On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 21:34:55 -0400, Tony Meloche
wrote:



Dave wrote:

Hello All:
I have an Icom R71A, that I am using with a 300' (plus or minus
10-20'). I have the antenna coming straight into the house, hooked to
a tentec antenna tuner and then to the receiver. Both the receiver and
the tuner are grounded. I would like to get some ideas on how to
reduce some of the static and to boost the signal on some of the
weaker stations. All suggestions would be gratefull.
Dave


Corrections welcmed from anyone, but here is what has always been my
understanding, Dave:

SW is amplitude modulation. Noise (and it will be most noticeable with
a longwire) is inherent. Anything that will amplify the signals more,
will equally amplify the noise you are getting with those signals. Net
improvement - nothing.
That said, many posters here like "tunable loop" antennas, very good for
cancelling out noise coming from *other directions* than the one you are
zeroed into with the loop. Look for good links - you can make your own
fairly easily. Others will have links at their fingertips, but a Google
search for "AM loop antenna" is a good start. The trade-off again: The
most distant and faint signals you can receive with your longwire will
probably disappear with the loop - but the signals you still receive
will likely be much quieter. Also, you have to turn the loop for
maximum effectiveness on different signals.

Bottom line: Maximum signal gathering ability, including "barely
theres", and the noise be damned? Stick with the longwire.

(Probably) less signals overall, but quieter reception? Try a loop.
Hope this helped.

I use a longwire, myself.

Tony
Good advice. Not mentioned are type of feedline, grounding, matching
transformer. I've found that a good ground, coax feedline (using 75
ohm RG-6 as it's cheaper than RG-8 variants and easier to work with)
and an ICE-182A (DC isolated transformer) provides some relief from
household appliances & the neighbors dimmers (a device that is
outlawed in my home as are flourescent lights - real noise
generators). Not much you can do to boost the signal only, just do
what you can to reduce the noise floor. That may mean ferrite chokes
on power cords for computers & televisions, vcr's etc and perhaps
giving up on the motion sensitive outdoor lights. Also, running the
antenna perpendicular to power lines can provide some relief - if that
is possible given your property.

Howard - an inverted L and an Alpha Delta Sloper and proud holder of
WAN (Worked All Noise) Certificate