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Chameleon MPAS 2.0.

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  • 01-06-2020 2:01am
    #1
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭


    I have the MPAS 2.0 a few days now, very impressed

    These are the contacts I made last night on 20m. 100 Watts, FT-891.

    9Z4FE In Trinidad and Tobago

    TA0TA In istanbul Turkey

    KE4LJH IN Palm City, Florida.

    KP4PR In Puerto Rico

    To say I was impressed was an understatement.

    See below pics of the Antenna.

    [URL="[img]https://i.imgur.com/jTlZCKB.jpg[/img]"]
    jTlZCKB.jpg[/URL]

    [URL="[img]https://i.imgur.com/GxjzhxI.jpg[/img]"]GxjzhxI.jpg[/URL]


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    #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The last few nights I've been listening only, no transmitting and comparing the difference between the MPAS 2.0 and the Hyendfed.nl 5 Band MK III and it's amazing to hear DX stations come in so clear on the MPAS compared to the EFHW. Maybe not just DX stations but stations further than say 1000 kms +

    The MPAS is also a lot quieter but I attribute this to having less overall gain hence less noise but all the same signals practically inaudible on the EFHW can be copied on the MPAS.

    However, Reverse for NVIS or stations maybe up to 500 Kms, on the EFHW signals are much stronger at least on 80m but the MPAS is a big compromise on 80m which is probably the main reason. The EFHW is also a compromise due to being only 21 meters but has a coil for 80m.

    LW and MW reception is much better on the EFHW, the MPAS seems to be good on SW but haven't tested it much on the commercial SW bands.

    I have the remote server set back up for the 7300 so I can compare my myantennas.com EFHW-8010.

    I know Vertical antennas are better for DX due to the lower take off angle but I am not sure if the same applies for receiving ?


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    #3
    Popoutman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,363 ✭✭✭Popoutman


    There's a direct relationship between the receive and transmit behaviour of an antenna. If an antenna transmits well in a particular direction and angle, it will also be more sensitive to receiving signals from that direction as well.

    Sometimes it'll appear as all of the signals + noise floor raising by the same amount (related to SWR) but the underlying sensitivity is definitely seen as increased SNR from the directions that a transmission would do well towards.

    I've been doing a lot of reading up and basic receive experimentations as I start to build up the basics of a shack for myself. Interesting to note that increasing gain is nothing more than robbing Peter to pay Paul - an antenna that's +10dB just means that it's more directional relative to the ideal free-space dipole.

    My antenna playing has been limited due to Covid-19 quarantine due to travel, so I've literally been flinging wires out the window to see what works :) I built an EFHW, tuned for 20m, and it's amazing to see how well it's performing compared to an end-fed randomwire, but the randomwire was running along a house wall for a third of its length so lost lots of signal. After my quarantine is lifted next week, I get to stick wires in the air on telescopic fishing poles and see how well they pick up.


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    #4
    Storm 10
    Registered Users Posts: 5,882 ✭✭✭Storm 10


    Hi Guys listener only here what are the best frequencies to listen into this overseas and to Europe as well.


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    #5
    Malmsteen
    Registered Users Posts: 131 ✭✭Malmsteen


    Nice set up MadLad.. any link for the antenna..Cheers..


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    #6
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Storm 10 wrote: »
    Hi Guys listener only here what are the best frequencies to listen into this overseas and to Europe as well.

    Probably best to create a new thread as your question would get higher visibility.

    Tonnes to listen to.

    Check out any of the Kiwi sdr radios from around the world. http://kiwisdr.com/public/

    You'll find my sdrs there too "emerald sdr and emerald sdr1 Carlow.


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    #7
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Malmsteen wrote: »
    Nice set up MadLad.. any link for the antenna..Cheers..

    https://chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-mpas-modular-portable-antenna-system-20

    That's the manufacturers link.

    I got it from here. But I didn't pay that price, guess I was lucky :-)

    https://www.hamradio.co.uk/aerials-antenna-manufacturers-chameleon/chameleon/cha-mpas-modular-portable-antenna-system-2-0-pd-11215.php


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    #8
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Got Glen again, 8P6NW in Barbados with the MPAS 2.0 and FT-891 @100 Watts.

    I'm still amazed, just using the single supplied radial. Sure, I had to call him a long time, there was a lot of Big European stations calling him probably with 1 Kw + power but I got him again, great antenna and very quiet receive.

    Not bad for a portable antenna you can get up in 5 mins!


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    #9
    Storm 10
    Registered Users Posts: 5,882 ✭✭✭Storm 10


    I am interested in listening to the Radio Hams as well what are the best frequencies to listen for them.


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    #10
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Storm 10 wrote: »
    I am interested in listening to the Radio Hams as well what are the best frequencies to listen for them.

    If you go to one of the Kiwi Radios in the link above you will see a drop down box " select band " with all the bands starting from commercial Long Wave all the way to Shortwave bands, you'll then see a list of Amateur radio bands.

    Go through them all, different bands are more active at different times of the day/night year depending on propagation ( conditions )

    Then there are aircraft frequencies then as you figure it all out there are digital frequencies and software to decode the likes of PSK31 and JS8Call, Olivia is another fascinating mode, these allow Keyboard to Keyboard communications and some such as JS8Call and Olivia work at very low signal levels way below that at which Voice communications work so even at 5 watts transmitter power you could still have communication with someone in North or even South America if conditions are good enough, good antenna etc. But you'll be only listening.

    Any thoughts about getting your license ?

    Also, get yourself a real radio such as the Tecsun PL-680, https://www.anon-co.com/product/tecsun-pl680-ssb-radio it's got a really good receiver and it's one of the quietest receivers I've ever heard and it's very sensitive with really good analogue sound, it shames a lot of even new ham rigs even my IC-7300.

    Get a good antenna, the Bonito MA 305 is a really fantastic and tiny antenna. Get good quality coax such as H155 and ground the coax, this is very important to reduce static noise. The MA-305 is a good match for this radio or any portable radio because it provides a good signal level that won't overload the radio unlike many other antennas.

    External antenna is the only real way to go, the difference is night and day, get it up high and away from the house as far away as possible. Then turn off all non used phone chargers, laptop chargers etc as all these cause noise. Bad cheap LED bulbs too, buy only branded bulbs and stay away from the likes of Woodies no name dirt, buy Philips/Osram, same goes for flood lights.


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    #11
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I got Germany on 40m last night, Russia, on 20m and Azores and Barbados on 20m with the MPAS 2.0.

    Really happy with this "portable" antenna.

    I took me a while to get the Azores and Barbados contacts because of a big pileup and it's hard to compete with Yagi antenna and 1 Kw + of power when you only have 100 Watts, still the fact I consistently get South America with the MPAS is proof of it's performance, 6 - 8,000 Kms. On 20m at least.

    I've been using this antenna all the time lately and it's a very quiet antenna.


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    #12
    Storm 10
    Registered Users Posts: 5,882 ✭✭✭Storm 10


    Mad Lad Also, get yourself a real radio such as the Tecsun PL-680, https://www.anon-co.com/product/tecsun-pl680-ssb-radio
    it's got a really good receiver and it's one of the quietest receivers I've ever
    heard and it's very sensitive with really good analogue sound, it shames a lot
    of even new ham rigs even my IC-7300.

    I have Roberts R861 Radio excellent radio, not into getting a licence as my main interests are Marine and Aviation, but I like to listen to hams some evenings. I have had more radios than I care to remember Kenwood R2000 and R5000 some Icoms really sorry that I sold them. I use a 30ft long wire to receive.


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    #13
    Malmsteen
    Registered Users Posts: 131 ✭✭Malmsteen


    Should try WebSDR's as MadLad has described I use them online alot:

    Ireland. http://emeraldsdr1.proxy.kiwisdr.com:8073/

    Netherlands. http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/

    Uk. http://hackgreensdr.org:8901/

    Very easy to use and you can scan around the bands to your hearts content, online.


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    #14
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Still having a ball with the MPAS 2.0 and FT-891, the receiver on the 891 is just so quiet compared to the 7300 or G90, I could listen to the FT-891 all day and night and not feel fatigued. Perhaps it's it's analogue design, the Audio isn't processed digitally so much but whatever it is I hardly use the 7300 now at all.

    Anyway, Still getting South America with the MPAS 2.0, and I was talking to a Ham in Florida last night all on 20m.

    Haven't made any DX on 40m yet, it's not going to be as efficient as on 20m but I've been spending most of the time I have on 20m.

    I plan to add more radials soon.


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