On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 19:18:01 -0500, "Robert11"
wrote:

BTW: For general shortwave listening, is there a generally accepted
"optimum" for the length ratio between the horiz
and vert. legs ? Is the ratio freq. dependent ?

Hi Bob,

If there's any its on the order of 1:3. However, there's no point
going there with any high expectations - or even low expectations.
Going from a whip, or internal antenna to the external antenna you
have your mind set on is a leap in improvement. The next leap of
improvement will require $500 to a grand to set up a tower - and then
start thinking about the antenna on it. All steps between leaps are
small steps indeed.

You might try looking into phased arrays, but you should really
concentrate on making one good antenna and noting your baseline in
performance. On marker is how much noise do you live in? SWL varies
considerably through the bands, through the day/night, through the
seasons, and through the sun spot cycle. You have to consider that
what you may be trying to hear just isn't hearable because of those
same variables, much less an antenna.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC