On 1/2/12 09:47 , ko57 wrote:
d. Peter, thanks for the input. I am web searching info on the
older satellits also.

arthr-I'd read years ago about Grundig from Germany, but did not
remember Portugal also.

Charly, I did head over to that blog, he's got a nice blog
there. I do go to eham's site, check their reviews, etc.

Thanks again, will post when I get something. My Kaito 1103 is a
pretty good unit, I want to get something with a bit more control
without spending a small fortune. I -sometimes- use the
accessory "long wire" antenna that comes with it, and at times I
use the loc/dist switch to cut back on overload. Allot of the
time-probably at night-the antenna isn't needed.

I don't use an outside antenna-I still have a pole I could use
from my old tv antenna (no longer have) but am open to trying
that eventually if needed. I have trees around my house-30, 40+
feet high, part of my roof is metal-so will see how things go
when I take the plunge...

Thanks again...




Most any external antenna will be an improvement. But depending
on your radio, you may be subject to overload artifacts with too
much antenna. Too much is far worse than too little, in fact.

20 ft of wire may be more than enough for some portables. So,
you'll want to cut and try in order to get the right
length/orientation/elevation for your receiver and your location.

Then, again, a sloper, or variation, may be just what you're
looking for.

And, then, there's getting the signal from the antenna to the
receiver, ie, the transmission line. Matching the antenna to the
transmission line is quite an art form, depending on your intended
bandwidth choices, and the input impedance of your receiver.

Not to create an intimidating number of choices, here, but the
more problems you solve, the more you're able to find to improve
performance.

The good news is that you have many resources available to you.
ARRL manuals, like the Antenna book are invaluable. The Radio
Handbook, The Radio Amateurs Handbook, are also novice to advanced
resources. And then, there are the members of this newsgroup. DXAce
has considerable experience with wire antennae, and matching
transmission lines to them. Kevin has experience modelling antenna
types for your conditions. Brenda Ann has experience with all manner
of receivers/transmitters and antennae. And then there are the
number of experimenters with the experience to guide you into new
territory, with limited budgets in mind.

And experimenting is more than half the fun of the hobby.

p



But, that's half the fun of the hobby.