EchoTracer3 — Technical Overview

EchoTracer3 WideBand eProbe (10 kHz – 1.5 GHz)

The EchoTracer3 is a rugged active E-field receive probe (“eProbe”) designed for predictable, linear wideband monitoring. It combines a 1 m whip element (RVS stainless or brass) — optionally top-loaded with a 15 cm capacitive hat — with a high-impedance wideband MMIC buffer, multi-stage protection, and selective suppression in the VHF region.

With the default HF-focused whip configuration, EchoTracer3 delivers strong performance from ~10 kHz up to ~200 MHz. For VHF/UHF and monitoring into L-band, EchoTracer3 supports shorter whip options, extending practical coverage to ~1.5 GHz (whip-dependent).

Core Specifications

Whip Length Recommendations (10 kHz – 1.5 GHz)

Key Circuit Features (EchoTracer3 REV1)

• Multi-stage surge & ESD protection: gas discharge tube + ultra-low capacitance ESD diode + series ferrite impedance + high-voltage bleeder path, followed by a secondary clamp close to the MMIC input.
• FM broadcast notch (88–108 MHz): attenuates strong local FM energy to reduce overload and VHF intermodulation risk.
• Wideband MMIC buffer: high-impedance input behaviour with a controlled, low-impedance output for long coax runs; powered and stabilized with local decoupling and filtering.
• Controlled output level: a nominal -10 dB pad improves matching and reduces VHF levels where overload is most likely.
• VHF/UHF shaping above ~100 MHz: a small frequency-dependent branch and feedback sampling are used to keep the top-end response predictable and linear (not “gain chasing”).
• Coax interface noise control: transformer/isolated-style coupling and a broadband common-mode choke at the interface help reduce feedline-noise coupling.
• Bias-T power extraction & regulation: on-board filtering and a shunt regulator create a stable ~10 V rail, improving repeatability across installations.

Placement & Grounding (This Matters for Every E-Probe)

• Place it away from local noise: outdoors is best; otherwise at least away from switching PSUs, routers, LED drivers, and house wiring.
• Use a non-metallic mast: plastic or fiberglass is recommended. A practical mast height is ~2–4 m for most installations.
• The coax shield is the reference: an E-probe needs a stable “ground reference” to convert local E-field into a voltage. EchoTracer3 intentionally uses the coax shield as the primary reference.
• Bond the coax shield properly: a low-impedance connection to station ground/earth is key. In many setups, a single-point ground at the receiver end works best.
• Common-mode control: the probe includes common-mode suppression at the interface; in noisy QTHs, add a high-quality choke at the shack end as well.
• Clearance: keep at least ~1.5 m from large conductive structures; ~2 m is a good target when possible.

Integrated GDTs increase robustness, but they do not make any outdoor antenna system lightning-safe. Always disconnect outdoor antennas during thunderstorms.

Recommended Mounting Heights (Starting Points)

• HF focus (10 kHz – 30 MHz): ~3–5 m is a strong starting point with the 1 m whip + hat.
• All-band compromise: ~2–4 m with good isolation and grounding often outperforms “higher but noisier” locations.
• 6 m (50 MHz): higher helps for line-of-sight; start ~4–8 m if practical.
• 2 m / 70 cm and above: treat it as wideband monitoring — height helps for range, but clean coax reference and choking often matter more than the last meter.

Metal roofs or large conductive surfaces nearby can act as effective ground planes and can improve coupling — but they can also carry noise. Always evaluate SNR at your QTH.

Performance Notes (What to Expect)

• Default configuration is HF-strong: the 1 m whip (optionally hat-loaded) provides higher effective capacitance than a small “miniwhip plate,” typically translating into more usable signal voltage in LF/HF.
• VHF intermodulation risk is actively addressed: FM suppression, controlled attenuation, and frequency-dependent response shaping help keep behaviour above ~100 MHz more predictable.
• Coverage to 1.5 GHz is whip-dependent: for best VHF/UHF/L-band monitoring, use shorter whips (especially 25 cm) and accept the trade-off of reduced lower-HF performance.
• Install quality matters: the probe can only be as “quiet” as its reference. Poor grounding and uncontrolled common-mode currents can make any E-probe noisier than it needs to be.

Whip Material Comparison

Result: Choose brass when optimizing for maximum weak-signal performance at VHF/UHF; choose RVS for long-term outdoor durability with minimal maintenance.

PSKReporter Statistics

Statistics taken on 2025-10-12. The antenna is mounted on a 1.25 m wooden pole in an RFI-infested area, yet still receives remarkably well — even DX on the top bands!

Note: These measurements were made using a WEB-888 SDR receiver, which has limited dynamic range. If performed with a higher-end Airspy or a quality transceiver, the results would typically be even stronger and cleaner across all bands.

160M Top Monitors by Number of Different Countries Reported

80M Top Monitors by Number of Different Countries Reported

60M Top Monitors by Number of Different Countries Reported

Package Contents

• EchoTracer3 module with selected whip configuration (typically 1 m; other lengths optional)
• Stainless steel mounting plate (RVS316)
• Bias-T (F-type to SMA, DC over coax)
• Coax bundle (length depends on kit / option)
• SMA-to-BNC jumper cable

Optional:

• Top-loading capacitive hat (15 cm diameter)
• RVS ground peg with integrated RX line isolator
• Additional coax lengths up to 100 m
• Alternative whip lengths (75 cm / 50 cm / 25 cm) depending on target band coverage

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