Hey Doc,

Thanks for the input. I overslept for the 1300 UTC broadcast of VOK, but
did pick up the 1500 broadcast. Unfortunately the RF amp offers nothing
over the whip that comes with (and already attached to) my Sony 7600GR
portable. More work to be done. Need to tease out the secrets of impedance
matching, as well as add a boatload of additonal amplification. Damn it's
hard to compete with a successful commercial product. Still, I have at
least reached the level of performance with the RF amp that the preamp in my
7600GR already offered, with the exception of a little additional background
noise.

Hope I didn't discourage Cecil from trying to help. Sorry if I did. I
don't mean to be ignorant, and it is something I am trying to change.

73 and good DX

Dave

wrote in message
ups.com...
Dave,
In a nut-shell, a larger antenna will tend to be more 'receptive'
at lower frequencies. Then you can think about matching the
impedances of the antenna system and receiver.
Larger antennas have the 'problem' of being 'larger', as in where
do you put the thing? Reducing the size of an antenna can be more
practical mechanically, but tends to be less practical electrically
(noise, less 'receptive', etc, etc.). Your 'best' bet would be to
find a reasonable compromise between the two kinds of 'practical'
thingys (mechanical/electrical). Usually easier if you can make it
bigger, sort of.
- 'Doc

(all puns intended, even the ones I didn't intend)