RF Guru
EchoTracer3 — An active WideBand RX E-Probe — 10 KHz to 1.5 GHz
EchoTracer3 — An active WideBand RX E-Probe — 10 KHz to 1.5 GHz
Couldn't load pickup availability
If you order coax cables together with connectors, we will crimp the connectors for free before shipping.
Listen to our SDRs
Hear EchoTracer3 and our other antennas live on remote SDRs.
EchoTracer — Technical Overview
The Truth About Low Noise Figures
Comparison of Active RX Antennas
Clever Phasing — Why These Arrays
Why Most RX Antennas Excel at DX
The EchoTracer3 is a rugged, wideband E-field receive antenna covering 10 kHz to 1.5 GHz, depending on the selected whip configuration. For wideband HF reception, the recommended setup is a 1 m stainless-steel whip with top-loading hat, providing excellent results from 10 kHz to 200 MHz with a strong HF focus. Shorter whip configurations extend the practical focus further into VHF and UHF. The latest design combines low-noise wideband amplification, integrated FM broadcast rejection, multi-stage surge and ESD protection, improved high-frequency feedback, fail-safe whip grounding, and professional outdoor mechanics.
Included
- EchoTracer3 (sealed enclosure)
- Stainless-steel mounting plate
-
One of these whips:
- 1 meter stainless steel or brass
- 1 meter stainless steel + top-loading hat (best for wideband HF)
- Modular brass whip: 25 cm fixed + 25 cm and 50 cm extensions and 2 long nuts
Optional / Not Included
- Bias-T for feeding power through the coax — available separately and not included
- RX Disconnect on TX for automatic receiver protection during transmission — available separately and not included
- 75 Ω receive-line isolator with integrated ground peg for the mast base
- Low-loss 75 Ω coax for the short antenna-to-isolator connection
- Low-loss 75 Ω coax for the longer mast-to-shack feedline
- F-type connectors — 3× outdoor + 1× indoor (free crimping)
1) Short jumper (75 Ω, 1–10 m) from EchoTracer3 to Isolator #1 at the mast base.
2) Long run of low-loss 75 Ω coax towards the shack.
3) Isolator #2 before the coax enters the shack.
Order 3× outdoor + 1× indoor F connectors — we’ll crimp them for you.
When Bias-T power is removed, EchoTracer3 automatically grounds the whip. For stations where receiver protection must follow transmit activity automatically, the complementary RX Disconnect on TX is available separately. It is not included with EchoTracer3.
Key Features
- Frequency coverage: 10 kHz – 1.5 GHz, depending on whip configuration The 1 m stainless-steel whip with top-loading hat is recommended for 10 kHz – 200 MHz.
- Wideband receive design: optimized for low-noise reception across HF, VHF, and UHF
- Strong-signal performance: high-linearity amplification with a controlled output level
- Improved upper-frequency behaviour: dedicated feedback improves operation above 100 MHz while limiting unwanted mixing products
- Surge & ESD protection: multi-stage protection at both the whip input and coax output
- FM broadcast rejection: integrated dual-section notch filtering for the FM broadcast band
- Output isolation: galvanically isolated 75 Ω F-type output with additional common-mode suppression
- Fail-safe grounding: removing Bias-T power automatically grounds the whip
- Whip material options: brass or marine-grade stainless steel
- Power: supplied through the coax using a separately available Bias-T, with reverse-polarity protection and internal voltage regulation
Whip Length Recommendations
| Whip setup | Best use | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 1 m stainless steel + top-loading hat (default) | 10 kHz – 200 MHz (HF focus) | Strongest wideband HF results |
| 75 cm | < 400 MHz | Less lower-HF compromise than 50 cm |
| 50 cm | < 600 MHz | More compromise on lower HF than 75 cm or 1 m |
| 25 cm | 10 MHz – 1.5 GHz | Best choice when focusing on VHF and UHF up to 1.5 GHz |
Placement & Grounding
Install EchoTracer3 on a plastic or glass-fibre mast, away from buildings and local noise sources. A mast length of approximately 2–4 m maximum is recommended. Ground the installation at the bottom of the mast and bond the coax braid at the mast base using a suitable ground connection.
Keep the antenna and feedline separated from transmitting antennas and high-power RF cabling. For automatic QRO protection, use the separately available RX Disconnect on TX.
Maintenance
For outdoor installs, apply a thin layer of copper grease to all whip threads and extension joints before assembly. This prevents seizing and galling, reduces corrosion, and keeps modular sections easy to remove after months outside. Copper grease is available in the complementary products above this description.
Tip: keep RF connectors clean and dry — do not apply grease inside the connector.
Technical Specs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Coverage | 10 kHz – 1.5 GHz, depending on whip configuration |
| Recommended HF Setup | 1 m stainless-steel whip with top-loading hat: 10 kHz – 200 MHz |
| Output Impedance | 75 Ω |
| Output Connection | Galvanically isolated F-type connection |
| Broadcast Rejection | Integrated dual-section FM broadcast notch |
| Protection | Multi-stage surge and ESD protection at input and output |
| Power-Off State | Whip automatically grounded when Bias-T power is removed |
| Power | Via Bias-T through the coax; Bias-T available separately and not included |
| Whip Options | 25 cm / 50 cm / 75 cm / 1 m (+ top-loading hat) |
| Polarization | Vertical (E-field) |
| Weight | ~1 kg |
| Operating Temperature | −20 °C to +50 °C |
| Pole Mount | Ø 30–68 mm |
Mini-FAQ
- Which whip length should I choose? — Use 1 m + top-loading hat for HF-focused reception from 10 kHz–200 MHz, 75 cm below 400 MHz, 50 cm below 600 MHz, or 25 cm when focusing on 10 MHz–1.5 GHz.
- Is a Bias-T included? — No. A Bias-T is required to supply power through the coax and is available separately as a complementary product.
- What happens when Bias-T power is removed? — The internal relay automatically grounds the whip.
- How should I protect the receiver in a QRO station? — Removing power grounds the whip. For protection that follows transmit activity automatically, use the separately available RX Disconnect on TX; it is not included.
- Can I use EchoTracer3 in phased arrays? — Yes, it is suitable for phased E-probe receive systems.
- Does the FM notch affect 6 m? — No. The filtering is designed for the FM broadcast band.
- Which whip material should I choose? — Brass offers excellent electrical conductivity; stainless steel offers greater outdoor and marine durability.
- How should I ground the installation? — Use a plastic or glass-fibre mast and bond the coax braid to ground at the mast base.
Share
