Hello,

Not an antenna expert, so thought I'd ask here.
I've gotten some great info. from you folks in the past, which I really
appreciate.

Will be buying a portable sw receiver for a gift.

Many of them seem to come with a built in telescopic antenna.
I guess the intent is to use fully extended, and vertically, although
horiz. use also seems to be doable from the pictures, but would sure be
awkward in a horiz. position I would think.

How "good" can one receive 30 MHz (and the normal fm broadcast bands)
using one of these antenna vertically ?

Aren't most sw signals horiz. polarized, or, by the time they actually
make it here, the polarization has become pretty much randomized ?

Will try with a "lon'wire" of course, but thought I'd ask re how good
the built in antennas, vert. oriented, are as a general question.

BTW: anyone have any strong opinions on a good $ 250 max table top
(preferred)or portable sw receiver for a very non-technical person ?
Would want it to have memories. SSB not necessary.

Thanks,
Bob