RHF, I went to radioshack.com and tried to see what some of your parts
were ... I have no idea. They're not listed in the catalog any more.
For example, Cat#: 15-1148 = 75 to 300 Ohm Mini-Plug Adapter
It's an old part number and apparently not available any more ... I
even searched for a "Mini plug adapter" and "75 300" and got nothing
similar.

What do you suggest for me? Thanks kindly...

Rich Seifert, KB2ZMF
Ankara, Turkey
Please don't reply to this e-mail address ... it's a dead address ...


(Rich) wrote in message . com...
I am using the simple 20 Ft Wire Antenna "Clipped" to the whip
Antenna. I guess I'll need to go to radioshack.com and get some
parts. This is frustrating. Thanks RHF!

Rich


(RHF) wrote in message . com...
RS,

Are you using the 1/8" External SW Antenna Jack on the side of the
radio with the simple 20 Ft Wire Antenna strung outside ?

Or, are your using the simple 20 Ft Wire Antenna strung outside
"Clipped" to the Sony ICF-Sw77's WHIP Antenna ?
* Something like RadioShack Catalog #: 278-1374 = Portable Shortwave
Antenna

You did not identify whether you were using a Ground Connection; or
not.
- - - Are you using a Ground with the radio and antenna ?

PARTS: Here are two simple SWL Antenna Ideas using a few common
RadioShack TV Antenna type parts:
Catalog #: 15-1174 = 50-Ft. 300 Ohm (Flat) TV Twin-Lead
Catalog #: 15-1230 = 75 to 300 Ohm Matching Transformer (2 Ea.)
Catalog #: 15-1148 = 75 to 300 Ohm Mini-Plug Adapter
Catalog #: 15-1547 = 8 Foot Coax Cable with F Connectors (8Ft~25Ft)
Catalog #: 274-286 = 1/8" Mono-Plug

Two "TV" Parts SWL Antennas with Noise Reduction Properties:

INDOOR - Wall/Ceiling Perimeter Loop Antenna made from 300 Ohm (Flat)
TV Twin-Lead and using a 75 to 300 Ohm Mini-Plug Adapter to connect
the Antenna Element to the radio.
* The Loop Antenna Element circles the Ceiling of the Room (or a Wall
of the Room).
* The Loop Antenna Element forms a continous double loop around the
room.
* The Down Lead (FeedLine) connects to the ends of the Loop Antenna
Element.
* The TV Twin Lead is connected to the 300 Ohm Terminals of the
Mini-Plug Adapter.
* The 75 Ohm (1/8" Mono-Plug) is plugged into the radio's External
1/8" Antenna Jack.
NOTE: The Horizontal Ceiling Loop Antenna should
balance-cancel-reduce most man made noise and be Omni-Directional.
The Vertical Wall Loop Antenna will have more noise but may show some
directional properties.

OUTSIDE - Vertical [Skinny Flat Loop] Antenna 300 Ohm (Flat) TV
Twin-Lead and using a Coax Lead-In. The Coax Lead-In would be a 300
to 75 Ohm Matching Transformer; 8 Foot Coax Cable with F Connectors;
75 to 300 Ohm Matching Transformer; and 1/8" Mono-Plug to connect the
Antenna
* The Loop Antenna Element is dropped outside vertically from your
window.
* * The Loop Antenna Element is formed by connecting the two ends of
the bottom tip of the 300 Ohm TV Twin Lead.
* * This forms a continuous single skinny vertical flat loop going
down and back up.
* * This also represents a Balance 300 Ohm Load to match-up with the
300 Ohm Matching Transformer.
* The 300 Ohm Leads of the Matching Transformer connects to the ends
of the Loop Antenna Element.
* The 75 Ohm F Connector of the Matching Transformer is connected to
the 75 Ohm Coax Cable.
* The 75 Ohm Coax Cable acts as the Lead-In from the Outside to
inside the room.
* The other end of the 75 Ohm Coax Cable is connected to the 75 Ohm F
Connector of the Matching Transformer.
* The 300 Ohm Leads of the Matching Transformer are connected to the
Center/Tip and the Outer/Barrel of the 1/8" Mono-Plug.
* The 1/8" Mono-Plug is plugged into the radio's External 1/8"
Antenna Jack.
NOTE: Using the 300 Ohm TV Twin Lead in a Skinny Flat Loop Antenna
should balance-cancel-reduce most man made noise and be
Omni-Directional.

OBTW: Once this Vertical Antenna is 'assembled' it makes a good
travel SWL Antenna.

GROUND: Find a Grounding Point within/about your dwelling.
* Secure a good Grounding Point for your Radio and Antenna.
* Run a Heavy & Short Ground Wire to your Radio.
* Locate a good Case/Signal Ground Point on your Radio.
* Attach/Secure the Ground Wire to the Radio's Ground.

FWIW: Both these Antennas using common TV Antenna type parts should
be effective as SWL Antennas above 5MHz and beyond 30MHz.


iane ~ RHF

RS,

These are usually provided as an accessory with 'portable' TVs that
have an 1/8" external Antenna Jack. Stores that sell small 3" to 9"
portable TVs may have them for sale.

Here are two webpages with images of this item.

Portable TV Antenna Adapter.
Use to interface an outdoor antenna or cable
signal to a portable television. 3.5 mm. phone
plug to 300 ohm screw terminals.
(Stock #: TV02)
http://www.smcelectronics.com/TVREP.HTM
Down at the middle of the webpage.

RadioShack.Canada Catalog #15-1148
http://www.radioshack.ca/estore/Sear...log=RadioShack


~ RHF
..
..
= = = (Rich)
= = = wrote in message . com...
RHF, I went to radioshack.com and tried to see what some of your parts
were ... I have no idea. They're not listed in the catalog any more.
For example, Cat#: 15-1148 = 75 to 300 Ohm Mini-Plug Adapter
It's an old part number and apparently not available any more ... I
even searched for a "Mini plug adapter" and "75 300" and got nothing
similar.

What do you suggest for me? Thanks kindly...

Rich Seifert, KB2ZMF
Ankara, Turkey
Please don't reply to this e-mail address ... it's a dead address ...


(Rich) wrote in message . com...
I am using the simple 20 Ft Wire Antenna "Clipped" to the whip
Antenna. I guess I'll need to go to radioshack.com and get some
parts. This is frustrating. Thanks RHF!

Rich


(RHF) wrote in message . com...
RS,

Are you using the 1/8" External SW Antenna Jack on the side of the
radio with the simple 20 Ft Wire Antenna strung outside ?

Or, are your using the simple 20 Ft Wire Antenna strung outside
"Clipped" to the Sony ICF-Sw77's WHIP Antenna ?
* Something like RadioShack Catalog #: 278-1374 = Portable Shortwave
Antenna

You did not identify whether you were using a Ground Connection; or
not.
- - - Are you using a Ground with the radio and antenna ?

PARTS: Here are two simple SWL Antenna Ideas using a few common
RadioShack TV Antenna type parts:
Catalog #: 15-1174 = 50-Ft. 300 Ohm (Flat) TV Twin-Lead
Catalog #: 15-1230 = 75 to 300 Ohm Matching Transformer (2 Ea.)
Catalog #: 15-1148 = 75 to 300 Ohm Mini-Plug Adapter
Catalog #: 15-1547 = 8 Foot Coax Cable with F Connectors (8Ft~25Ft)
Catalog #: 274-286 = 1/8" Mono-Plug

Two "TV" Parts SWL Antennas with Noise Reduction Properties:

INDOOR - Wall/Ceiling Perimeter Loop Antenna made from 300 Ohm (Flat)
TV Twin-Lead and using a 75 to 300 Ohm Mini-Plug Adapter to connect
the Antenna Element to the radio.
* The Loop Antenna Element circles the Ceiling of the Room (or a Wall
of the Room).
* The Loop Antenna Element forms a continous double loop around the
room.
* The Down Lead (FeedLine) connects to the ends of the Loop Antenna
Element.
* The TV Twin Lead is connected to the 300 Ohm Terminals of the
Mini-Plug Adapter.
* The 75 Ohm (1/8" Mono-Plug) is plugged into the radio's External
1/8" Antenna Jack.
NOTE: The Horizontal Ceiling Loop Antenna should
balance-cancel-reduce most man made noise and be Omni-Directional.
The Vertical Wall Loop Antenna will have more noise but may show some
directional properties.

OUTSIDE - Vertical [Skinny Flat Loop] Antenna 300 Ohm (Flat) TV
Twin-Lead and using a Coax Lead-In. The Coax Lead-In would be a 300
to 75 Ohm Matching Transformer; 8 Foot Coax Cable with F Connectors;
75 to 300 Ohm Matching Transformer; and 1/8" Mono-Plug to connect the
Antenna
* The Loop Antenna Element is dropped outside vertically from your
window.
* * The Loop Antenna Element is formed by connecting the two ends of
the bottom tip of the 300 Ohm TV Twin Lead.
* * This forms a continuous single skinny vertical flat loop going
down and back up.
* * This also represents a Balance 300 Ohm Load to match-up with the
300 Ohm Matching Transformer.
* The 300 Ohm Leads of the Matching Transformer connects to the ends
of the Loop Antenna Element.
* The 75 Ohm F Connector of the Matching Transformer is connected to
the 75 Ohm Coax Cable.
* The 75 Ohm Coax Cable acts as the Lead-In from the Outside to
inside the room.
* The other end of the 75 Ohm Coax Cable is connected to the 75 Ohm F
Connector of the Matching Transformer.
* The 300 Ohm Leads of the Matching Transformer are connected to the
Center/Tip and the Outer/Barrel of the 1/8" Mono-Plug.
* The 1/8" Mono-Plug is plugged into the radio's External 1/8"
Antenna Jack.
NOTE: Using the 300 Ohm TV Twin Lead in a Skinny Flat Loop Antenna
should balance-cancel-reduce most man made noise and be
Omni-Directional.

OBTW: Once this Vertical Antenna is 'assembled' it makes a good
travel SWL Antenna.

GROUND: Find a Grounding Point within/about your dwelling.
* Secure a good Grounding Point for your Radio and Antenna.
* Run a Heavy & Short Ground Wire to your Radio.
* Locate a good Case/Signal Ground Point on your Radio.
* Attach/Secure the Ground Wire to the Radio's Ground.

FWIW: Both these Antennas using common TV Antenna type parts should
be effective as SWL Antennas above 5MHz and beyond 30MHz.


iane ~ RHF