Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

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!!!

Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

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

Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

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).

Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

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

Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

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

Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

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.. )

Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

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

Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

On May 17, 8:11*pm, wrote:
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

I was hoping to spend a max of $150 or so. Is that too low a buy-in
for the kind of equipment I'd need? If so, bummer.

Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

"Daniel Salas" wrote in message
news:6d07fc84-1df8-4425-bcaf-
I was hoping to spend a max of $150 or so. Is that too low a buy-in
for the kind of equipment I'd need? If so, bummer.

For a $150 price point, you can't get a lot in the way of a new radio, but
there are a lot of good radios that can be found for that or less on the
used radio market. Ebay is a good source, but you should check with some of
our regulars about any sellers you're looking at. Also, good radios turn up
here in this NG from time to time.

Newbie on a Brooklyn Rooftop - Should I Bother?
 

On Mon, 17 May 2010 17:35:25 -0700 (PDT), Daniel Salas
wrote:

On May 17, 8:11*pm, wrote:
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

I was hoping to spend a max of $150 or so. Is that too low a buy-in
for the kind of equipment I'd need? If so, bummer.

That is pretty low. You could get a good portable. The Sony
ICF-SW7600GR is about $150. There are others.

I would try to find someone with a good shortwave radio they could
bring over and test at your apartment and determine what types of
interference are present. That way you can figure out if a portable
will fill your needs. You may need a radio with a noise blanker if
there is serious power line noise. That would take the radio out of
the price range you are considering.

Jim