My 15 year old son is exploring shortwave radio, and has purchased a
Realistic DX-394a. We're experimenting with various antenna
configurations, now trying an inverted L. The layout so far can be
seen at:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/antenna2.jpg

So, a single strand wire crosses the yard at a height of about 14-18
feet, stretched east-west, insulated at each end, and another length
of wire connected to it drops to below a window, then passes through
the wall and to the Hi-Z antenna input. (The diagram shows a
lightning arrestor, but that isn't attached yet.)

But it seems to offer little or no advantage over the little
telescoping antenna. In fact, the best reception is when we touch the
antenna lead wire to the telescoping antenna. Do you suggest:

1) an antenna tuner?

2) coaxial cable running from the radio (Lo-Z input) to the end of the
75 foot run?

3) a north-south run?

4) a completely different configuration?

5) anything else?

Rees Chapman
winwinsit at gmail period com