I have been evaluating a MFJ-1026 for several weeks here now to assist with
a noise I have on 160m and, to a lesser extent, 80m. Although I havent
integrated it into my contest station, here are my observations. There is
probably
no real news here if you followed this thread before (may have been discussed
here or on Topband reflector, I cant recall):
1. The unit DOES work, and very well. The downside is that its finicky to
adjust. Mine, on 160, needs re-adjustment about every 20 khz. Becasue of this,
I
can see where this unit may useful to the DXer but a much lesser extent to
the contester.Of course, if the noise was so bad that you can't operate the
band without the noise canceller, than you would have to have it in the line
and readjust often. In my case, the unit isnt essential, just nice to have to
hear that last layer of stuff.
2. Now, its uselfulness holds true only if you use an external noise
antenna. The whip supplied is useless. Just about anything will work as an
"external
noise antenna" but the unit works best when that antenna hears the noise
better than your normal antenna. Your choice of a 5BTV as a noise antenna is
probeably very adequate.
3. In addition, if you have multiple noise sources the unit's effectiveness
is diminished. It will phase two antennas fairly well to get rid of one noise
but cant do very well on multiple noises. It was never designed to do that.
4.To protect the Aux Antenna input, it employs a internal, soldered in, 12v
dial lamp as a "fuse". If you are the careless kind you may want to modify
this to avoid having to remove the unit from the case, unsolder the lamp and
resolder in a new one if that terminal gets large input voltage from xmtr.
Time
consuming if you are contesting or just DXing and the unit is the only reason
you are hearng the DX.
My overall assessment, so far, is that it works as advertised if you use an
external noise antenna and if you have a singular noise source. However, it is
too finicky (narrowbanded?) for my contest use.
Good luck with whatever you chose!
73, Bob K8IA
nr The Superstition Mtns
Arizona, USA
http://members.aol.com/bobk8ia/
In a message dated 1/22/05 3:01:54 AM US Mountain Standard Time,
domino@worldlynx.net writes:
I'm interested in the groups comments on these units and the best all around
type of noise antennas. I'm thinking of using an old 5BTV that I have.
WY3D
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See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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