At Tecsun Radios Australia, we pride ourselves on offering gear that’s been selected and tested by a genuine radio enthusiast who understands what Australian operators actually need. The latest addition to our range is the Endfed 4 Band Antenna (Cat # Q5014)—a practical, efficient solution for amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners alike.
This antenna has been chosen for its simplicity, flexibility, and dependable performance across multiple HF bands, making it an excellent option whether you’re operating from home or heading out portable.
Multi-Band Capability Without the Complexity
The Endfed 4 Band Antenna is designed to resonate on four key amateur HF bands:
- 40 metres
- 20 metres
- 15 metres
- 10 metres
Because these bands are harmonically related, the antenna achieves effective multi-band performance without requiring complex switching or tuning arrangements. This makes it especially appealing for operators who want to keep things straightforward while still enjoying broad band coverage.
Efficient Matching with a 49:1 Unun
A key feature of this antenna is the integrated 49:1 unun, which allows efficient impedance matching of the 20 metre wire radiator. In practical terms, this helps the antenna perform reliably across its intended bands, even when installed at modest heights.
Unlike many antennas that require significant elevation to work well, this design can operate effectively with the radiator positioned as low as one metre above ground level, giving you far more flexibility in how and where you deploy it.
Easy Installation in Real-World Conditions
One of the standout benefits of this antenna is just how easy it is to set up. It’s well suited to a wide range of installation scenarios, including:
- Backyard setups with limited space
- Portable or field operation
- Irregular layouts where a straight run isn’t possible
The radiator wire can be routed around corners without significant performance loss, which is a major advantage in suburban environments or when working around natural obstacles.
Ready to Go Out of the Box
To make setup as simple as possible, the antenna comes supplied with:
- 10 metres of RG-58 coaxial cable
- 2 x PL-259 to BNC female adaptor
- 1 x BNC to 3.5mm male adaptor
This means you can connect to a wide range of radios, including portable receivers and SDRs, without needing additional accessories. It’s a practical, all-in-one solution designed to get you on the air quickly.
Suitable for Transmit and Receive
Rated at 100 watts PEP, the Endfed 4 Band Antenna is suitable for most QRP and standard amateur radio transceivers. It provides reliable transmitting capability while also performing well on receive.
For shortwave listeners, this antenna offers an easy way to improve reception across multiple bands without the need for complicated antenna systems. It’s a great option if you’re exploring HF listening and want something effective yet straightforward.
Why We Recommend It
As with everything we stock, this antenna has been selected because it delivers where it counts. It offers:
- Dependable multi-band performance
- Simple setup with minimal tuning required
- Flexible installation options
- Compatibility with a wide range of equipment
- Strong value for both new and experienced operators
Whether you’re just getting started or looking for a reliable addition to your station, it’s a solution that balances performance with ease of use.
Pricing and Availability
- Cat # Q5014
- Price: $155.00 AUD
Available now through Tecsun Radios Australia.
Final Thoughts
The Endfed 4 Band Antenna is a practical, no-nonsense option for anyone wanting to get on the HF bands without dealing with complicated antenna systems. Its combination of multi-band coverage, flexible installation, and user-friendly design makes it a solid choice for Australian conditions.
As always, this is gear selected by someone who actually uses it—so you can be confident it’s been chosen with real-world performance in mind.
73 and happy listening.
After evaluating a wide range of compact portable receivers, we’ve finally selected a model that genuinely impressed us with its performance, usability, and value for money.
Introducing the new TRA Q3004 — a compact multi-band receiver designed for shortwave listeners, travellers, hobbyists, and everyday radio users alike.
Despite its small size and affordable price point, the Q3004 delivers excellent sensitivity and strong overall performance across MW, FM, and Shortwave bands. In fact, interest has already been extremely strong, with a good number of units requested by one of our Pacific Islands customers shortly after evaluation.
For listeners who enjoy exploring the radio spectrum, the built-in search function allows quick scanning of each band to locate active frequencies — making it an excellent companion for both casual listening and serious band scanning.
Why Shortwave Listeners Will Love It
Shortwave listening continues to be one of the most fascinating areas of radio. Whether you’re tuning international broadcasters, regional services, utility stations, or simply exploring what propagates across the bands at different times of day, a good portable receiver can provide hours of enjoyment.
The TRA Q3004 was selected specifically because it performs well where many inexpensive receivers struggle — sensitivity and usable reception.
With coverage from 3.2 to 21.85 MHz, the receiver allows listeners to explore a wide range of shortwave activity, while remaining compact enough to easily take travelling, camping, or keep beside the bed.
For travellers and remote area users, the ability to receive broadcasts across multiple bands can also be extremely useful where internet or mobile coverage may be limited.
Coverage
- MW: 522–1710 kHz
- FM: 64–108 MHz
- SW: 3.2–21.85 MHz
The receiver also features automatic band scanning to quickly locate active stations and frequencies.
Features
- 29 programmable memories for each band
- Clock, alarm, and sleep timer functions
- Keyboard lock
- Display backlight
- Mute function
- Physical power switch
- Compact portable design
Power Options
The Q3004 is designed to operate from 2 x AA batteries, making it ideal for portable operation. It can also be powered from any standard 5V USB power source, offering additional flexibility for home, travel, or emergency use.
Technical Specifications
- Screen: 128 x 64mm
- Sensitivity:
- MW: >10mV/M
- FM: >18dB
- SW: >60uV
- Single Signal Selectivity: Better than 10dB
- Speaker: 57mm diameter, 0.5 watt
Final Thoughts
We looked at many compact receivers before deciding to bring this model in, and the TRA Q3004 stood out for one simple reason — it performs far better than you would expect for its size and price.
Whether you are an experienced shortwave enthusiast, a traveller wanting reliable radio coverage, or simply someone looking for an affordable and capable portable receiver, the Q3004 is well worth a look.
click here to view https://www.tecsunradios.com.au/store/product/high-performance-mw-fw-sw-portable-receiver/
If you’re new to shortwave listening—or even if you’ve been tuning the bands for years—you may have noticed that reception quality can change dramatically depending on the time of day.
While it’s true that shortwave signals can be received both day and night, there’s a special window that experienced listeners pay close attention to. It’s called the “grayline”, and it can make a remarkable difference to what you hear.
What is Grayline?
Grayline (also known as the terminator) is the moving line that separates day from night as the Earth rotates. During this transition—around sunrise and sunset—conditions in the ionosphere become especially favourable for long-distance radio propagation.
Why Does It Matter?
Shortwave signals rely on the ionosphere to travel long distances. During daylight hours, the Sun energises a layer of the ionosphere called the D layer (around 50–90 km above Earth). This layer tends to absorb radio signals, reducing how far they can travel.
However, as the Sun sets, the D layer quickly fades away. At the same time, the higher F layer (above 140 km) remains active for longer, allowing signals to bounce across vast distances with much less interference.
The result? Stronger, clearer signals—often from places you wouldn’t normally hear.
At sunrise, the opposite occurs. The F layer becomes active first, enabling long-distance reception before the D layer builds up again and begins absorbing signals.
So, When Should You Listen?
For the best results, aim to tune in:
- 1–2 hours before sunrise
- 1–2 hours after sunset
During these periods, grayline propagation can open up exciting listening opportunities across the globe.
Choosing the Right Frequency
Timing isn’t the only factor—frequency matters too:
- Night-time (after sunset / before sunrise):
Lower frequencies (below 15 MHz) tend to perform better. - Daytime:
Higher frequencies (above 15 MHz) generally provide improved reception.
Final Thoughts
Understanding grayline propagation is one of the easiest ways to improve your shortwave listening experience. It’s also one of the most exciting—there’s nothing quite like picking up a distant station you’ve never heard before.
If you’re just getting started, experimenting with different times and frequencies can really help you learn how the bands behave.
Happy listening,
Garry
Tecsun Radios Australi