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Bob · November 12th 06, 01:18 AM posted to rec.radio.shortwave

wrote:
What type receiver are you using?
I have an Icom R75 and an Eton E1 and E5. Going to use the E5 for
"sniffing". I had a Drake R8 I used years ago when I was recovering
from hip replacement surgery, but I sold that one time when time & $
were scarce. If I get the noise under control, I may try to scheme up
a way to get an R8B, but don't know for sure. I liked the R8 a lot
except for carousel controls, crappy feet (broke one the first week I
had it, but epoxy repair lasted as long as I had it) and underwhelming
sync derector. Hence the R8B interest. So many toys, so little time
and $!

What type antenna(s)....
Am just starting on that. Have an indoor loop that is useless with
noise, so I'm not doing a lot of listening, just learning. We recently
moved into a "condo type" single level home with a homeowners
association and antenna restrictions. We are still unpacking the
basement and I have yet to find my soldering iron and some other stuff.
Just getting shelves set up so boxes can be unpacked. I figure active
antennas are the only real option, and again that's why I have to get
the noise out.

I have looked at RF Systems, LF Engineering, DX Engineering, Wellbrook,
Dressler....

I've narrowed it down some. Ordered a PA0RDT miniwhip, cause I can
hide it anywhere and if I choke the heck out of it maybe it will work
some. Will order ferrite toroids and LMR-100 (better shielded RG 174)
maybe this week. I've looked real hard at the AMRAD and at Dallas
Lankford's latest writings, but I'm no builder. yet, anyway :-). I
found a guy that builds the AMRAD unit. He has improved the design a
bit like clamping the heat sink to the Crystalonics unit. We have to
talk more, but I think I'll have him make me something. I've asked him
about Dallas' designs, but he has been travelling and it will be a week
or so to get it talked out I guess.

What is your special interest...

AM, tropical bands, and general shortwave.

It is hard to overestimate how much a good ground can improve every
situation.

I will hire someone to put a couple of 8 ft. ground rods near our deck,
and another one near our service entrance. The service panel is on one
side of the basement, and it connects to the incoming water line which
of course is at the opposite side of the basement. I thought I'd have
two rods at the deck connected by copper line similar to what Will did
and carry it (copper line) around the side to the ground rod near the
service entrance and a #2 or maybe 00 into the basement bonded to the
ground wire at the panel. That should improve the service ground too.
If we just do a slit like cable company does, I should get no heat from
the association, but the line probably won't be but a few inches deep.
I'm doing some work for the association, so hopefully have some good
will...

I am not a big fan of loops, but I have found
that active,
broadband dipoles, in the right places can reduce the need of a good
ground
nearly completly.

Noted.

And while I don't care much for loops, many first
class
DXers swear by them. Good, well balanced loops don't require much in
the
way of a ground.

I think active verticals or dipoles are more acceptable (mounted on or
near deck railing) than a loop visually. I doubt I could finese a loop
past the association. In a pinch, the AMRADs could mount 45 deg on
railing and be small flag poles.

This has gotten long, but thanks so much for your time.
Bob