(RHF) wrote in message . com...
FO&A,

Here is my Question: Is there any sense in putting a Ferrite Rod
at the Far-End of a Random Wire Antenna with the Wire from the
End of the Wire Antenna Element 'wrapped' around it in a
"Tuned Coil" to improve the AM/MW Band Reception ?

* Any 'theory' behind why this Idea might Work ?

* Does this Idea actually Work ?

* Or is this Idea just so much Antenna 'hype' and Sales Marketing

I am Asking these Questions is because of what I have read about
the RF Systems "EMF" Electro-Magnetic-Field Passive Wire Antenna
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/0743.html

In "John Wagner's Shortwave Tips & Tricks" he writes:
http://www.dxing.com/tips.htm
"The EMF antenna has two 35mm film canister looking objects
connected to it. The canister on the Far-End is actually an
excellent "Tuned Ferrite Rod" designed for MW (Medium Wave)
and really helps any receiver without a built in MW Antenna
Rod. Canister two (in middle) is a Balun that helps SW
reception very much."


i want to know ~ RHF
.
.

Back in 1965, when I was 14, I tried many variations on
"Long Wire" antennas. Given my parents back yard was about 60'
wide and 120'long, it is clear that they weren't really "long" at
any freqeuncy below 30MHz.
My uncle gave me some variable caps, Air-dux and two large,3/4"X16"
ferrite rods. I tried wrapping wire around the ferrite and, except
for short, 10' wire antennas, with the rod between the antenna and the
receiver the rod made no differnce. None. And nothing worked as well
as my "standard" 96' wire antenna. I did make some dipoles cut for WWV
on 10 and 15MHZ and they were slightly better in receiving WWVH then
the 96' wire antenna. They made no difference on WWV.
I was able to build a match box with Air-dux and the caps and that
really
helped. The radio was a Zenith SW that died that fall. The LO coil
developed a short between the primary and secondary and Dad could not
find a replacement part. So, for a late birthday present my mom and
dad
bought me a Heathkit GR64. It was a gaint step in that it had a
"S-meter".
I even tried a antenna reciever matching transformer suggested by an
article in Radio-Electronics. Which did not work. It consisted of two
air coupled windings sheilded in a soup can. I wish I had known about
transformer deisign that John Doty came up with. Dad also bought me a
ARRL handbook and I started to understand that antennas where not
complete magic.
Just 99%!
Save your maoney and just put up the longest wire you can, be carefull
to
keep it well away from noise sources. John Doty's suggestions for a
"low
noise" antenna are a good palce to start. Works very well and it is
very cheap.
Terry