{"id":23486,"date":"2017-01-18T20:28:48","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T00:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=23486"},"modified":"2018-08-28T06:37:01","modified_gmt":"2018-08-28T10:37:01","slug":"dxpedition-antenna-testing-the-bonito-boni-whip-and-a-240-metre-barbed-wire-fence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/dxpedition-antenna-testing-the-bonito-boni-whip-and-a-240-metre-barbed-wire-fence\/","title":{"rendered":"DXpedition antenna testing: the Bonito Boni whip and a 240 metre barbed wire fence"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hi there, a few days ago I posted some reception videos comparing the performance of the Boni whip with a 30 metre longwire antenna at home, with a further check against the performance of the H field Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop. The conclusion of those tests was essentially confirmation that E field antennas don’t usually perform very well under a blanket of ‘electrosmog’ and that only on Longwave, did the Boni whip prevailed over the longwire; otherwise there was no usable difference in performance between the two.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Sony ICF-SW55 receiver \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ‘Quiet’ location for Boni whip test<\/em><\/p>\n

This prompted a number of my subscribers to ask when I would be taking the Boni whip on a DXpedition for an outdoor test against the Wellbrook and either a substantial longwire, or the 200 metre Beverage. Time is limited right now for a full test, however, I managed to throw together a kit of parts necessary to run a quick set of comparison tests with the whip, against the barbed wire fence I use for ad hoc DXing when out walking the dog! Over a period of an hour or so, I managed to copy a few stations on 31 and 49 metres and thus recorded signals using the Sony ICF-SW55 receiver with the Boni whip and barbed wire fence. Now previously, I have used that fence as an antenna for the excellent little Tecsun PL-310ET, with some nice results. However, after this series of tests, my views on the fence have changed a little. Obviously it might be somewhat directional and earthed along it’s length, neither of which I’ve checked, however, notwithstanding these performance-related factors, the performance of the whip which at home had been terrible, surprised me greatly. Text links to a set-up video and the reception videos on my\u00a0Oxford Shortwave Log<\/a> YouTube channel follow\u00a0directly below, with embedded videos at the end of the post.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Finally, if you’re looking for a well performing, compact and portable active antenna for outdoor use in quiet environments and of course, DXpeditions, I would definitely recommend the Boni whip. Just bear in mind that the SNR it delivers at home might not be usable for anything more than casual listening.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks for watching\/listening\/reading and I wish you all great\u00a0DX!<\/p>\n

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