Home > Consumer Reviews > Kaito Amplified Active Loop AM & Shortwave Antenna, KA33

Yes, the antenna did give some improvement in reception for both SW and MW(AM) broadcasts. However, potential buyers new to SW radio should understand that it amplifies interference along with weak radio signals. But on fairly clean weak signals it is really helpful.

It should also be noted that my home location is not favorable for DX-ing - either SW or MW(AM) radio. In places like Mexico City however, this little antenna would most certainly excel - even when used with cheap SW or MW radios. My Kaito radio, when used with this antenna, compares unexpectedly well with my 15 pound Grundig Satellit 800 - when using only the Grundig's built-in antenna's - and using headphones on both radios.

Lastly, the antenna comes with several small pieces and perhaps should be kept together in the original box. For me this would take up too much room in my suitcase. I'll probably take the radio and leave the antenna at home when going on short trips.

This is a great product for what it does and for its cost. It is a totally indoor active antenna system that works for both mw (am) signals from 520-1710 KHz and for sw signals from ~3.9-22 MHz. According to detailed technical reviews it works best above 9 MHz, but I have found very good amplification even as low as 5 MHz as well. Very little amplification is available above 22 MHz so this is not the product you want for CB radio activities for example. Power is supplied by two AAA batteries resulting in very low noise and with very stable and long duration operation. There is an on-off switch on the main control unit with a red LED light that readily indicates the status of your activities (so that you don't forget to turn it off!). There is also an analog switch on the opposite side of the control unit from the power switch that needs adjustment as you change operating frequencies on your radio. It is a bit finicky to operate and a fairly small wheel to slowly turn, but it can be easily adjusted especially if your radio has a signal strength meter to watch while the wheel is turned.

The mw amplification works by induction by placing a small (supplied) ferrite rod close to the ferrite rod within your radio using a supplied set of clips (including a grounding clip for appropriately equipped desktop radios). The sw amplification works through a hanging wire attached to an elevated, triangular shaped arrangement with an extended, but collapsible telescopic antenna attached by a set of wires to a suction cup-hook arrangement. Both bands are amplified after first passing through a supplied heart-shaped amplification-junction box with a simple slide switch that can be set to either mw or sw depending on your current region of listening interest. A long cable (~15 feet) is also supplied so that the antenna can be placed at a considerable distance from your radio making it very convenient to set up as needed indoors.

However, for traveling, get yourself a small slip case to keep all the small parts in is my one gripe for this system. They do supply a stiff plastic container that the antenna system is shipped in from the factory at least to get you started.