Richard:

Perhaps I led you astray with that comment regarding different plugs. I
should have said that both radios have external antenna plugs, but they
require different types of plugs. The Grundig takes a 1/8 inch mono plug
such as the type usually used for mono earphones. The Sangean takes a
different plug from what I understand, so I decided to compromise and use
the clip and attach the external antenna via the alligator clip rather than
try to switch plugs each time I want to switch radios. By the way, both
radios use the whip and/or the external antenna for SW. If I don't have
access to an external antenna, both radios require the full extension of the
whip for SW.

Richard, in reading all I can about the subject of using alligator clips or
plugs for the external antenna, I got the impression that the clip would
yield a good connection if you couldn't use the plug. I think what you are
telling me is that isn't the case. Of course, it stands to reasons that if
the radios have a provision for plugging in an external antenna, that would
be the ideal connection.

Thanks for commenting, Richard; this is a great forum to learn from others.


Harlan





"Richard Clark" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 3 Jan 2004 23:45:31 -0600, "H Davis" hdavis@(no
spam)ntsource.com wrote:

Hi Harlan,

This seems to be a significant clue:
since the radios do not accept the same plug.

You are on the right path. However, as to the "clue" above. I am not
familiar with the specific models, but I have every suspicion that the
whip antenna is for FM only, and AM/SW is achieved through either a
ferrite bar antenna inside, or an external connection, or both. Your
windings are not really coupling into the whip but rather this
internal antenna, and they are still too far apart. However, barring
a more detailed description, this is just a guess.

Do your receivers have any kind of jack that is not audio or power?
Chances are that is an external antenna connection, especially if
there is a switch nearby. If so, that is the proper way in with your
wire antenna and it will make a significant difference. I say this
because it sounds like the noise is from your having the gain set all
the way up, and what would be strong signals are competing with weak
noise. The reason why the strong signals are not booming in, is you
haven't made a good connection. The other possible answer is that you
are in fact deep in a very noisy environment and your antenna is doing
the best it can.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC