That's its niche! It's a bit pricey, but most complaints about the antenna are based on expectations beyond what anything with a 4-foot antenna could do.I took mine to Hawaii and clipped on a counterpoise and used it for ham operation. It's surprisingly good on receive, but don't expect huge output from the antenna (of course, it's easy to clip more wire on the end of the antenna). It does what I expected; for that, it was great. |
|
| W7IBI |
Rating: |
2016-02-21 | |
| Out of business? |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I tried to get in touch with the builder (VA2ERY) and the web site is now for a magazine. Robert stopped production due to failing health a few years ago and now there is no result when looking up his call. I have been using the MW for about 12 years on the FT-817nd and have had fine QRP results. |
|
| KJ4NWZ |
Rating: |
2014-03-27 | |
| Miracle Whip QRP Antenna User Forum of FB |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
To all Miracle Whip owners and users. I searched for a group site on fb for the MW but could not find one, so I started one. All are welcome to join. I need some help with my mayonnaise antenna too.
----------------------
Earlier 2-star review posted by KJ4NWZ on 2013-06-19
I have had my MW for a year now. Great 2m antenna. I have yet to make a single HF contact. I modified it to accept a counterpoise earlier this year and still, nothing. I've seen all the Youtube videos with hams using the MW to talk to people on Pluto but I haven't been able to qso anyone around the block. I'll keep trying. By the way, I bought it for $120 from HamCity in CA. Now I hear Universal Radio has it for nearly $200. Not worth it. |
|
| N4QA |
Rating: |
2013-12-31 | |
| Fair receiving antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Perhaps not the classic Miracle Whip, mine appears to be somewhat different from commonly described units:
http://tinyurl.com/Miracle-Antenna
Copy & paste...
No QSOs as yet but have received several RBN spots while CQing at 5 watts out on 20 meters CW.
Does work as a fair receiving antenna, used next to my easy chair in the sunroom w/ no counterpoise.
It is what it is, as they say...
72,
Bill, N4QA
|
|
| KB1VXP |
Rating: |
2013-10-06 | |
| Miracle Whip Ducker review |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have been using the Miracle Whip Ducker Antenna for about a year now. I use mostly for 20 M SSB, and some 2 M. For HF, I found a counterpoise was necessary. I typically use from a hotel room and I have made frequent 20 M contacts with just 5 W output from my FT 817. QSO's range from a few hundred miles to well over 2,000 miles. This antenna is nothing short of amazing, but I found that a counterpoise is absolutely critical.
----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KB1VXP on 2012-03-24
This review is for the miracle ducker TL. I have to say I am very impressed with performance. Just purchased used one on EBay for $112 and have had QSOs with Germany and England from NH using my FT 817 while sitting in my kitchen. I did use a counter poise cut for 20m. Both copied me at S4. The results eat for themselves, not much else to say. Very happy with performance. |
|
| N4KZ |
Rating: |
2013-06-20 | |
| Compromise but it does work |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've had my Miracle Whip for about 3 years. I have used it with my FT-817ND and made several CW contacts. I have used it mainly on 20 meters. My first two QSOs with it were from my kitchen table. I am not antenna restricted but liked the challenge of making contacts with an antenna designed for portability and convenience -- not performance. My first two contacts with my FT-817ND on the kitchen table with the MW plugged into the back were with a G and D4 stations. Europe and Africa. Not bad. Both of those guys had big antenna arrays to compensate for what I didn't have but, hey, I made the contacts. Later, I took the rig and MW to Florida and make several contacts from the beach on 20 CW and worked around the U.S. The workmanship is good and while the MW is designed for convenience and portability, it does work. In all cases, I attached a single counterpoise wire from the rig's ground screw on the back. That part is highly recommended.
73, N4KZ |
|
| M0TXP |
Rating: |
2013-03-29 | |
| suprised |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I got this antenna along with a yaesu ft817 i bought secondhand
I sort of threw this antenna to one side as you cant argue with the law of physics as this mw is a little on the small side
I was upstairs in the shack today(spare bedroom), i plugged in to my 817 with no radials, i got the vswr to about 1.7 (reflections in the room)
The 817 was placed on a stool and plugged in to my psu
I heard a e7 station calling on 20m so i called him back thinking "he wont hear me"
Well he came back with a 59 report then called a LZ station and he give me a 59 report
Now i think that a 59 report was maybe a little OTT, but the thought that someone could hear me this good with this antenna indoors is sort of a miracle.
As long as you know what the antenna was made for you wont be dissapointed
I can only wonder what this would work like on a beach
One thing for sure i will be keeping hold of it
73
Paddy (2E0TXP) |
|
