Tecsun AN100 MW Antenna Review

Tecsun AN-100 loop antenna, based on expert testing

What Is the Tecsun AN-100?
• It’s a tunable passive loop antenna meant specifically for the AM (medium-wave) broadcast band. 
• Frequency coverage: approximately 500–1,730 kHz per Tecsun. 
• Physical size: loop diameter ~ 230 mm (23 cm); weight ~ 326 g. 
• It does not require power or batteries. 
• Comes with a 3.5 mm cable to connect to radios that have an external AM antenna input. 

Performance & Strengths
1. Improved Reception / Sensitivity
• According to a technical review by Gary Ryan (VK2ZKT), the AN-100 can significantly improve signal-to-noise ratio, especially for weak AM signals. 
• Its resonance / tuning knob lets you “peak” a signal, which helps pull in weak or distant stations. 
2. Directional / Noise Reduction
• Because it’s a loop, it’s inherently directional: you can null out unwanted signals (interference) by rotating the loop. 
• This directionality plus the resonant tuning gives a kind of pre-selection, which can help reduce interference from adjacent frequencies. 
• In night testing, reviewers noted the ability to both “peak and null” effectively. 
3. Build Quality & Design
• Very good build quality: described as “first-grade finish” and “self-supporting.” 
• Aesthetically pleasing: the loop is quite elegant, making it suitable for placing on a tabletop in a living room or similar. 
• Simple to operate: just one tuning knob, no complex setup. 
4. Practical for Indoor Use
• Particularly helpful in environments with EMI (electromagnetic interference) or indoor noise sources. Tecsun advertises it for improving reception “in places where EMI noise … exist.” 
• No need for outdoor setup, though placement matters a lot (more on this below).

Limitations & Considerations
• AM / MW Only: This loop is only for medium-wave (AM). It’s not designed for shortwave or other bands. 
• Orientation Matters: To get the best performance, you have to experiment with placement & orientation:
• Place radio + loop close together (recommended within ~30 mm). 
• The loop should often be at 90° to the ferrite rod (if your radio has one) for optimal coupling. 
• For best results, first tune your radio, then adjust the loop’s tuning knob. 
• Interference from Household Devices: Users/reviewers note that nearby devices (like TVs, dimmers, switch-mode power supplies) can degrade performance. 
• Building Materials: The effectiveness can be limited if your walls or ceilings have foil-backed insulation or other RF-blocking materials. 
• No Gain Boost Like Active Loops: Since it’s passive, it won’t amplify signals in the way active (powered) loops can — it’s more about refining and focusing, not boosting by many dB.

Practical Tips for Best Use

Based on user and expert advice:
• Try to place the loop and radio outdoors (e.g., on a veranda) if possible — less noise = better gain. 
• If indoors:
• Avoid placing near dimmer switches or energy-saving lamps. 
• Keep the loop as far as possible from noisy electronics (TVs, power supplies). 
• Keep mobile phones (and other RF devices) away from the loop. 
• Rotate both the radio and the loop together to find the best “aim” for peak signal. 
• After tuning the radio to your station, then tweak the loop’s knob to maximize clarity and reduce noise. 


Real-World/User Feedback
• Radio Jay Allen (a noted radio reviewer) praises the AN-100 as a very effective and affordable loop. He says: “weak signals will sometimes literally jump out of the mud.” 
• On community forums (like Reddit), users comparing the AN-100 / AN-200 loops often note a clear improvement in AM signal quality. For instance:
“It does improve AM reception quite well … either spatially or directly connected.” 
• There is some technical experimentation: for example, on a loop-antennas forum, someone tried to resonate the AN-100 on long wave by adding inductance/capacitance — with mixed results. 

Overall Verdict

Pros:
• Very good value for a passive MW loop.
• Elegant design + solid build.
• Substantial improvement in AM reception, especially in noisy environments.
• Directionality helps null unwanted stations or interference.

Cons:
• Limited to AM broadcast band.
• Requires some effort in placement and tuning to get the best results.
• Not a “magic amplifier” — gains are more about clarity than huge signal amplification.

Bottom Line:
If you listen to AM radio (especially weaker or distant stations) and want an affordable way to meaningfully boost reception without powering anything, the Tecsun AN-100 is a highly recommended choice. For users dealing with noisy environments, it’s particularly useful. But if you need something for shortwave, or want big signal gains, you may need a different or more powerful antenna.