Best antenna combo to use with MFJ-1026

[Need2Know]

My objective is to reduce the noise floor in several short wave bands.

With the antenna configuration described below, I'm not yet receiving the results I want - a significantly lower noise floor. I am not able to ID the noise sources, whether atmospherics (unfixable) or nearby point source noise.

I currently use an MLA-30 active loop antenna 12' high in my courtyard. It performs well.

The secondary "noise sensing" antenna connected to the 1026 is a rain gutter antenna (RGA) . It pulls in slightly less well than the loop, and is somewhat noisier.

With this antenna combination I'm not yet able to significantly reduce my noise floor with the MFJ-1026 noise reducer box.

What do you guys think a better noise sensing antenna might be for my MFJ1026 to accompany my main MLA-30 active loop to substitute for my current RGA as noise antenna?

My contraints: A very small courtyard back yard and an HOA.

The RGA itself is noisier than I would like and is likely a contributor to poor results.

I either need to improve my noise antenna or my noise sources aren't significantly addressable by the 1026.

 

[Need2Know]

Given that most who comment on this topic on other sites suggest "experimenting" because every situation is different, I bit the bullet and just ordered a second MLA-30 powered loop as recommended by MFJ. I'll be testing it out within a couple of weeks.

I am happy with my original MLA-30 reception.

This 2nd MLA-30 will be mounted about 6 feet lower than the original and about 10 feet away. So that will fit the criteria of this "sensing" antenna picking up a bit more noise than signal compared to the main/original antenna.

I don't know if 10 feet between them is enough distance, but I'll find out soon.

 

[c316buckeye]

Given that most who comment on this topic on other sites suggest "experimenting" because every situation is different, I bit the bullet and just ordered a second MLA-30 powered loop as recommended by MFJ. I'll be testing it out within a couple of weeks.

I am happy with my original MLA-30 reception.

This 2nd MLA-30 will be mounted about 6 feet lower than the original and about 10 feet away. So that will fit the criteria of this "sensing" antenna picking up a bit more noise than signal compared to the main/original antenna.

I don't know if 10 feet between them is enough distance, but I'll find out soon.

update on if the 10ft worked?

 

[nomadradio]

The best noise antenna is one that CAN'T hear the station you want to hear. The idea is for the noise antenna to only deliver nearby noise RF, and not bring in the desired signal. That would cancel out the station you want to hear along with the noise.

73

 

[BC Coyote]

My MFJ-1026 noise pickup antenna is 300 feet from my shop, down by the road where the noisy powerlines are. It is just a half wave vertical dipole (18 feet) made of wire stapled to the bottom of a tree. It is fed with 300 feet of shitty TV coax I got for free, and I use a broadband pre-amp at the shop to bring the noise level up to where the 1026 can use it. Result: It picks up a lot of noise and not much else.

This setup works amazingly. With careful tweaking of the phase and gain knobs, my 1026 can easily reduce S9 of powerline arcing noise down to S1 or less. Luckily my noise issue is of an occasional nature, so most of the time I don't need to run the 1026. Sure is nice to have when I need it though !

 

[c316buckeye]

thank you Mr Nomad and Mr Coyote. we're going to give it a shot with some cheap wire and other stuff. porch is 40ft long. noise coming from west, but have a major driveway with heavy traffic, a pole with 3 phase, and a major intersection to the west. beyond that 100ft is another pole with 4 blinking intersection lights, street light, and meter for that stuff(noise source) pt99 @ east side of porch. wasn't sure what i could get away with as far as those things go, beings this is a multi fam apartment with very few antenna options. i can also share your information with several people that have more options and noise, but are unaware of the 1026.

 

[BC Coyote]

I find my 1026 works great when dealing with ONE interference source. When there are multiple sources you can only usually phase out only ONE of them at a time.
In your case Buckeye, you may have multiple sources of noise. Of course, you won't know for sure until you get it all hooked up and see what the result is.