Ordinarily, if you don't have a sizable garden space or you live in a flat without one at all and cannot run a long wire, an HF shortwave antenna might feel off-limits. That's where the X1-HF Antenna comes in, designed specifically for use in smaller spaces such as balconies that have room for a vertical HF antenna. 

Ideal for those who want to listen to shortwave but have limited space. Manufactured by Moonraker in the United Kingdom, the X1-HF provides an effective alternative to many of the larger wire and HF Antennas, but just how successful is it?

That's precisely what we're going to explore in this review. We'll take you through what you get for your money, our first impressions, and how you should put the X1-HF to best use. Let's get into it. 

What's in the Box?

The antenna comes with everything you need to get started. Assembly couldn't be more straightforward, as it is simply two parts that slot together. 

The antenna length extends up to 200 cm, with a 10M lead included, and it’s vertical thereby optimising small space usage. It comes complete with RG58 and PL259 to SMA connections. The mast extends up to 37mm or 1.5''.

This very beginner-friendly device requires minimal set-up and installation, so it has our recommendation at this stage. However, it isn't just installation that counts. We also need to understand how it performs when put to the test. Keep reading for our first impressions. 

X1- HF Antenna for Small spaces Review: Our Initial Impressions

One of the key aspects of the X1-HF is the internal wire traps instead of a long wire. The wire setup makes it perfect for those who want to listen to shortwave radio but don't have the space to accommodate a long wire antenna. 

Something else we enjoyed was how easy the installation process was. The antenna comes in two parts, a white base area to cover the loading coils and a whip that attaches to the top. 

The height of the antenna is 200 cm but breaks down into two sections, so it is easily portable and can fit into much smaller spaces than comparative devices. There are no additional radials required, and the top section is a flexible whip design to help accommodate whatever space you have available. Naturally, however, the performance of this antenna will improve the higher you can mount it, so keep that in mind

As advertised by Moonraker, the optimum reception range is between 1 and 50 MHz. We went through some popular HAM bands to put this to the test. Through 1 to 50 MHz, we found we could pick up clear audio even at the upper levels, with minimal interference or fallout. All in all, we were pleased by its performance, especially given its modest size.

What to Use the X1-HF Antenna For?

This antenna is for any radio enthusiast who wants to listen to shortwave but doesn't have the space to house larger, more intricate devices. However, it doesn't come at a cost in quality of reception signal. Between the band specified ranges of 1 MHz through to 50 MHz, the antenna is more than capable of picking up sound and reproducing it clearly. The transmission clarity can be further influenced by how high you choose to place your antenna.

In further testing, we branched out beyond the recommended 1 to 50 MHz range to see how well it could perform. We took it up to the FM broadcast band, and, surprisingly, the sound produced was clear. The testing indicates that the recommended range is purely for optimal performance, but you can push the antenna further if you so desire.

The flexible range is further demonstrated by the antenna's performance when pushed to the airband frequency range. While the audio isn't quite as clear as what we're used to from lower bands, there is still discernible speech detected with moments of total clarity. Of course, it isn't as effective as antennas designed for the higher bands, but we're impressed by its scope nonetheless.

It's important to note that this antenna is receive-only, so you won't be able to send signals out with it or broadcast. It could be a significant downside for some, but we still think the X1-HF holds its own. It achieves what it is designed to remarkably well, and we couldn't identify any significant problems during our test run.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the X1-HF Antenna gets our stamp of approval. It's effective when receiving across its recommended MHz bands and even demonstrated surprising capability when pushed that bit further. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it isn't designed to anyhow. If you are looking for an ideal, capable receiving antenna when limited in space, this is the perfect option for you.

Pick up the X1-HF Antenna from Moonraker today and outfit your flat or shed with clear reception.