EME232 HF Active Whip Antenna
- EME232 Active Module Description:
Updated June 2022! - EME232 Application Block:
Updated June 2019! - Kit Constructors Alert:
- EME232 Kit Construction Notes:
- EME232 Alignment:
- EME232 Kit Performance Tests:
Updated Dec 21! - Antenna & Enclosure Mounting:
Updated Dec 21! - Kit changes and Updates:
- Buy a EME232 Kit:
The HF Active Whip Antenna has been designed to be easy to construct and install, and covers a wide frequency range from 100kHz to 80MHz. It is particularly useful for those that have antenna restrictions or limited space to install a full size receive only antenna, and can be used in antenna arrays for noise cancellation or beam forming. The design incorporates static and lightning protection, and has a broadband 50ohm output ( 75ohm optional ) output impedance suitable for driving most receivers. A J310 FET is used as the active device, and along with a complementary push pull output buffer producing high output second and third order figures reducing the possibility of inter modulation on the received signals. The design incorporates power supply decoupling so that power can be fed to the Active circuit via the coaxial cable.
The recommended Antenna is a 1.2 metre long stainless steel VHF whip antenna mounted onto a truck mirror mount. and but anything from 1 to 1.5 metres long is suitable including most telescopic car radio antennas. The Antenna is physically short for the low frequency HF bands, and will appear as a small 22pF capacitor to ground on the active input circuit. Antennas longer than around 1.8 metres, may increase the possibility of strong signals overloading the active circuit causing inter modulation. The active circuit and whip antenna is mounted onto a 2 metre long 1 inch 25.4mm diameter square or round aluminium tube. The active circuit can then be easily mounted onto the same tube, and then short connection wires are connected from the antenna to the active circuit. At least 3 ground radials 3 metres long each are laid along the ground for the best performance.
Testing indicated that receive signals below 10MHz may require an 10dB gain amplifier on the receiver input to increase signals to a more comfortable level due to the short antenna length. Some modern receivers incorporate preamplifiers that can simply be switched on, on the lower bands.
In very strong AM broadcast areas, some lower quality receivers without good filtering may suffer from inter modulation from strong signal overload. A suitable 1.8MHz high pass filter should be fitted at the receiver input to reduce broadcast band signal levels.
Top view of the EME232 Active Module
Bottom View of the EME232 Active Module
EME232 S21 Frequency response 0.1 to 100MHz. Gain is around -7dB using the recommended alignment setup
S22 Output Return Loss 0 to 100MHz into 50ohms
3MHz OpIP2 -89dBm with 0dBm input two tone 8 and 11MHz
5MHz OpIP3 with 0dBm input two tone 8 and 11MHz This equates to an OpIP3 of +39dBm
1/5/20 We are no longer able to supply the Aeropro AP90 or AP122 antennas as they are no longer being manufactured. It is suggested that standard grey 20mm electrical conduit is used with end caps to make a housing to support a wire antenna. Many of the required products can be purchased at a Bunnings store. For electrical conduit use DETA 20mm medium duty rigid conduit part number 4330846. DETA brand 20mm conduit mounting clips part # 4330822 can be used to mount the conduit against a suitable mast. Unfortunately Bunnings do not stock end caps, but you could possibly use 20mm chair caps part # 4050158. Alternatively silicone can be used to seal the ends of the conduit. Only thin wire is required for the antenna element, but it is suggested to use something like building wire as it can then be easily straightened.
DETA 20mm Medium duty rigid conduit
DETA 20mm conduit mounting clips