In a magnetic resonance scanner, a radio frequency transmit coil (30, 30') includes a plurality of parallel rods rungs (32, 32', 32'') at least partially surrounding an examination region. The radio frequency transmit coil is configured to transmit radio frequency energy into the examination region at or near a magnetic resonance frequency. A plurality of magnetic resonance receive coils (40) are disposed with the radio frequency transmit coil. For decoupling, each magnetic resonance receive coil is positioned substantially centered on a proximate one rod or rung or proximate plurality of neighboring rods or rungs of the radio frequency transmit coil.