Hi All,

Complete newbie here considering purchasing a shortwave radio, but
since I've heard that sw's can have trouble picking up signals in NYC
I want to get some info from the experts before I take the plunge.

I live in northern Brooklyn, NY, in a top-floor apartment that has
roof access. There are really no buildings much taller than mine in
the area (save Manhattan across the river, of course). So I'm
wondering, can I expect much success in picking up shortwave stations,
and if so, what do you think is the cheapest model I could get away
with for my area and still expect decent results? I know that sw
involves some work and hunting, which I'm prepared to do, I just don't
want to be completely out-of-luck.

Let me know how you think I should proceed.

Much thanks in advance!!!

On Mon, 17 May 2010 14:49:13 -0700 (PDT), Daniel Salas
wrote:

Hi All,

Complete newbie here considering purchasing a shortwave radio, but
since I've heard that sw's can have trouble picking up signals in NYC
I want to get some info from the experts before I take the plunge.

I live in northern Brooklyn, NY, in a top-floor apartment that has
roof access. There are really no buildings much taller than mine in
the area (save Manhattan across the river, of course). So I'm
wondering, can I expect much success in picking up shortwave stations,
and if so, what do you think is the cheapest model I could get away
with for my area and still expect decent results? I know that sw
involves some work and hunting, which I'm prepared to do, I just don't
want to be completely out-of-luck.

Let me know how you think I should proceed.

Much thanks in advance!!!

Is this a flat metal roof?

Jim

On May 17, 6:10*pm, wrote:
On Mon, 17 May 2010 14:49:13 -0700 (PDT), Daniel Salas



wrote:
Hi All,

Complete newbie here considering purchasing a shortwave radio, but
since I've heard that sw's can have trouble picking up signals in NYC
I want to get some info from the experts before I take the plunge.

I live in northern Brooklyn, NY, in a top-floor apartment that has
roof access. There are really no buildings much taller than mine in
the area (save Manhattan across the river, of course). So I'm
wondering, can I expect much success in picking up shortwave stations,
and if so, what do you think is the cheapest model I could get away
with for my area and still expect decent results? I know that sw
involves some work and hunting, which I'm prepared to do, I just don't
want to be completely out-of-luck.

Let me know how you think I should proceed.

Much thanks in advance!!!

Is this a flat metal roof?

Jim

It's flat, and is covered in a semi-soft, rubberish substance. Don't
know about what's underneath (if that matters).

On Mon, 17 May 2010 15:42:01 -0700 (PDT), Daniel Salas
wrote:

On May 17, 6:10*pm, wrote:
On Mon, 17 May 2010 14:49:13 -0700 (PDT), Daniel Salas



wrote:
Hi All,

Complete newbie here considering purchasing a shortwave radio, but
since I've heard that sw's can have trouble picking up signals in NYC
I want to get some info from the experts before I take the plunge.

I live in northern Brooklyn, NY, in a top-floor apartment that has
roof access. There are really no buildings much taller than mine in
the area (save Manhattan across the river, of course). So I'm
wondering, can I expect much success in picking up shortwave stations,
and if so, what do you think is the cheapest model I could get away
with for my area and still expect decent results? I know that sw
involves some work and hunting, which I'm prepared to do, I just don't
want to be completely out-of-luck.

Let me know how you think I should proceed.

Much thanks in advance!!!

Is this a flat metal roof?

Jim

It's flat, and is covered in a semi-soft, rubberish substance. Don't
know about what's underneath (if that matters).

A metal roof would be best to avoid interference from inside the
apartment. Not a necessity though. The main thing is you are pretty
much in the clear to receive shortwave signals and also in the clear
to receive interference from outside sources.

You might want to get your hands on a cheap portable shortwave and
check for these sources. You could have a problem from electrical
wires. Also computers, tv's, etc. in adjacent apartments are potential
sources of interference. Try to find the most quiet spot to erect an
antenna.

You could put up a piece of pvc pipe and hang an inverted vee from it.
Or to be safe, (see last comment), put supports in two corners and
hang a dipole in between. Do a search for hf antennas and you will
find a lot of information. All you really need is a piece of wire that
is insulated from its supports to connect to your radio. This will get
you started.

The main thing is - whatever you do, don't tear a hole in that roof
membrane.

Jim

You could weigh the antenna support(s) down with sandbags.
cuhulin

wrote in message
...
You might want to get your hands on a cheap portable shortwave and
check for these sources. You could have a problem from electrical
wires. Also computers, tv's, etc. in adjacent apartments are potential
sources of interference. Try to find the most quiet spot to erect an
antenna.

Cheap SW radios have a nasty tendency to be easily overloaded by high level
VHF signals (such as TV and FM eminating from the ESB, in most likely direct
line-of-sight from his building.. )

On Tue, 18 May 2010 08:42:36 +0900, "Brenda Ann"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
You might want to get your hands on a cheap portable shortwave and
check for these sources. You could have a problem from electrical
wires. Also computers, tv's, etc. in adjacent apartments are potential
sources of interference. Try to find the most quiet spot to erect an
antenna.

Cheap SW radios have a nasty tendency to be easily overloaded by high level
VHF signals (such as TV and FM eminating from the ESB, in most likely direct
line-of-sight from his building.

Well, I guess the first question to ask is: What is the budget for the
SW radio?

Oh, and the sandbags are a good idea to keep a support in place while
protecting the roof. Thanks.

Jim

On May 17, 5:49*pm, Daniel Salas wrote:
Hi All,

Complete newbie here considering purchasing a shortwave radio, but
since I've heard that sw's can have trouble picking up signals in NYC
I want to get some info from the experts before I take the plunge.

I live in northern Brooklyn, NY, in a top-floor apartment that has
roof access. There are really no buildings much taller than mine in
the area (save Manhattan across the river, of course). So I'm
wondering, can I expect much success in picking up shortwave stations,
and if so, what do you think is the cheapest model I could get away
with for my area and still expect decent results? I know that sw
involves some work and hunting, which I'm prepared to do, I just don't
want to be completely out-of-luck.

Let me know how you think I should proceed.

Much thanks in advance!!!

Hi Daniel and welcome to RRS :-) You'll definitely get alot of help
and recommendations from everyone here. Brenda Ann said something that
is so true, don't get something cheap (radio wise.) It will just ruin
your radio experience and IMO by newbies going that route - they
quickly gave up on the hobby.

I can tell you from my personal experience, with the setup of you
living on that top floor and having access to the roof - you could
really put together a nice setup.

As for your radio, it all depends on how much jack you want to spend.
If money isn't much of an obstacle go with maybe an Icom R-75 to start
out, or any of the nicer tabletop models. Worse case scenario, you
give the hobby a try and don't like it or it just isn't your
bag.....then you can always sell your piece and you haven't lost a
thing.

If you don't want to spend that kind of money, there "are" workarounds
so too speak. There are all kinds of accessories that can aid in
cleaning up a signal too. You can purchase a nice portable receiver, I
have a couple and they do come in handy when or if you want to get
away, and trust me - if you get into the hobby and enjoy it....there
WILL be times where you want to get away from any RFI (interference)
and you'll flip when you see the difference. It will almost make you
want to build a small cabin ( I did ) or go to the beach or park and
have a ball.

But one of the most important things is your antenna. It could be as
simple as running fifty feet of wire and coupling it to your whip
antenna or buying one ready made that is cut for all the bands or
specific bands of your liking. But with you having access to the
roof...yeah baby...you could have a badass setup if you wanted.
Welcome to the hobby and read read read read and you'll learn alot.
Good luck and let everyone know what you chose to do. :-)

On Mon, 17 May 2010 14:49:13 -0700 (PDT), Daniel Salas
wrote:
Hi All,

Complete newbie here considering purchasing a shortwave radio, but
since I've heard that sw's can have trouble picking up signals in NYC
I want to get some info from the experts before I take the plunge.

I live in northern Brooklyn, NY, in a top-floor apartment that has
roof access. There are really no buildings much taller than mine in
the area (save Manhattan across the river, of course). So I'm
wondering, can I expect much success in picking up shortwave stations,
and if so, what do you think is the cheapest model I could get away
with for my area and still expect decent results? I know that sw
involves some work and hunting, which I'm prepared to do, I just don't
want to be completely out-of-luck.

Let me know how you think I should proceed.

Much thanks in advance!!!

I live in manhattan, without roof access (well, without authorized
access, anyways). You can pick up lots of stations here with just a
good portable and 20 feet of wire strung outside the windows. And in
Brooklyn, you'll have less interference.

Moreover, since you have roof access, you have lots of options on how
to place your antenna, which, if you start with a portable, need only
be wire clipped to or wrapped around the radio's whip antenna.

More NYC SWL questions? Just ask. But if you decide to put an antenna
on the roof, be sure to protect against lightning. It wasn't too long
ago that some dope downtown got fried because he went up on his roof
to "enjoy" a thunderstorm.

--
Col. I. P. Yurin
Commissariat of Internal Security

Stakhanovite
Order of Lenin (1937)
Hero of Socialist Labor (1939)

On May 17, 5:49*pm, Daniel Salas wrote:
Hi All,

Complete newbie here considering purchasing a shortwave radio, but
since I've heard that sw's can have trouble picking up signals in NYC
I want to get some info from the experts before I take the plunge.

I live in northern Brooklyn, NY, in a top-floor apartment that has
roof access. There are really no buildings much taller than mine in
the area (save Manhattan across the river, of course). So I'm
wondering, can I expect much success in picking up shortwave stations,
and if so, what do you think is the cheapest model I could get away
with for my area and still expect decent results? I know that sw
involves some work and hunting, which I'm prepared to do, I just don't
want to be completely out-of-luck.

Let me know how you think I should proceed.

Much thanks in advance!!!

You may ecounter some RF interference from being in close proximity to
the Empire State building. Also,Cablevision and Time Warner cables may
cause serious buzzing in occasionally extreme cases. J&R on Park Row
is a decent place to start shopping for an entry level receiver. And
you will actually find a knowledgeable sales person , unlike R.Shack!