Dear Cindy,

I do not own the Wellbrook ALA 1530 model; I own the Wellbrook ALA
330S. The difference between the two antennas is basically that the
'1530 is optimized for the lower range of frequencies on SW, the MW
band, and the LW band while the '330S is particularly good with the
upper SW frequencies. (It works fairly well on MW but is relatively
insensitive on LW.) It sounds to me as though the '1530 would be best
for you, though it would be wise to e-mail or telephone Andy Ikin,
Wellbrook's owner, for his personal advice to you, based on your
listening habits. (His telephone number is 011 44 1591 620316. Remember
the time difference.)

The quality of construction of my '330S is superb; as all Wellbrook
antennas are handmade by Mr. Ikin, the '1530 would be made to the same
high standard.

It is hard to believe that my '330S is, in fact, an active antenna; it
is the quietest antenna I have ever owned. It makes summertime
listening (the season most prone to atmospheric and other "natural"
noise) as good as wintertime, in my experience. I should expect that
the '1530 would perform similarly.

I have my unit mounted atop an inexpensive Radio Shack TV rotator in my
attic, where it works extremely well and is, of course, protected from
the elements (the antennas are designed to be mounted outside but I
must mount mine indoors due to local community requirements). Indoor
mounting works extremely well and I should note that, contrary to the
recommendations in the instruction sheet, placement is not at all
critical. (That is the ONLY contradiction I can make to the excellent
instruction sheet; follow its advice TO THE LETTER otherwise - that is
VERY important.) Note that while a rotator is not absolutely necessary
with the '330S (though it is a great help), it is with the '1530 as
that antenna is even more directional than the '330S.

I have had my Wellbrook antenna since March 2004. I am very pleased
with it. In over forty years of shortwave listening I have never owned
an antenna that performs as well.

I hope the above is of some use to you.

Best,

Joe