On Feb 11, 8:52*am, Art Harris wrote:
cadillac_eldorado wrote:

I do have a decent Sony portable radio, and I feel like I'm just on
the verge of getting some good signals. My question is this--I have a
small balcony off of my radio listening room, and I'm wondering if
there's a way I can use the metal railing of the balcony as an
antenna. *It's just about what you think, a large metal railing. *Can
I wrap some wire around part of it, and alligator-clip the other end
to my whip antenna?

Sure, just try it. What have you got to lose? In a pinch I've even
connected a short wire to the metal ground screw on an electrical
switch plate with fair results. If you're on the 2nd floor, a "ground"
can be a decent antenna.

If the railing works, a stainless hose clamp would be a better way of
securing the wire to the rail.

Good Luck,

Art N2AH

CE,

Here are another two simple 'Inductive' {Pick-up} Antenna
-Tricks- for Shortwave Radio Listeners (SWLs) living in
Apartment/Condos : Try Wrapping 10~12 Turns of
Insulated Wire around the :

* Telephone Line between the wall to the phone
usually close to the wall.

* Cable TV Coax Cable between the wall to the TV/STB
usually close to the wall.

Sometimes these simple 'Inductive' {Pick-up} Antenna
will work with good RF Signal levels for AM/FM Shortwave
Radio Listening.

Other-Times Oops ! - All this simple 'Inductive' {Pick-up}
Antenna may do is add to the Noise Levels that you are
hearing without an improvement in what you can hear.


cost little in time and money -and- worth a try - iane ~ RHF