Trouble getting started
 

I am trying to get started in shortwave, but I'm having trouble coming out of the chute. I recently dusted off a 13 year old stereo
and discovered that it was also a shortwave receiver. It is a Sony model FH-E727CD that combined CD/Cassette/Radio in an apartment
style enclosure. I tried hooking up the speakers and antenna and I can get the local AM and FM stations just fine, but I can't get
any SW at all. I live in Calgary and according to several web sites there is a station just south of hear that transmits at 6030 (eg
http://www.mindspring.com/~ttmdoc/canadianchallange.htm ), but I can't hear anything decipherable; just noise. I have a small loop
antenna that came with the radio. If I disconnect the antenna I get absolutely nothing; but with the antenna connected I get
background noise on all frequencies. So, what should I try next to get more stations?

Thanks,
Gavin

Gavin Jacobs wrote:

I am trying to get started in shortwave, but I'm having trouble coming out of the chute. I recently dusted off a 13 year old stereo
and discovered that it was also a shortwave receiver. It is a Sony model FH-E727CD that combined CD/Cassette/Radio in an apartment
style enclosure. I tried hooking up the speakers and antenna and I can get the local AM and FM stations just fine, but I can't get
any SW at all. I live in Calgary and according to several web sites there is a station just south of hear that transmits at 6030 (eg
http://www.mindspring.com/~ttmdoc/canadianchallange.htm ), but I can't hear anything decipherable; just noise. I have a small loop
antenna that came with the radio. If I disconnect the antenna I get absolutely nothing; but with the antenna connected I get
background noise on all frequencies. So, what should I try next to get more stations?

Thanks,
Gavin

Well, CFVP is apparently still using 6030 with 100 watts. If you can't get *any* stations on shortwave then you might look into repair
of that radio, or the purchase of a new one altogether.

Steve
Holland, MI
Drake R7, R8 and R8B

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/dxpage.htm

In article , N8KDV
writes:

I tried hooking up the speakers and antenna

how much antenna did you hook up ?? It should be around 30 feet of wire
set away from other applances to be effective..

What shortwave fequencies are covered? You may be trying to listen to a part of
the spectrum during the wrong time of day.

Bill, K5BY

Thanks for all the tips so far.

N8KDV If you can't get *any* stations on shortwave then you might look into
repair
of that radio, or the purchase of a new one altogether.
GBJ I did manage to get WWV at 10.00 MHz and a few other stations very
faint.
GBJ I also ordered a new radio.

Diverd4777 how much antenna did you hook up ?? It should be around 30 feet
of wire set away from other appliances to be effective..
GBJ A very rough guess would be 10 - 20 feet of wire wrapped in a
rectangular plastic housing provided by Sony; with about 4 feet to connect
to the receiver. I can't get at the wire itself (to count the number of
loops) without breaking the plastic. From the websites I have seen, this is
probably insufficient.

GBJ I have the loop hanging from a ceiling hook, so it is well removed from
any other electrical device.

WShoots1What shortwave frequencies are covered? You may be trying to listen
to a part of
the spectrum during the wrong time of day.
GBJ The radio will scroll (scan?) through all frequencies from 5 to 17 MHz.
It only locks on to a few frequencies that have a buzzing (??) sound. I have
made my attempts in the evening (9 - 12 PM MST; we are GMT-7, so I think
that span is 04 - 07 UCT)

Gavin


"Gavin Jacobs" wrote in message
news:U4bEb.102677$bC.28176@clgrps13...
I am trying to get started in shortwave, but I'm having trouble coming out
of the chute. I recently dusted off a 13 year old stereo
and discovered that it was also a shortwave receiver. It is a Sony model
FH-E727CD that combined CD/Cassette/Radio in an apartment
style enclosure. I tried hooking up the speakers and antenna and I can get
the local AM and FM stations just fine, but I can't get
any SW at all. I live in Calgary and according to several web sites there
is a station just south of hear that transmits at 6030 (eg
http://www.mindspring.com/~ttmdoc/canadianchallange.htm ), but I can't
hear anything decipherable; just noise. I have a small loop
antenna that came with the radio. If I disconnect the antenna I get
absolutely nothing; but with the antenna connected I get
background noise on all frequencies. So, what should I try next to get
more stations?

Thanks,
Gavin

GJ,

Does the Sony FH-E727CD have any other Antenna Terminals beside
the two that you are using for the simple AM/MW/BCB Loop Antenna ?
- If it does, then read the labeling on them and use then.

NOTE: Many of this type of multi-function entertainment Radio,
CDs, ETC use the A/C Power Cord as an FM Antenna.

FIRST Try This: A 'simple' FM/TV (300 Ohm) Twin Lead Folded Dipole Antenna.
- It-Looks-Like-A "T".
- Here are some Links:
http://www.northcountryradio.com/Articles/fmdip.htm
http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/dipole.html
http://makeashorterlink.com/?O5D126DD6
http://kalx.berkeley.edu/recept/antsurvy.htm
http://www.kgnu.org/howtohear/antenna.html
http://arista-20-2590-folded-dipole-...epot-shop.com/
- Connect it to the Antenna Terminals on the radio used by the Loop Antenna.
- Stretch it out up the wall with the "Arms" 'spread-out' like a "T".
? ? ? Does your overall reception improve on AM? FM? and SW???

SECOND: Read Message #209 on the SWL Antennas and AM & FM eGroup
on YAHOO! "Two InDoor "Hidden" SWL Antenna Ideas"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWL-AM...na/message/209
- - - Both are Low Cost and 'easy' to Make and Set-Up.


iane ~ RHF
..
..
= = = "Gavin Jacobs"
= = = wrote in message news:U4bEb.102677$bC.28176@clgrps13...
I am trying to get started in shortwave, but I'm having trouble
coming out of the chute. I recently dusted off a 13 year old
stereo and discovered that it was also a shortwave receiver.
It is a Sony model FH-E727CD that combined CD/Cassette/Radio
in an apartment style enclosure. I tried hooking up the speakers
and antenna and I can get the local AM and FM stations just fine,
but I can't get any SW at all. I live in Calgary and according
to several web sites there is a station just south of hear that
transmits at 6030 (eg)
http://www.mindspring.com/~ttmdoc/canadianchallange.htm
but I can't hear anything decipherable; just noise. I have a
small loop antenna that came with the radio. If I disconnect
the antenna I get absolutely nothing; but with the antenna
connected I get background noise on all frequencies. So, what
should I try next to get more stations?

Thanks,
Gavin

..

In article U4bEb.102677$bC.28176@clgrps13,
says...
I am trying to get started in shortwave, but I'm having trouble coming
out of the chute. I recently dusted off a 13 year old stereo and
discovered that it was also a shortwave receiver. It is a Sony model
FH-E727CD that combined CD/Cassette/Radio in an apartment style
enclosure. I tried hooking up the speakers and antenna and I can get
the local AM and FM stations just fine, but I can't get any SW at all.
I live in Calgary and according to several web sites there is a
station just south of hear that transmits at 6030 (eg
http://www.mindspring.com/~ttmdoc/canadianchallange.htm ), but I can't
hear anything decipherable; just noise. I have a small loop antenna
that came with the radio. If I disconnect the antenna I get absolutely
nothing; but with the antenna connected I get background noise on all
frequencies. So, what should I try next to get more stations?

I would start by putting a longer-wire antenna on the receiver, and
putting it outside if at all possible. As a rule of thumb: the higher
the antenna, and the longer the wire, the better your reception will be.

--

-- //Steve//

Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS
Fountain Valley, CA
Email:

Please visit the following sites:

American Shortwave Listening Club (ASWLC)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aswlc

Southern California Area DXers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scads