This item is only available for purchase directly
from Pixel Technologies.
New Magnetic Loop for Improved Reception and Noise Rejection (Receive-Only
Antenna)
NOT YOUR FATHER’S LOOP ANTENNA
Based on the work of Dr Carl Baum for the US Air Force his “Moebius Strip
Shielded Magnetic Loop Antenna” architecture provides superior performance over
that of other commercially available wide-band loop antennas in the 100 kHz to
30 MHz range (see attached user evaluation).
Dr Baum was a Senior Scientist at the US Air Force Research Laboratory and is
the recipient of several awards from the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers) for his work. Originally developed for a classified US Air
Force project involving the measurement of EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) from
nuclear weapons, this design has wide application to antennas for low- noise,
interference-free radio reception over a wide frequency range. Pixel has coupled
this antenna with a low-noise amplifier with very high intermodulation
distortion (IMD) specifications (OIP3 = +46 dBm, OIP2 > +90dBm) that can operate without
saturating in high AM and FM broadcast band signal environments.
Features:
- Unique Moebius Loop architecture provides enhanced performance over
standard loops
- Very low IMD, 30 dB Low-Noise Preamp insures good performance in both
strong and weak signal environments
- Up to 30 dB rejection of locally radiated noise compared to whip
antennas
- Figure eight directivity and deep nulls to further reduce interference.
- Primary coverage range: 100 kHz to 30 MHz
- Rejects power line noise
- Rugged construction, easily mounts to a pole or flat vertical surface,
1m dia. aluminum loop, supplied with LNA, power inserter and DC power supply
- No manual tuning necessary
- No Home Owners Association problems; low profile, easy to camouflage and
works at ground level
- Modular design for easy installation and maintenance
- Adjustable output level to optimize output for your radio
- Made in the USA
MAGNETIC LOOP ANTENNA ADVANTAGE
Most active antennas are the whip type and respond mainly to the
electrostatic-field portion of an electro-magnetic radio wave. The Magnetic Loop
responds primarily to the magnetic-field and this ensures high rejection of
nearby electric-fields. The intensity of the electric field is usually higher
than the magnetic-field when an antenna is close to interference sources such as
TVs, florescent lamps, power line wiring etc. By rejecting the electric-field
there is a reduction in local interference compared to other types of active and
passive antennas. Interference reduction is further enhanced by the deep nulls
of the antenna’s 'Figure-Eight' directivity pattern (see Figure 1) that can be
used to null out or reduce interference coming from a specific localized
direction.
INTERMODULATION
Some active antennas generate intermodulation products which can appear as
spurious signals interfering with reception. This
interference or second and third order intermodulation is caused by non
linearity in the amplifier producing signals which are usually the sum and
difference of strong AM or FM Broadcast stations and their harmonics. The RF
PRO-1A Moebius Loop has
been specifically designed to reduce intermodulation products to a minimum. The
third order intercept point is typically +46 dBm (OIP3) and the second order
intercept point is greater than +90 dBm (OIP2). The 1 dB compression point of
this amplifier is + 26 dBm making the levels of the intermodulation products
generally far below the atmospheric and man-made noise.
ANTENNA DESIGN
The RF PRO-1A Moebius Loop Antenna consists of a rigid light-weight ¾” diameter
anodized aluminum 1 meter loop and a balanced broadband amplifier that is housed
in a separate enclosure that can be mounted close to the antenna on its mast or
to any nearby flat surface. This configuration permits the insertion of optional
AM or FM broadcast band elimination filters (models BCB-1 and FMLPF-1) ahead of
the amplifier. These are not normally required for good performance, but are
available to provide the ultimate performance in extremely high RF signal
environments. A 20 volt DC regulated wall-socket mounted power supply and a
separate power inserter unit are provided. The antenna and amplifier have been
designed to permit the use of low-cost 75 ohm cable (RG-6 quad-shield
recommended). The maximum length is 1000 feet, but the frequency response will
be a function of the cable loss vs. length specifications. The power inserter
contains a matching transformer to match its output to 50 ohm input impedance
radios. For best results the antenna should be positioned approximately 15 feet
away from any buildings or other sources of interference.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Frequency response: 100 kHz – 30 MHz (Gain = 30 dB ±3 dB)
- DC power: 20 volts at 200 mA
- LNA OIP3: +46 dBm
- LNA OIP2: > +90 dBm
- 1dB compression point: +26 dBm
- NF: less than 2 dB (at 10 MHz)
- Antenna Diameter: 38 inches
- Maximum cable length between antenna and power inserter: 1000 feet
Included:
- 1 Loop Antenna
- 1 L-bracket pole mount
- 3 Saddle clamps
- 3 U-bolts
- 1 lot Mounting bolts and washers
- 2 Wall mount clamps
- 3 Weather boots
- 1 Power inserter
- 1 20 VDC power supply
- 1 lot Jumper cables
- 1 Low noise amplifier unit
- 1 F-female to male PL259 adapter
- 1 10 dB attenuator
- 1 6 dB attenuator
Download PRO-1A Spec Sheet & Evaluation
What's New?
