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MFJ-1868 - Discone Antenna for Broadband SDR receivers

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by VA2PV, Feb 8, 2018.

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  1. VA2PV

    VA2PV XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    The MFJ-1868 is a low-cost ultra-wide-band discone antenna, with a receive (RX) range of 25-1300 MHz and it can be used to transmit (TX) from 50-1300 MHz. It can handle up to 200 Watts SSB.

    Ideal for 6/2/11 Meters, 70/33/23 CM ham bands. Excellent for testing various transmitters or to be used with any wide band SDR receiver. Includes SO-239 connector, 50 feet coax with PL-259 installed, stainless steel elements and mounting hardware. If you are new to the hobby this is very good starting antenna.

    73
    Pascal VA2PV

     

    Attached Files:

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  2. AK5B

    AK5B XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    Cool video and antenna, Pascal---but the first thing I would do if I bought one of those would be to ditch the 50 feet of RG58 that it comes with (!) and replace it with low loss coax such as DXE400Max or Times Microwave LMR400. The RG59 can be used for HF which is what it's a lot more suited to.

    73,

    Jeff
     
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  3. NU4R

    NU4R XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    "Ideal for 6/2/11 Meters" I prefer my Shakespeare Big Stick for 11 meters. And, so sorry Pascal but, considering the continuing level of very poor customer service and dismal product reliability, I wouldn't consider anything from Mississippi State since my last and final conundrum with them.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2018
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  4. N9LCD

    N9LCD Ham Member

    SO-239 connectors for UHF???? Come on now!

    Broadband antennas are notorious for having peaks and "valleys" in their coverage. The valleys usually are right over what you want to monitor.

    And transmitting into one of those discones? Better make sure of the SWR or you may blow your finals if your rig doesn't havebuilt-in high SWR protection.

    BTW, these broadband discones aren't anything new. I was using one into a CV-253 /ALR converter in a AN/APR-4 in the early '80's!!!
     
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  5. KC0BIN

    KC0BIN Ham Member QRZ Page

    I heartily second the idea of the discone........just not the MFJ discone.

    Diamond, Comet, Hustler anything but an MFJ :eek:
     
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  6. AK5B

    AK5B XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    I used to think the same---but not all MFJ stuff is junk---sort of the same as Harbor Freight tools. Both companies get bad reps that are not always well deserved as many think.

    73,

    Jeff

    PS: I meant "The RG58..."(not RG59) in my earlier post...
     
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  7. VA2PV

    VA2PV XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    Hi Jeff, you’re right and that’s what most experienced ham’s will do. But the fact that they included the coax with the PL-259 already installed is a good thing for somebody getting started and that has fewer experiences. They can upgrade later on after learning how to improve reception. ;-)
    73 Pascal VA2PV
     
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  8. KN4JJB

    KN4JJB Ham Member QRZ Page

    You can find that discone from several sources. I have one I got off Amazon under a different name. It bothers me that it is suppose to go to 1.3GHz but it uses a SO-239 connector. I really wish that was an N connector. But, for the price I thought I'd give it a try. I should put it up in a few weeks. Mine will be feeding a SDR stick through a 30 dB LNA.
     
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  9. K5TED

    K5TED Ham Member QRZ Page

    Realistically, using a SO-239 to N connector at the antenna base you lose like 1dB. No big deal./\ This discone is not a lot different that the RatShack 20-043. It's a discone. Your experience may vary...
     
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  10. KC4LRR

    KC4LRR XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    Be Careful. Some metal looking parts are chrome plated plastic/resin/??? and break very easy... But- it does work well with my Uniden/Bearcat scanner. I used it with a RTL-SRD receiver connected to an old PC for a while.

    RJ
     
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  11. KN4JJB

    KN4JJB Ham Member QRZ Page

    Yeah, I agree although I think that when I put a PL-259/SO-239 mated combo on a VNA that it was closer to 3dB at a 1 GHz. But that's been awhile back and I could be mistaken.

    But, even dropping 3dB in a SDR receiver really isn't the end of the world. If I were using it in a transmitter application I might care a bit.

    I just don't see why they aren't making these things with the proper N connector as I can't imagine it would have any impact on manufacturing cost whatsoever.
     
  12. K8TDN

    K8TDN XML Subscriber QRZ Page

  13. KM6CND

    KM6CND Ham Member QRZ Page

    I did buy a discone for my SDR. The Comet was worth the extra $20.00, nice finish on the aluminium. I get excellent results on 2m, 6 and 440.
     
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  14. K0PJS

    K0PJS Ham Member QRZ Page

    I had an MFJ discone when I first got my license. I have a Radio Shack discone now and it's not as nice but works almost as good. Not a lot of gain but it is very useful. Only problem is it's so wideband I got IMD on certain Japanese radios. I can only imagine it could be a pain with Chinese radios.
     

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