wrote:
Well, I went from 10 wraps, to about 40 wraps (of the same 22 gauge
insulated wire), directly around the antenna. I extended the bottom
(thick) part of the antenna, just enough to fit the wraps (-the wraps
are NOT spaced out). I then attached antenna and ground wires of the
loop to the ends of the wire wrapped around the antenna.

Well, off of the rod by itself, I can hear CHU Canada, but it's below 1
on the S-Meter. Using the inductive connection (40 wraps), it gives a
signal of 4 -- but it's VERY noisy.
(I tried reversing the antenna/ground to no avail).

With the antenna clip directly to the top (thin part) of the rod
antenna (rest of rod not extended), I get signal of 6 but very noisy.
When I connect the ground clip to the battery, it get's MUCH quieter
(than without ground, or with inductive connection) and it stays at a
signal of 6. Direct connection of the antenna to a radio with an
antenna jack is still much better!
(I did a test with the clips to that radio - in order to make sure it's
an antenna connection issue).

So, as of now, the inductive connection isn't helping. Suggestions or
recommendations?

I emailed Universal about the AA-1, to ask if it's ok to use with
active antennas (it's also $60...which is a bit much, considering).

Thanks

RHF wrote:
wrote:
Thanks.

I was asking if the tubing made a difference, so that I could TEST
using insulated wire directly on the antenna... and then get some
tubing once I see that the wrapping works and how many wraps are
needed.

1 - If you Wrap the Insulated Wire Directly on-to the
Whip Antenna : Then you have a Fixed {Permenant}
Installation on the one Radio.

DANR - Yes - The Tubing will make a difference.

Since the Insulated Wire will be closer to the Metal
of the Whip Antenna and therefore coupling to it more
effectively. You will find that few turns are required
with the Direct-Wrap. More Turns when the Tubing is
used 'in-between' the Wire and the Whip Antenna.

TIP # 1 - Instead of Tubing for your first attempt. Try a
few wraps of Paper taped around the Whip Antenna as
a Thin Core to make the Coupling Coil more easier to
Put-On or Take-Off as needed.

TIP # 2 - With the Tubing the Coil Assembly can be
positioned {move} In-and-Out on the Whip Antenna
so that the Coupling Effect between the Whip and
Coil can be varried {adjusted} for the best reception.

hope this helps - iane ~ RHF
.
.
. .

DANR,

Seems like you have tried all the various combinations
and described your results fairly well.

Remember - Not everything words for everyboby.

Choose the one that works for you the best and stick with it.
- - - Until you try something better )

If increased 'noise' coming from the simple straight wire
Antenna is an issue. Then try a Horizontal [Flat] Loop
Antenna with either TV Twin Lead or Coax Cable as a
feed-in-line from the Antenna to the Radio.

READ - The Shortwave Listener's (SWL) "Random"
Horizontal [Flat] Loop Antenna
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...73213a11be0b83


READ - The In-the-Attic Horizontal [Flat] Loop Antenna
- - - Just may be the better choice to fill that . . .
empty space overhead {not in your head }.
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...f4e10e7df8249c

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...78920c10cb5cc9


Note - A simple Loop Antenna {Square / Triangle / Round}
with a 10 - 15 Foot Side or Diameter is really about a
40'-60' / 30'-45' / 31'-47' long piece of Wire; and that
is enough Wire-in-the-Air for most 'portable' AM/FM
Shortwave Radios.

something to think about - iane ~ RHF