"clyde" wrote in message
...

Has anyone used a slinkey antenna? I bought one and hooked it to a tree
in my yard about 30 ft up. I have a Grundig Yacht Boy 400 and I clipped
it to the telescopic antenna. I dont see much improvement. Live in the
Wa. state, is recption real bad here or should I update and get a newer
radio? this one I bought new in 91.

Thanks,

Clyde

A random length wire should work just fine for SWLing. If the receiver
noise increases when you hook up the antenna, then you aren't doing too
badly.
--Wayne

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for the reply. Last night I could get nothing and tryed this morning an picked up a couple of stations. So I must be doing something right, I am going to get batteries for my radio and see if I get less static. Read somewhere that electic hookup can give you static.

have a good day,

Clyde

On Dec 2, 9:52*am, "Wayne" wrote:
*If the receiver
noise increases when you hook up the antenna, then you aren't doing too
badly.
--Wayne

In a case like that, he's doing about as well as one can do, not
counting changes in pattern. For SWL, a slinky is ok. Not so hot
for transmitting though, being the antenna is almost all loading coil
with no capacitance added at the ends. Kind of like running back
to back ham sticks with no stingers on the ends. :/
It'll work, but there are better designs for short loaded dipoles.

wrote in message
...
On Dec 2, 9:52 am, "Wayne" wrote:
If the receiver
noise increases when you hook up the antenna, then you aren't doing too
badly.
--Wayne

In a case like that, he's doing about as well as one can do, not
counting changes in pattern. For SWL, a slinky is ok. Not so hot
for transmitting though, being the antenna is almost all loading coil
with no capacitance added at the ends. Kind of like running back
to back ham sticks with no stingers on the ends. :/
It'll work, but there are better designs for short loaded dipoles.


Speaking of compromise antennas that work - at least somewhat - there is one
that MFJ has been selling for quite a while. Unfortunately, the model number
does not spring to mind, but it is for indoor use and consists of a remote
control box (remote from the "antenna") an over twenty foot run of coax and
a mobile looking telescopic element antenna on a mount of some kind (I
forget which type). It does work pretty well. A friend of mine owned one and
he lived in an apartment complex with a no external antenna rule. He did a
very good job of working out past the Mississippi on 40 meters with just 100
watts. He lived in New Jersey.

Ed, NM2K (yes NM5K it is me again. I got my old callsign back)

This is a metal slinky, not the plastic ones?
- 'Doc

HI DOC,

YES IT IS METAL. I BOUGHT IT OFF EBAY. THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY.

CLYDE