Joe Analssandrini wrote:

Hello.

It appears that you are going to buy a Wellbrook ALA 330S Active Loop
Antenna (there is no such model as ALA 300). Note that while this
antenna will afford you superb reception (I recommend that you read Jay
Allen's review at this URL:
http://www.radiointel.com/review-wellbrook.htm), just buying it is not
all you will have to do. There are other items you must purchase
locally AND the antenna MUST be properly mounted and installed. (A
fence-post or deck railing is a good location. An attic is an even
better one. Even though the instructions mention the optimum outdoor
mounting location, it is definitely not critical. I prefer
attic-mounting as the antenna performs in a superlative fashion in that
location and it (and its associated equipment) - no small invenstment!
- is protected from the weather).

If you are indeed serious, please read the following carefully.

You will need to buy a suitable length of RG-58C/U (in the United
States often labeled RG-58U - this is the same thing) coaxial cable (no
other kind will do!) and two (2) BNC connectors. This can be purchased
at your local Radio Shack.

Should you wish to take advantage of the antenna's directional
capabilities (recommended), you will need to purchase a Radio Shack
antenna rotator (about $75.00) and the special cable for that rotator
(about $15.00). You will also need a suitable length of PVC
(preferably) pipe which attaches the antenna to the rotator (about
$2.00 at your local hardware store).

All of this MUST be hooked up in STRICT accordance with the
instructions packed with the antenna.

IF --- you follow the instructions EXACTLY, the installation process is
quite easy and shouldn't take more than an hour or two.

IF --- you feel that you are incapable of doing the installation
yourself, I strongly recommend that you hire a competent electrician to
install the antenna for you. MAKE SURE that he READS the instructions
CAREFULLY before attempting the installation. (Installation charge will
probably be between $200-$300.)

You will want to contact THE SHORTWAVE SHOP in the UK if you wish to
make the purchase with a credit card. You can buy directly from Andy
Ikin at the factory, but he accepts checks only. (Also THE SHORTWAVE
SHOP sometimes charges less.) I believe the current price in dollars,
including shipping, is around $350.00.

Note too that there may be a delay in shipment; Andy has been quite
backed-up of late due to an overwhelming number of orders (the "word"
has gotten around about this antenna!), though I think he is catching
up to some extent.

IF --- you are willing to go to the lengths necessary to acquire this
antenna, you will be rewarded with probably the finest antenna ever
designed for the shortwave listener. (The purchase "hurdles" are
deliberate: Wellbrook is a "one-man" operation and Andy can make only
so-many antennas!)

You want to hear very weak signals? This is your antenna!

I own one. In all my forty-plus years of shortwave listening, I
personally have never experienced ANY antenna even nearly as good as
the Wellbrook ALA 330S.

You've never strung up any really long wires?

dxAce
Michigan
USA

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/dxpage.htm