On Fri, 8 Jun 2007 03:26:18 -0400, "Al Dalton"
wrote:

I an not a licensed radio amateur, but I couldn't think of a better group to
ask about antennas. I like listening to shortwave broadcasts. I'd like to
build a good antenna system that will work well. The long wire antennas are
pretty much out of the question, although I have considered trying it. Space
is somewhat limited. The broomstick antenna looks like it might be my best
choice. What do you think? Can you make any suggestions. Thank you.


Al


There are several things to consider. I don't know how much you know
about antennas, but I see you have done some research, so that's a
good sign. Hopefully you will understand what I am about to say.

My father, also an avid SWL, used to use a long wire antenna. Then
one day he bought an antenna tuner kit for $10 about 15 years ago. It
really wasn't much, just a couple of small capacitors and a piece of
laminated wire he had to wrap around a pill bottle. He added his own
bypass switch and was excited to show me the difference the tuner made
to his signals.

I wasn't as surprised at the results as I was his initiative to buy
and build the tuner kit.

Anyway, he moved and we ran a wire around his attic about four trips.
The wires were spaced about 3 inches apart and just looped the attic
from corner to corner. I don't know how long it was, but it turned
out to be much better than the long wire. He hooked up his tuner and
radio and used it until he moved out. It was extremely sensitive.

My suggestion, for SWL, is to run as much wire over as large an area
as possible. If you are limited to indoors, I suggest the attic idea
if possible.

If you don't have the room, look for the largest area possible to
spread wire. If you find the best you can do is the broomstick idea,
(I assume it is a dowel wrapped with wire) then you may have to use
that. The larger the diameter, the better.

Research the antenna tuners. You don't have to worry about power
levels, so any small capacitor will do. Make one, or buy a kit and
add it to your antenna. You won't regret it.

Dad's tuner consisted of a pair of tuning capacitors out of two small
AM radio receivers with a piece of enameled wire wrapped around a
large pill bottle. The wire was tapped twice the distance of the
previous tap, for example, if the first tap was at the 4th wrap, 8
turns later, the third was 16 turns from the previous, etc.

There are several home-brew plans on the internet. I highly recommend
it if you are wanting to pull out the weak signals.

Good luck, I hope you find what you need and enjoy your listening.

buck
N4PGW

--
73 for now
Buck, N4PGW

www.lumpuckeroo.com

"Small - broadband - efficient: pick any two."