On Mar 24, 7:01*pm, wrote:
On Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:05:11 -0400, BobS
wrote:

I live on the 2nd floor of a condo (no outside antennas allowed) with a
random wire (60') from my R8B, out the window, and thrown over a tree
branch. No separate feedline; just one length of thin wire from radio to
tree. As expected reception is compromised with excessive noise. Can
anyone advise if there is a way to reduce the noise? *Can't have a
ground rod. Don't want to move. *Would an active antenna be an
improvement or a waste of money? I do understand that I'm never going to
have a Good setup, but just looking for some improvement.

Thanks...Bob

Remove MYHAT for email response

If you want a balun assembled:http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/antsup/1484.html

If your noise is due to nearby electrical equipment you may want to
try an active noise canceller:http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...ters/0094.html

Hopefully a balun will help. An active antenna would probably be
worse. If you have 60 ft of wire that should give you pretty good
signal level. Be sure to run coax from the radio to the balun. This is
key to getting rid of interior electrical noise. It would be best if
the balun was outside but I realize it might be noticed. Keep it as
close to the window as possible.

Jim

MLB by RF Systems is a very good accessory to diminish noise-
have it for several years with exceptional results... Also, we must
remember that a vertical component in an aerial always picks up more
noise than a horizontal. Now- on the subject of gounding. A ground
does not always attenuate noise. In fact, I have witnessed quite the
opposite. Ground does not have to come from a rod driven into the
ground. For instance: if the plumbing in the building is metallic,
then a cold water pipe may be the solution. Or, if the structure is
more up-to-date,a steel beam (if acessible) is just as good. Some
types of noise(constant sparking, HV AC lines, strong intensity RF
etc.) cannot be eliminated but rather reduced,sometimes
significantly. What type of noise are you experiencing, is man-made
or just static discharges (natural)?