MFJ 1026 works

It can be a challenge to find antenna configurations where the MFJ-1026 actually improves the radio listening experience. The first few days of trying the device seemed transparent and switching it ON or OFF did not make any difference to the radio. Neither did any of the settings of the front panel dials change the signal at all. I tried a wire antenna as MAIN and the MFJ whip as AUX, the wire as AUX and one of the GRAHN loop antennas as MAIN, both GRAHN's next to each other on the desk, a GRAHN away from the radio and the whip as AUX. None of that nor any dial combo made a difference and it seemed the MFJ-1026 was transparent / indifferent.
Now I found one configuration that works on a frequency that I tried.
Both GRAHN antennas are somewhat distant from the radio. One is on MAIN and one on AUX of the MFJ-1026. While alternatively dialing MAIN and AUX to the max exclusively, I tweaked the direction and toggle options of the GRAHN antennas to each their optimal signal. Next I used them both and used their dials on the MFJ-106 to have them deliver an equally strong signal. Next I turned the PHASE dial and it turned out the most clockwise position had least noise.
Next, switching the MFJ-1026 to the OFF position (this feeds the MAIN antenna direct to the iCOM IC-R8600 radio) delivered a noisy signal as can be heard after a second or two. Switching the MFJ-1026 back ON considerably improved the signal as can be heard after a second or two.
Still, the most significant 'cleanup' of sound is done by activating the little bhi DSP device ;-)
See also:
swling.com/blo...

[@kirklawrence4326]

very inspirational, thank you! I am going to try this with my DX Eng loop.

[@palefire]

Thankyou Kirk! Let me know how it goes. SWLing posted about this as well: swling.com/blog/2022/04/frans-experiments-with-the-mfj-1026-noise-canceler/

[@tjbitt65]

At essentially the same cost, your bhI device seems to work much better imo.

[@palefire]

Yes it’s striking how great and effective the DSP at the audio end is compared to the tricky tweaks at the signal end. A much better antenna outdoors on the roof might be a tremendous improvement but alas not allowed by my landlord. So cannot check if that is true.

[@RU2AIM]

My Icom 7000 uses an *NB* to take out popping noises, which almost sounds like an automobile idling nearby with a bad spark plug, but I don't see an NB (Noise Blanker) on that receiver..?

[@palefire]

On the iCOM press the physical button labeled Function and on the touch screen you get Notch, NB, NR for the noise plus several other buttons for extras. Still it helps to get a more quiet antenna signal (and it’s fun to play with such tweaks) and at the audio exit of the receiver it helps a LOT to have a bhi DSP device.

[@motoxplay1752]

WAAUHHH !!!!!!!... ( WOOUHH... )
Me Flipó !!! Cómo dicen en España !!!!!
👉 **""ÉSTO SÍ...""
👉👉 Que ME GUSTÓ MUCHO Verlo !!!!!!...**
( Y También "me Hace Surgir Varias ideas....." PARA EXPERIMENTAR !!!!! )
de Construir MLA "PASIVOS" ( Tx y Rx ) Cómo Así También MLA "ACTIVOS" ( de Sólamente Rx )
Además La Posibilidad de UTILIZAR AMBOS... ( Lo más Alejados Posibles... ) En Dos Habitaciones Diferentes -por Ejemplo- y Con un "MUTE" ( Para el "Activo en Rx" DURANTE LOS MOMENTOS de TRANSMISIÓN... ( Para que NO Se Destruya "el Transistor Amplificador RF" POR FUERTES SEÑALES CAPTADAS !!!!! )
Otra Opción SERÍA Un MLA ( AFUERA "OUTDOOR" Rx en La Terraza por Ejemplo.... ) y el OTRO Adentro y BIEN CERCA del TRANSCEIVER... ( INDOOR Para TRANSMISIÓN , Teniendo Así Mucho Menores Pérdidas en el Coaxial "Feed Line"
SALUDOS !!! , ABRAZOS !!!!!
👉 y Buenos Contactos !!!!! 73 DX !!!!!!. 👍 👏👏👏
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