On the other hand, a properly designed, matched and installed Beverage antenna of at least one full wavelength should not require much, if any, preamplification. Many of today's transceivers (the ICOM 756 PRO II for example) include one or two stages of preamplification which can be used effectively through the receive-only antenna port under most conditions. However, under certain conditions of extremely weak signals, additional gain may be desireable. It is for this purpose that the information below is presented, though any of the preamps shown can be used effectively with any receive-only antenna on 160/80 meters.
Just as much controversy rages over where to locate the preamplifier.
While a remotely-located unit offers the benefit of placement right at
the antenna, thus minimizing losses and noise pickup through the coax cable
feed, in effect at 160 and 80 meters (the two bands where low-noise receive
antennas offer signifcant benefit) such noise concerns are most likely
unjustified. Placement of the preamp in the station offers the benefit
of being able to switch the unit in and out as required as well as control
the amount of gain (if a variable-gain unit is employed).