Try clipping the pull-out antenna to a ground rod.
For some reason, that seems to work better than a long slingshot.
I tried Slingshot -kiddie antennas once and found a ground wire works better
for portables.
;-)

Hal:

You embarrass me... I am a "slingshot kiddies" (kinda of did get tied up shooting a few rocks with the slingshot too--can't deny it--still a boy deep inside)... frown

.... but hey, at least I am past the denial part! grin

That sounds weird, grounding the antenna, but hey, I am ready to be made a fool of in the pursuit of knowledge--it that's what it takes... I'll give it a shot! If it isn't all a "joke", perhaps the length of the ground wire can be manipulated to benefit... heck, I'll even slingshot a longwire over the tallest tree I can find and ground the other end!

Warmest regards,
John
"Hal Rosser" wrote in message .. .
Try clipping the pull-out antenna to a ground rod.
For some reason, that seems to work better than a long slingshot.
I tried Slingshot -kiddie antennas once and found a ground wire works better
for portables.
;-)

.... and will really try your suggestion...

.... but, I was looking for something I could also "McGuiver"(sp?) to work on the next cruise ship... longwires are great for camping... hard to find trees on those ships...

.... kinda afraid what the captain will say when he sees me on deck--slingshot in hand looking around at the booms and masts... dropping something down the porthole might work... and I do suppose sal****er is some sort of ground... grin

Warmest regards,
John
"Hal Rosser" wrote in message .. .
Try clipping the pull-out antenna to a ground rod.
For some reason, that seems to work better than a long slingshot.
I tried Slingshot -kiddie antennas once and found a ground wire works better
for portables.
;-)

JS,

As a follow up, found some excellent research on some balun testing for
just the use I mentioned, really good stuff:
http://www.dxing.info/equipment/impe...er_bryant2.doc

John

"John Smith" wrote in message
...
I have a Grundig YB-500 (Yacht Boy 500) shortwave portable. I
frequently take it to remote locations with me and have enjoyed the
radio for years. It has a short pull up whip antenna, all I have done
in the past is to slingshot a long wire into a tree and use a clip lead
to attach it to the pull-up whip (no external ant connections on the
radio).

I was wondering what the impedance the collapsed whip would present, and
what sort or a balun/auto-transformer could be used between a longwire
(or other ant), gnd and the pull-up whip to improve reception...

.... anyone ever done any experimenting or unique ideas?

Warmest regards,
John C. Smith

--
Watching the cutting edge of yesterday replay--in virtual reality, right
before my eyes--in real time!
Thirty year old technology--wasn't it amazing?