mike wrote:
My 30 yard long random wire goes from the gutter @ 25 feet high down
to a wooden post at the end of the yard. From there it goes another 20
yards at an average of 3 feet high. Works great compared to the whip.
Fed with coax, I dont get household noise at all.

While this setup works, gain is minimal. If all 30 yards were 9 feet
high or better then I might get up to 6 db of gain.

Gain in a horizontal antenna is always associated with directivity. In
order to have gain in some directions, you must have nulls in other
directions. Unless the gain is in the direction of your target, it
will do no good. Also, the directional pattern will be vary
significantly with frequency.

A good rule of thumb for a DX antenna (for good low-angle reception)
is to install a horizontal antenna at least 1/2 wavelength above
ground. At 15 MHz, that's about 33 feet. At 5 MHz, it's about 100
feet.

You'll still hear plenty of signals with a mediocre antenna. A more
efficient antenna will pick up more signal, but also more noise.
However, a DIRECTIONAL antenna aimed in the desired direction WILL
improve signal-to-noise ratio. That's because it will reject noise and
other signals coming from other directions.

Art N2AH

Will a shortwave longwire antenna work if it is laid on the ground or does
it have to be hung in the air from a tree or something similar?

Pierre,
Indeed you can just lay it on the ground, actually (many already know this)
you can actually 'bury' your antenna and it will still work.

If restrictions or lack of a tree are in your way, you always have the
ground. I have one antenna that is 'on the ground' and has been for over
two years and it had always worked extremley well for myself. I started
with just 50ft. at first and now I think it is well over 700ft. pointed
'southwest.'

What is the 'makeup' of your terrain may I ask. {?}

--
~*~*~Monitoring the Spectrum~*~*~
***GO BEARCATS***
~*~*~Oct.15th Payback Begins~*~*~*~
~~~Hammarlund129X/140X~~~
**Heathkit Q Multiplier**
GE P-780

I live in a townhouse with a tiny yard. I hate it and I can't wait to buy my
own house with a few acres of yard.
I am considering ground antenna or putting it in the attic. I currently have
it running around inside the bedroom but I get tons of static and hum.

Pierre


"dxlover" wrote in message
t...
Will a shortwave longwire antenna work if it is laid on the ground or
does
it have to be hung in the air from a tree or something similar?

Pierre,
Indeed you can just lay it on the ground, actually (many already know
this)
you can actually 'bury' your antenna and it will still work.

If restrictions or lack of a tree are in your way, you always have the
ground. I have one antenna that is 'on the ground' and has been for over
two years and it had always worked extremley well for myself. I started
with just 50ft. at first and now I think it is well over 700ft. pointed
'southwest.'

What is the 'makeup' of your terrain may I ask. {?}

--
~*~*~Monitoring the Spectrum~*~*~
***GO BEARCATS***
~*~*~Oct.15th Payback Begins~*~*~*~
~~~Hammarlund129X/140X~~~
**Heathkit Q Multiplier**
GE P-780

People are now trying BOGs (Beverage On Ground) with much success.


"Peter" wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...
I live in a townhouse with a tiny yard. I hate it and I can't wait to buy
my
own house with a few acres of yard.
I am considering ground antenna or putting it in the attic. I currently
have
it running around inside the bedroom but I get tons of static and hum.

Pierre


"dxlover" wrote in message
t...
Will a shortwave longwire antenna work if it is laid on the ground or
does
it have to be hung in the air from a tree or something similar?

Pierre,
Indeed you can just lay it on the ground, actually (many already know
this)
you can actually 'bury' your antenna and it will still work.

If restrictions or lack of a tree are in your way, you always have the
ground. I have one antenna that is 'on the ground' and has been for
over
two years and it had always worked extremley well for myself. I started
with just 50ft. at first and now I think it is well over 700ft. pointed
'southwest.'

What is the 'makeup' of your terrain may I ask. {?}

--
~*~*~Monitoring the Spectrum~*~*~
***GO BEARCATS***
~*~*~Oct.15th Payback Begins~*~*~*~
~~~Hammarlund129X/140X~~~
**Heathkit Q Multiplier**
GE P-780

FO&A,

Update for both these "On-the-Ground" and "Near-the-Ground" type of
Antennas it is better to use a "Heavy" Insulated Wire like Landscaping
Lighting Cable.

Landscaping Lighting Cable is a type of Heavy Duty Electical "Zip
Cord" (two conductors) has a thicker and stronger black rubberized
plastic insulation that is designed to be used outside in the weather
and/or on/under the ground.

It can be simply used as is in: parallel (dual) antenna elements;
series folded
single antenna elements.

The two conductors can be separate into two single wires and
configured into any shape or form of ground level antenna that fits
your needs.
- - - A 200 Foot Loop Antenna on the Fence ?

Landscaping Lighting Cable is available at Home Depot, Lowes, ACE,
etc.

Landscaping Lighting Cable comes in 50Ft and 100Ft lengths.

Landscaping Lighting Cable also Works for Hidden "On-the-Fence"
Antennas Too !
- - - Where this heavier wire can be supported.

Landscaping Lighting Cable is NOT recommended where the the Antenna
Wire is going to be suspended up in the air due to its heavier weight.

iane ~ RHF
..
..
= = = (RHF)
= = = wrote in message . com...
Pierre,

Here are two Ground Level (Hidden) Antennas to consider.

* * * SNAKE ANTENNA:

Here is a short sample "Snake Antenna" Reading List:
http://www.kc7nod.20m.com/snake.htm
http://lists.contesting.com/_topband.../msg00302.html
http://atanasoff.rf.org/pipermail/ta...99/001042.html
http://dayton.akorn.net/pipermail/cq...ry/001596.html
http://www.qsl.net/ve3mcf/elecraft_r...enna_Snake.txt

Down To Earth Antennas = Outdoor Antennas Forbidden? Go for the Snake
!
http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx...al/swlant.html
http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx...ial/snake1.gif
http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx...ial/snake2.gif

* * * GRASSWIRE ANTENNA:
The GRASSWIRE another approach to hidden HF antennas by K3MT
http://users.erols.com/k3mt/graswire/graswire.htm
- - - This is a 'shorter' length antenna element with counterpoises to
give it some directivity.


OBTW: A 'copy' of the original Message and this Reply will be posted
on the "SWL Antennas and AM & FM Antennas" eGroup on YAHOO !
GoTo= http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWL-AM-FM-Antenna/


iane ~ RHF
.
.
= = = "Peter"
= = = wrote in message gers.com...
Will a shortwave longwire antenna work if it is laid on the ground or does
it have to be hung in the air from a tree or something similar?

Thanks for your input.

Pierre