On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:42:08 -0400, merlin-7 wrote:
"Tam/WB2TT" wrote:
wrote:

I have just gotten my radio license and someone gave me an old
hammarlund receiver that hadn't been used in over 25 years. I used a
variac to bring up the power slowly, because I was told that the
capacitors needed to be reconditioned. Everything seemed to work fine
and I was able to pull in some transmissions with a random wire
antenna. I don't have a transmitter yet, so I am hoping to just use a
longer random wire antenna, laid along the attic until I can get money
together etc. My question is probably dumb, but I was wondering if
there is an "optimal length" for a random wire antenna for hf?

At one time, at least, the ARRL Handbook recommended something like 95
feet. Way too long is better than way too short. For instance, my 75
meter dipole receives OK on 20 meters. The 20 meter antenna is
useless on 75.

It is always better to be to long than to short...

Yep. That's what _my_ spam claims, too. HI!HI!