[Lowfer] clifton labs antenna

[Douglas D. Williams]

I just wanted to let this group know how pleased I am with my new
Clifton Labs Z1501 active antenna and Z1203 power coupler. I had a
special request for Jack, the owner, that he move the lower -3db point
of the antenna and coupler down below 9kHz (the stock unit has a -3db
point of 20kHz, according to Jack). He was able to do this with flying
colors! The -3db point is now around 3kHz. Also, he was able to do
this without adversely affecting the Z1501's excellent intermodulation
performance.

As pleased as I am with the antenna, I am even more pleased with the
coupler. For over a year now, I have had a terrible QRM noise from
around 25kHz to 35+kHz (plus harmonics). When I installed the Z1501
yesterday, I neglected to connect the Z1203's ground lug to my station
ground. The VLF spectrum from 0-48kHz, as you can see, is very free of
QRM and power line crud. At first, I thought the offending QRM had
simply gone away. This morning I connected the ground lug of the Z1203
to my station ground (8ft ground rod connected to a central hub with
copper braid), and BAM, the crud and the offending QRM were back!
Obviously the offending signals and powerline crud are being
introduced via my station ground, and the Z1203 has some sort of
provision for isolating the receiver (in this case my PC sound card).
It is truly amazing at the difference, as you can see from the two
screenshots.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/Goranothos/z1203grounded.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/Goranothos/z1203ungrounded.jpg


I would like to publicly thank Jack for working with me and being
willing to modify one of his already excellent designs per my request.
Also, thank you Steve Ratzlaff for referring me to Clifton Labs. I am
very pleased.

-Doug KB4OER