Thanks Joe. Can you give me any idea of how it is constructed ? The US West
Coast does not enjoy as good reception as other areas of the world s, so
it is a bit of a challenge. Thanks again.


"Joe Analssandrini" wrote in message
oups.com...
Dear ShortwaveMan,

I don't know what your apartment is like or what you are prepared to
do, but I had a similar problem. As a matter of fact, last year I was
quite desperate. I live in a small townhouse and the community is a
source of EXTREME local electrical noise, what with Christmas lights,
computers, often-defective LP Sodium and Mercury Arc-vapor street
lights, and high-tension lines not a quarter mile away. You can imagine
what all of the above did to my SW listening. I won't go into the
various "fixes" I tried over the years (they have been "posted" on this
site and elsewhere), but I FINALLY found the one! It is the Wellbrook
ALA 330S Active Loop Antenna.

You can investigate it he

http://www.wellbrook.uk.com/

Note it is quite expensive (probably around $400 now, due to the poor
dollar-to-pound ratio), somewhat convoluted to buy (I bought mine from
THE SHORTWAVE SHOP in the UK, the only dealer which sells it. They
accept credit cards. You can buy from the factory, but only with a
check), and it's BIG - the loop is about 3-feet in diameter. I have
mine mounted in my attic, but mounting is not critical. It COULD be
mounted in your room (near a window) if your significant other is
broad-minded, outside mounted on a deck, if you have one, or some other
"creative" place,

This antenna is positively FANTASTIC. It dramatically lowers both
atmospheric AND local electrical noise. In other words, it greatly
increases the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal you are trying to
hear.

An example: I live on the East Coast of the US, yet I have been able to
regularly hear Radio Australia's 2200 - 2400 UTC broadcast on 21740
kHz. The signal comes in at only S4 - S7, but is perfectly clear and
fully listenable.

At the very least, look it up on the web. I completely sympathize with
your problem and I hope you are able to come up with a satisfactory
solution.

Best,

Joe