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Shortwave Antenna Help
I want to build an antenna for my shortwave radio. I live in an apartment.
So it would have to be something I could put near the window. No longer then 3 feet. My idea is having 2 wires in a coil. Wrapped around PVC tubing on each end. It would look like the letter T. ( I am not sure which size of tubing to use). I am not sure how many feet of wire. Which type of wire. Should the wire be shield or not shield. If not shield, then when I wrap the wire, can it touch itself in the turn or must it be spaced apart? Then comes the end of the two wires. What do I use to solder to then plug into my portable radio? And is their a way I could make a tuner and have the wires connected to that first then to the radio? Thanks. 73 |
#2
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SR,
Consider a simple-to-make Dual Slinky Dipole Antenna using two "Mini-Slinkys" Stretched-Out Horizontally; that is fed with 300 Ohm "TV" Twin Lead and connected to your Radio via the HI-Z (500 Ohm) Terminals. .. NOTE: If you are using a 'portable' Shortwave Radio that uses an 1/8" Mono-Plug for an External Antenna Input. Then use a "300 to 75 Ohm 1/8" Mini-Plug Adapter" between the Antenna and the Radio. The 1/8" Mini-Plug Adapter to functions as an interface (Matching Transformer) for External SWL Antenna Signal to any 'portable' Radio that uses 1/8" Mono-Jack Input. The Twin Lead is connected to the two 300 Ohm Screw Terminals and the 1/8" Mono-Plug is plugged into the Radio. RadioShack Catalog #: 15-1148 R/S-CAT= http://tinyurl.com/2k2eu .. The '99 Cent' Slinky - For "Slinky" Antenna Experminters http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/852 Two Metal Springy Thingys {AKA} Slinky Junior and Mini-Slinky .. Simple and basic Vertical "SLINKY" Antenna & Tuner {All-in-One} http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/851 .. The SLINKY on a "Hula Hoop" Loop Antenna http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/858 .. About using a "SLINKY" as an Antenna - by John Doty http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/850 .. .. REMEMBER: "The AM/MW and Shortwave Antenna is 55.5% . . . of the Radio/Receiver and Antenna/Ground Reception Equation" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/288 A Shortwave Antenna is "Equally" Important for Good Reception [.] .. .. iane ~ RHF .. Some Say: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/502 I BELIEVE: On A Clear Night... You Can Hear Forever and Beyond - The Beyond ! .. .. = = = "S R" wrote in message = = = ... I want to build an antenna for my shortwave radio. I live in an apartment. So it would have to be something I could put near the window. No longer then 3 feet. My idea is having 2 wires in a coil. Wrapped around PVC tubing on each end. It would look like the letter T. ( I am not sure which size of tubing to use). I am not sure how many feet of wire. Which type of wire. Should the wire be shield or not shield. If not shield, then when I wrap the wire, can it touch itself in the turn or must it be spaced apart? Then comes the end of the two wires. What do I use to solder to then plug into my portable radio? And is their a way I could make a tuner and have the wires connected to that first then to the radio? Thanks. 73 .. |
#3
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Try the AMANDX site below. Several articles in simple language that will help you out.
- 73 and Best of DX Shawn Axelrod Visit the AMANDX DX site with info for the new or experienced listener: http://www.angelfire.com/mb/amandx/index.html REMEMBER ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN HEAR FOREVER S R wrote: I want to build an antenna for my shortwave radio. I live in an apartment. So it would have to be something I could put near the window. No longer then 3 feet. My idea is having 2 wires in a coil. Wrapped around PVC tubing on each end. It would look like the letter T. ( I am not sure which size of tubing to use). I am not sure how many feet of wire. Which type of wire. Should the wire be shield or not shield. If not shield, then when I wrap the wire, can it touch itself in the turn or must it be spaced apart? Then comes the end of the two wires. What do I use to solder to then plug into my portable radio? And is their a way I could make a tuner and have the wires connected to that first then to the radio? Thanks. 73 |
#4
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S R wrote:
I want to build an antenna for my shortwave radio. I live in an apartment. So it would have to be something I could put near the window. No longer then 3 feet. My idea is having 2 wires in a coil. Wrapped around PVC tubing on each end. It would look like the letter T. ( I am not sure which size of tubing to use). I am not sure how many feet of wire. Which type of wire. Should the wire be shield or not shield. If not shield, then when I wrap the wire, can it touch itself in the turn or must it be spaced apart? Then comes the end of the two wires. What do I use to solder to then plug into my portable radio? And is their a way I could make a tuner and have the wires connected to that first then to the radio? Thanks. 73 Type "broomstick antenna" into google. The DX guy from Cuba has some good projects. |
#5
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S R wrote:
I want to build an antenna for my shortwave radio. I live in an apartment. So it would have to be something I could put near the window. No longer then 3 feet. My idea is having 2 wires in a coil. Wrapped around PVC tubing on each end. It would look like the letter T. ( I am not sure which size of tubing to use). I am not sure how many feet of wire. Which type of wire. Should the wire be shield or not shield. If not shield, then when I wrap the wire, can it touch itself in the turn or must it be spaced apart? Then comes the end of the two wires. What do I use to solder to then plug into my portable radio? And is their a way I could make a tuner and have the wires connected to that first then to the radio? Thanks. 73 Before you start building indoor antennas, try putting at least 10-ft of fine wire (#30 enameled magnet wire) out through a second story window or higher. You can put a small weight like a washer on the end to make the wire hang down the side of the building (not really necessary) but make sure the weight doesn't hit any window below. No one is likely to see this 'invisible' antenna wire unless they're looking for it. Connect the other end of the wire to the whip antenna on your portable. Be sure to remove some of the enameled insulation (using sand paper) to expose the bare copper wire where it connects to the whip. -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
#6
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starman wrote:
Before you start building indoor antennas, try putting at least 10-ft of fine wire (#30 enameled magnet wire) out through a second story window or higher. You can put a small weight like a washer on the end to make the wire hang down the side of the building (not really necessary) but make sure the weight doesn't hit any window below. No one is likely to see this 'invisible' antenna wire unless they're looking for it. Connect the other end of the wire to the whip antenna on your portable. Be sure to remove some of the enameled insulation (using sand paper) to expose the bare copper wire where it connects to the whip. -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- I have found that I get better results wrapping the insulated wire around the whip of my receiver (only in about a 2-3 turn coil) than attaching it directly with an alligator clip, it seems to me there is less noise this way. Another thing, I grounded the wire to a copper pipe where it comes into the house. I don't know if this does anything, but I read somewhere that this was advisable so it removes static electricity that can build up in the wire. |
#7
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I want to build a out-door antenna.
Your idea is great, but where could I find that type of wire? I am sure Radio Shack doesn't carry it. All of there wires are shield. 73 "starman" wrote in message ... S R wrote: I want to build an antenna for my shortwave radio. I live in an apartment. So it would have to be something I could put near the window. No longer then 3 feet. My idea is having 2 wires in a coil. Wrapped around PVC tubing on each end. It would look like the letter T. ( I am not sure which size of tubing to use). I am not sure how many feet of wire. Which type of wire. Should the wire be shield or not shield. If not shield, then when I wrap the wire, can it touch itself in the turn or must it be spaced apart? Then comes the end of the two wires. What do I use to solder to then plug into my portable radio? And is their a way I could make a tuner and have the wires connected to that first then to the radio? Thanks. 73 Before you start building indoor antennas, try putting at least 10-ft of fine wire (#30 enameled magnet wire) out through a second story window or higher. You can put a small weight like a washer on the end to make the wire hang down the side of the building (not really necessary) but make sure the weight doesn't hit any window below. No one is likely to see this 'invisible' antenna wire unless they're looking for it. Connect the other end of the wire to the whip antenna on your portable. Be sure to remove some of the enameled insulation (using sand paper) to expose the bare copper wire where it connects to the whip. -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
#8
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Where could I find Mini-Slinkys?
"RHF" wrote in message om... SR, Consider a simple-to-make Dual Slinky Dipole Antenna using two "Mini-Slinkys" Stretched-Out Horizontally; that is fed with 300 Ohm "TV" Twin Lead and connected to your Radio via the HI-Z (500 Ohm) Terminals. . NOTE: If you are using a 'portable' Shortwave Radio that uses an 1/8" Mono-Plug for an External Antenna Input. Then use a "300 to 75 Ohm 1/8" Mini-Plug Adapter" between the Antenna and the Radio. The 1/8" Mini-Plug Adapter to functions as an interface (Matching Transformer) for External SWL Antenna Signal to any 'portable' Radio that uses 1/8" Mono-Jack Input. The Twin Lead is connected to the two 300 Ohm Screw Terminals and the 1/8" Mono-Plug is plugged into the Radio. RadioShack Catalog #: 15-1148 R/S-CAT= http://tinyurl.com/2k2eu . The '99 Cent' Slinky - For "Slinky" Antenna Experminters http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/852 Two Metal Springy Thingys {AKA} Slinky Junior and Mini-Slinky . Simple and basic Vertical "SLINKY" Antenna & Tuner {All-in-One} http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/851 . The SLINKY on a "Hula Hoop" Loop Antenna http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/858 . About using a "SLINKY" as an Antenna - by John Doty http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/850 . . REMEMBER: "The AM/MW and Shortwave Antenna is 55.5% . . . of the Radio/Receiver and Antenna/Ground Reception Equation" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/288 A Shortwave Antenna is "Equally" Important for Good Reception [.] . . iane ~ RHF . Some Say: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/502 I BELIEVE: On A Clear Night... You Can Hear Forever and Beyond - The Beyond ! . . = = = "S R" wrote in message = = = ... I want to build an antenna for my shortwave radio. I live in an apartment. So it would have to be something I could put near the window. No longer then 3 feet. My idea is having 2 wires in a coil. Wrapped around PVC tubing on each end. It would look like the letter T. ( I am not sure which size of tubing to use). I am not sure how many feet of wire. Which type of wire. Should the wire be shield or not shield. If not shield, then when I wrap the wire, can it touch itself in the turn or must it be spaced apart? Then comes the end of the two wires. What do I use to solder to then plug into my portable radio? And is their a way I could make a tuner and have the wires connected to that first then to the radio? Thanks. 73 . |
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