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Reviews For: AMeco TPA Active Antenna

Category: Antennas: HF Portable (not mobile)

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Review Summary For : AMeco TPA Active Antenna
Reviews: 3MSRP: $80
Description:
MF-HF tunable 20 DB gain battery powered preamp with built-in whip and provisions for connecting an external wire.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.amecocorp.com/electronic.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0033
W6UXB Rating: 2017-04-06
DOA Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought mine from Universal DOA, they had a second one in stock that was also not working, definately need more QC
KD5MTB Rating: 2010-08-20
GREAT VALUE Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I AM USING THIS ANTENNA WITH A KENWOOD R-600. MY ANTENNA IS AS SIMPLE AS YOU CAN GET, ABOUT 20-30 FEET OF WIRE STUCK OUT MY WINDOW AND UP IN LOWER TREE BRANCHES ABOUT 7 1/2 FT. OFF OF THE GROUND.

1. THE TPA CAN BE OFF AND JUST THE STRAIGHT ANTENNA IS USED.

2. WITH THE PREAMP IN THE OUT POSITION IT WORKS AS A PREAMP FOR THE EXTERNAL ANTENNA. I USUALLY DON'T SEE TO MUCH DIFFERENCE USING IT THAT WAY.

3. WITH THE PREAMP IN THE "IN" POSITION THE TPA USES THE THE PULL-UP ANTENNA. IT REALLY WORKS WELL THIS WAY. IF YOU ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU CAN'T HAVE A OUTSIDE ANTENNA, THIS ONE IS WORTH THE MONEY. IT OFTEN IS BETTER THAT JUST USING THE OUTSIDE ANTENNA, ALTHOUGH I OFTEN USE IT THAT WAY TO SAVE THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY LIFE SEEMS GOOD AS WELL.

I BOUGHT THIS NEW AND DIRECT FROM AMECO AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS VERY VERY GOOD.

I AM VERY PLEASED AND LOOK FORWARD TO PUTTING UP A REALLY GOOD OUTSIDE ANTENNA TO TRY THE TPA ON. I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL PREFORM AS EXPECTED.
K8DXX Rating: 2003-12-17
Better than MFJ Equivalent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Picked this unit up used, including wall wart power supply for $45, delivered. It retails for between $69 and $80. I have seen these sell for more than retail on eBay. So, beware!

It performs as advertised. Turn it on. Flip the in/out switch to 'IN' to put the preamp in-line. Set the band switch. Tune for maximum signal strength or band noise. Finally, set preamp gain to an appropriate level.

I use the TPA to facilitate ham band recieve on a battery powered FT 817 within the confines of our apparently RF-proof house. I power the TPA with an internal 9 volt battery, easily accessible by removing two screws which disassembles the cabinet. It does a fine job at bringing up signals, band noise, etc. Unfortunately, it also amplifies electrical noise within the house, which can't be helped. All things considered, it works better than a 15 foot wire connected to the radio and hung between curtain rods!

I have also owned the MFJ 1020 active antenna. They function more or less the same. Fit and finish on the Ameco is clearly superior. The whip antenna is heavier and mounted on a nice swivel. The MFJ's whip just comes up through a hole in the cabinet. The cabinet of the Ameco is easier to disassemble (for changing the battery). Despite the fact that the MFJ has a metal cabinet (which in my case, had some sharp edges) and the TPA is plastic, the Ameco TPA appears to produce less feedback between the preamp and receiver when placed close together.