Antenna for shortwave reception
 

Folks,

I have purchased a Sangean ATS-909 World Receiver. It is equipped with
an internal ferrite antenna för MW and LW, and a telescope antenna for
SW and FM. It also comes with a portable SW antenna (ANT-60), seven
meters long. Is this external antenna generally sufficient for SW
reception, or should I get a different antenna? If yes, is there a
solution that doesn't cost all that much money? I have a copy of the
2009 World Radio TV Handbook, and they are talking about a Wellbrook
ALA-1530+ loop antenna, and let me tell you, that one is well past my
budget, because it costs $466... I am looking for something a lot
cheaper... :-) If it is recommended to replace the ANT-60, that is.

PJ

Antenna for shortwave reception
 

On Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:46:07 -0800 (PST), PJ
wrote:

Folks,

I have purchased a Sangean ATS-909 World Receiver. It is equipped with
an internal ferrite antenna för MW and LW, and a telescope antenna for
SW and FM. It also comes with a portable SW antenna (ANT-60), seven
meters long. Is this external antenna generally sufficient for SW
reception, or should I get a different antenna? If yes, is there a
solution that doesn't cost all that much money? I have a copy of the
2009 World Radio TV Handbook, and they are talking about a Wellbrook
ALA-1530+ loop antenna, and let me tell you, that one is well past my
budget, because it costs $466... I am looking for something a lot
cheaper... :-) If it is recommended to replace the ANT-60, that is.

PJ

Hi PJ,

With your location in Sweden, a long wire should pick up a lot of
stations unless you are buried deep in a valley. That long wire can
be as simple as 10 meters of wire with a clip to attach it to the whip
of the Sangean. When I was in Africa last year, that was enough to
fill my cheap SW set with signals from everywhere in Africa up into
Europe. Toss the wire out a window up into a tree. It is at least a
cheap, first attempt to see if you need anything more than that.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Antenna for shortwave reception
 

On Dec 23, 10:23*am, Richard Clark wrote:
On Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:46:07 -0800 (PST), PJ
wrote:

Folks,

I have purchased a Sangean ATS-909 World Receiver. It is equipped with
an internal ferrite antenna för MW and LW, and a telescope antenna for
SW and FM. It also comes with a portable SW antenna (ANT-60), seven
meters long. Is this external antenna generally sufficient for SW
reception, or should I get a different antenna? If yes, is there a
solution that doesn't cost all that much money? I have a copy of the
2009 World Radio TV Handbook, and they are talking about a Wellbrook
ALA-1530+ loop antenna, and let me tell you, that one is well past my
budget, because it costs $466... I am looking for something a lot
cheaper... :-) If it is recommended to replace the ANT-60, that is.

PJ

Hi PJ,

With your location in Sweden, a long wire should pick up a lot of
stations unless you are buried deep in a valley. *That long wire can
be as simple as 10 meters of wire with a clip to attach it to the whip
of the Sangean. *When I was in Africa last year, that was enough to
fill my cheap SW set with signals from everywhere in Africa up into
Europe. *Toss the wire out a window up into a tree. *It is at least a
cheap, first attempt to see if you need anything more than that.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Should be very careful when connecting the whip to the ATS-909 antenna
with a metal clip - the radio is quite sensitive and should be turned
off while "clipping". For my connection, I just wound a coil of
insulated wire that would slip over the whip - the inductance alone is
enough to bring in signals strongly, and avoids the chance of possible
static and internal damage. About 20 turns is enough to get you
started; wind more if you want a stronger signal.

Bruce

Antenna for shortwave reception
 

PJ,

I've discovered there is no best antenna for everyone for shortwave
listening. Ignore the trolls here, start off with your wire antenna,
then experiment if you wish. I've tried a few things over the past few
weeks and for me, just running a wire along the ground about 60 feet
works best for me. I guess the only certain thing is that an antenna
that runs outside will work better than an inside antenna. If you
can't run one outside, try to put it by a window or up high in your
house/apartment. Experimenting is part of the fun, just google around,
play around, and have hours of fun on your new radio. I only in the
last few weeks have rediscovered listening to SW radio.

Happy listening.

Antenna for shortwave reception
 

On Dec 23, 9:46*am, PJ wrote:
Folks,

I have purchased a Sangean ATS-909 World Receiver. It is equipped with
an internal ferrite antenna för MW and LW, and a telescope antenna for
SW and FM. It also comes with a portable SW antenna (ANT-60), seven
meters long. Is this external antenna generally sufficient for SW
reception, or should I get a different antenna? If yes, is there a
solution that doesn't cost all that much money? I have a copy of the
2009 World Radio TV Handbook, and they are talking about a Wellbrook
ALA-1530+ loop antenna, and let me tell you, that one is well past my
budget, because it costs $466... I am looking for something a lot
cheaper... :-) If it is recommended to replace the ANT-60, that is.

PJ

PJ,

So your objective is to 'buy' a relatively low cost
Antenna for Shortwave Radio Listening (SWL)
to use with your Sangean ATS-909 World Receiver.

Check-Out the / Sangean ATS-909 Users Group
-aka- RadioShack DX-398 Users Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DX398/

Consider using a "Portable Wire Antenna" with your
Sangean ATS-909 AM/FM Shortwave Radio :
http://www.geocities.com/n2uhc/portablewire.html
* WebPage presented by Tom Sevart, N2UHC
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...c73c4c94625fc7
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...89c8fd6fcb38f2

First "About" the Antenna Input of the Sangean
ATS-909 AM/FM Shortwave Radio :
The Sangean ATS-909 uses a 1/8" Stereo Jack
for the External Antenna Input.
Barrel = Circuit-Board-Ground (RF Signal Ground)
Tip = Shortwave Antenna RF Signal Input
Middle-Ring = AM/MW Antenna RF Signal Input

READY-MADE - Shortwave Listener (SWL) Antenna
that fits into the 45 Foot Long Range is the Par
Electronics EF-SWL Antenna. [~$75US]
It come with the Matching Transformer and 45 Feet
of Flex-Weave Wire Antenna Element; and all you
need to do is Install your Ground Rod; Rig the Wire
Antenna Element; and Attach your Coax Cable.
http://www.parelectronics.com/swl_end.htm
http://www.grove-ent.com/ANT8.html
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/2205.html

The Par EF-SWL is a moderate size Inverted "L"
Antenna with 'low noise' characteristics : The PAR
is the simplest Antenna for most of these 'portable'
AM/FM Shortwave Radios and lends itself to the
Inverted "L" Antenna configuration of about 45 Feet
long with a 15 Foot Vertical-Up-Leg and a 30 Foot
Horizontal-Out-Arm. With an Eight Ground Rod
at the base and a Coax Cable feed-in-line.

NOTE - Your biggest problem with using a Coax
Cable with your Shortwave Antenna is coming up
with an "Adapter" or Jumper Cable from the Coax
Connector to the Radio's 1/8" Stereo Jack.

Here is another 'low cost' SWL Antenna listed on eBay
"Super Longwire All Band SW. Antenna and 9:1 Balun"
http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ180315835723
* Has 80 Feet of Antenna Wire with a 9:1 Matching
Transformer; plus 50 Feet of Coax Cable.
* Rig as much of the 80 Feet of Antenna Wire in the
Inverted "L" Configuration
* Add an 8-foot Ground Rod
* Run the Coax Cable to you Radio

hope this helps - iane ~ RHF

Antenna for shortwave reception
 

ALA-1530+ loop antenna, and let me tell you, that one is well past my
budget, because it costs $466... I am looking for something a lot
cheaper... :-) If it is recommended to replace the ANT-60, that is.

This is my favorite:
http://www.antenna.it/military/log-periodic.htm

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.

Antenna for shortwave reception
 

JB wrote:
ALA-1530+ loop antenna, and let me tell you, that one is well past my
budget, because it costs $466... I am looking for something a lot
cheaper... :-) If it is recommended to replace the ANT-60, that is.

This is my favorite:
http://www.antenna.it/military/log-periodic.htm

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

Antenna for shortwave reception
 

On Dec 24, 8:54*pm, John Smith wrote:
JB wrote:
ALA-1530+ loop antenna, and let me tell you, that one is well past my
budget, because it costs $466... I am looking for something a lot
cheaper... :-) If it is recommended to replace the ANT-60, that is.

This is my favorite:
http://www.antenna.it/military/log-periodic.htm

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- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

When I was in my teensI had access to a 5 mile beverage antenna in the
form of abandoned telegraph lines. I used to plug in the AM radio in
my car to it and listen for AM BCB dx. I could terminate either end
and hook up to the opposite end. In the day it was also a great way to
park with my date. Yes those were great times.

Jimmie

Antenna for shortwave reception
 

JIMMIE wrote:

...
When I was in my teensI had access to a 5 mile beverage antenna in the
form of abandoned telegraph lines. I used to plug in the AM radio in
my car to it and listen for AM BCB dx. I could terminate either end
and hook up to the opposite end. In the day it was also a great way to
park with my date. Yes those were great times.

Jimmie

Amen brother, I pity those who have never felt the thrill, the mystery,
the wonder, the indescribable feeling--while very slowly turning that
dial ... and finding "that" signal!

Warmest regards,
JS

Antenna for shortwave reception
 

Folks,

This is the OP speaking. Thanks for all the various tips and tricks! I
don't care much for the unpleasant tone between some posters in the
rec.radio.shortwave group, but there are still a few glimpses of good
information that I can use.

I was a very keen DX:er in the seventies, and I used a Swedish vacuum
tube radio from 1952, named Nornan LV 1220, with a continous SW band
from 15 meters to 120 meters. I still have it, and it still works, but
I thought that I'd go a little more modern with the ATS-909... :-)
Although I think that the LV 1220 is just as good when it comes to SW
reception.

I remember that my dream, in the seventies, was to hear the AFAN
(American Forces Antarctic Network) SW transmissions here in Sweden.
They then used a 1 kW transmitter, and I had heard that someone in the
south of Sweden had been able to hear them at some point. Alas, I
never did. I am pretty sure that I picked up the carrier wave, but I
couldn't hear anything... Bummer... In the 2009 WRTH the AFAN are only
listed as an FM station, so I guess that those days are over...

PJ