EchoTracer: Compact Wideband E-Probe for 160–6M Reception
The EchoTracer is a compact, high-performance E-field probe antenna designed for wideband HF reception. Covering 160 meters through 6 meters, it brings high linearity and ultra-low noise performance into a slim, pole-mountable form factor. Engineered with the same core design principles as the VerticalVortex, the EchoTracer trades physical scale and active TX sensing for simplicity and size without compromising real-world performance.
Wideband E-Field Capture
The EchoTracer uses a 1-meter vertical probe as its sensing element—optimized for electric field pickup with a very high input impedance front-end. This makes it ideal for capturing weak signals in electrically noisy HF environments, from 1.8 MHz to 50 MHz.
Despite its compact design, it maintains exceptional immunity to nearby RF fields due to robust protection circuitry. With carefully selected ESD components, clamping diodes, and passive RF filtering, the EchoTracer withstands up to 1 kW transmit energy at 10 meters distance without degradation or failure.
Core Architecture
- Receive Element: 1-meter E-field vertical whip (non-resonant)
- Amplifier Core: MMIC with high-Z input
- Input Protection: TVS diodes, low-leakage BAV99 clamp, RF damping network
- Output Buffering: Mini-Circuits RLP-30+ transformer (50-ohm output)
- Mounting: Mast or pole-mountable, ground-referenced or floating ground compatible
Performance Summary
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 100 kHz – 55 MHz |
| Best Bands | 160 – 6 meters |
| Noise Figure | < 1 dB (HF range) |
| Output IP3 (OIP3) | +37 dBm |
| P1dB | > +18 dBm |
| TX Tolerance | Passive: 1 kW @ 10 m |
| Input Impedance | High-Z E-probe optimized |
| Output Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Supply Voltage | 10–15 VDC |
| Current Consumption | ~85 mA |
Use Cases
- DX listening and SDR monitoring on 160–6 meters
- Portable low-noise HF receive setups
- RX antenna for high-power transmit stations
- Companion for phased RX arrays (EchoTriad compatible)
EchoTracer vs. VerticalVortex
While the VerticalVortex is a high-power, ground-mounted 6m E-probe with active TX detection, the EchoTracer delivers similar linearity and bandwidth in a smaller, passively protected package. This makes it ideal for:
- Limited space environments
- Lightweight portable setups
- Permanent installations near TX paths where switching is not required
Conclusion
The EchoTracer proves that compact can still mean powerful. With passive RF protection, high linearity, and true wideband performance, it is a versatile and resilient E-probe solution for HF to 6-meter reception—ideal for both field use and permanent station installations.
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Written by Joeri Van Dooren, ON6URE – RF, electronics and software engineer, complex platform and antenna designer. Founder of RF.Guru. An expert in active and passive antennas, high-power RF transformers, and custom RF solutions, he has also engineered telecom and broadcast hardware, including set-top boxes, transcoders, and E1/T1 switchboards. His expertise spans high-power RF, embedded systems, digital signal processing, and complex software platforms, driving innovation in both amateur and professional communications industries.