But seriously folks, the cheapest for me was busting open a junk TV for
the
deflection coils. A qrp type ham antenna tuner will certainly help.
Easy
to build L type by using an AM tuning cap and hind wound coil on toilet
paper roll. Use a piece of scrap brass for a slider. Put the whole
thing
on a block of wood and use clip leads to change it around for the best
signal.

The earphone jack can often be used for a ground point.



Huh, you triggered some memories. Best antenna I ever had was when I
was very young, probably ~8-10 years old, or so. Long-wire which ran
diagonally to property lines of my parents. And, certainly, longer than
120 ft. That antenna filled the bands, as I remember!

No baluns, no matching, no knowledge of what I consider now, krist, it
was most likely a very poor match to the input on the Collins,
Hallicrafters, Zeniths, Gonsets, etc. which it was hooked to. But, ya'
know what? Those were the best times of my life. And, to be absolutely
truthful with you, I did hope to hear aliens--as well as military,
gov't, etc. Some, I accomplished--but, no aliens which I am aware of
... :-(

But, I never have had that much fun in my whole life, since those times
... the rest of life has been rather easy.

I only hope youngsters can still find the same ... :-)

Regards,
JS

Same age-- I ran the wire into a transistor radio and would tweak the
trimmers to go above the broadcast band. Finally got a five band radio,
then upgraded to a Hallicrafters S-110. Most of my vast entertainment
center (set of shelves along my longest wall) was rescued/repaired/cobbled
from junk, and open cabinets and exposed lethal voltages were part of the
mistique. My finger was the best signal generator/voltmeter I owned. By
High School I had my Advanced and 2nd phone and was into Remote Bases, HF,
RTTY and especially liked working on stuff with multiple squelch tails.
Then came computers. I guess I never really outgrew that stuff after all.