Attn Sony ICF-SW77 Users - Which Indoor Portable Antenna?
 

I'm picking up a Sony ICF-SW77 soon and now have to decide on an antenna.
I'm hoping other owners can offer some useful insights. Of course, a nice,
big, outside antenna would be nice, but this receiver is for travel. With
that in mind, what is a good indoor, compact, portable antenna?

Why does Sony not recommend using the AN-LP1 with this portable? The only
thing I can think of is potential overloading from the antenna's pre-amp.

Thanks for any assistance offered.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

I use the AN-LP1 with my SW77 with no problems.

I've heard lots of stuff about the SW77 + LP1. I've heard that the
early SW77's had shielding issues that were rectified when it was
revised a few years ago. I've also heard that the LP1 was revised a
few years ago with a electrical noise filter that is supposed to be in
the long piece of plastic that plugs into the antenna. I would think
that, if any of these changes were indeed made, that the SW77
documentation would have been updated by now. Who knows...

Whatever the case, PWBR states they have had no problems with the SW77
+ LP1.

"Dwight Stewart" wrote in message link.net...
I'm picking up a Sony ICF-SW77 soon and now have to decide on an antenna.
I'm hoping other owners can offer some useful insights. Of course, a nice,
big, outside antenna would be nice, but this receiver is for travel. With
that in mind, what is a good indoor, compact, portable antenna?

Why does Sony not recommend using the AN-LP1 with this portable? The only
thing I can think of is potential overloading from the antenna's pre-amp.

Thanks for any assistance offered.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

DS,

The simplest and the easiest 'portable' Shortwave Antenna
to use with most 'portable' AM/FM and Shortwave Radios is
one of those 23 Foot Roll-Up Antennas.
[ Small - Compact - Portable - No Batteries Required :o]

* Plug-It-In to the Radio's External Antenna 1/8" Jack.

* Snap-It-On to the Radio's Whip Antenna.

Here is one example using the SANGEAN Brand Name
(also RadioShack, Grundig, and 'no name' models)
Sangean ANT-60: The Sangean ANT-60 improves the reception of
any portable shortwave receiver. Outperforms the Radio's
built-in Telescopic (Whip) Antennas !
http://usa.shortwavestore.com/sangean-ant60.html#order
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/3184.html

Portable Shortwave Antenna
RadioShack Catalog #: 278-1374
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...%5Fid=278-1374

iane ~ RHF
..
..
= = = "Dwight Stewart" wrote in message
= = = link.net...
I'm picking up a Sony ICF-SW77 soon and now have to decide on an antenna.
I'm hoping other owners can offer some useful insights. Of course, a nice,
big, outside antenna would be nice, but this receiver is for travel. With
that in mind, what is a good indoor, compact, portable antenna?

Why does Sony not recommend using the AN-LP1 with this portable? The only
thing I can think of is potential overloading from the antenna's pre-amp.

Thanks for any assistance offered.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

..

"mike0219116" wrote:

"Dwight Stewart" wrote:
I'm picking up a Sony ICF-SW77 soon and
now have to decide on an antenna. I'm hoping
other owners can offer some useful insights.
Of course, a nice, big, outside antenna would
be nice, but this receiver is for travel. With that
in mind, what is a good indoor, compact,
portable antenna?

Why does Sony not recommend using the
AN-LP1 with this portable? The only thing I
can think of is potential overloading from the
antenna's pre-amp.


I use the AN-LP1 with my SW77 with no problems.

I've heard lots of stuff about the SW77 + LP1. I've
heard that the early SW77's had shielding issues that
were rectified when it was revised a few years ago.
I've also heard that the LP1 was revised a few years
ago with a electrical noise filter that is supposed to
be in the long piece of plastic that plugs into the
antenna. I would think that, if any of these changes
were indeed made, that the SW77 documentation
would have been updated by now. Who knows...


Interesting. To be honest, I didn't see the recommendation against using
this antenna with the ICF-SW77 in the actual Sony documentation (don't have
it yet). Instead, it was included at the bottom of the product description
on the Universal Radio website...

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/3676.html

I've seen other users (on web sites and so on) also talking about using
this antenna with that radio, so perhaps Universal is simply wrong. I'll
contact them for an explination.

Thanks for the feedback, Mike.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

"RHF" wrote:

"Dwight Stewart" wrote:

I'm picking up a Sony ICF-SW77 soon
and now have to decide on an antenna.
I'm hoping other owners can offer some
useful insights. Of course, a nice, big,
outside antenna would be nice, but this
receiver is for travel. With that in mind,
what is a good indoor, compact,
portable antenna? (snip)


The simplest and the easiest 'portable'
Shortwave Antenna to use with most
'portable' AM/FM and Shortwave Radios
is one of those 23 Foot Roll-Up Antennas.


I'm already using the Sangean ANT-60 with my existing portable, along with
an old Radio Shack pre-selector/pre-amp. It works fairly well, but I'm
fishing for other possible options. Yes, I realise that should have
mentioned that in the original message and I apologize for not doing so.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

DS,

Take a look at the Kiwa Pocket Loop Antenna covers both AM/MW
and most of the Shortwave Bands. The tuning range is from
530 kHz to 23 MHz in Four Bands using a battery powered Low
Noise Amplifier. Requires one 9 Volt Alkaline Battery for power.
The Kiwa Pocket Loop Antenna is very small and 'portable'.
KPLA= http://www.kiwa.com/pktloop.html
Cost: A little pricy at $200.

NOTE: If the Kiwa Pocket Loop Antenna still will not give you
all the stations that you want then consider adding on the "PRM"
Pocket Regeneration Module { "Q" Multiplier } for the Extra Gain
and Selectivity.

FWIW: The Kiwa Pocket Loop Antenna works well with my Sony ICF-2010.

~ RHF
..
..
= = = "Dwight Stewart" wrote in message
= = = ink.net...
"RHF" wrote:

"Dwight Stewart" wrote:

I'm picking up a Sony ICF-SW77 soon
and now have to decide on an antenna.
I'm hoping other owners can offer some
useful insights. Of course, a nice, big,
outside antenna would be nice, but this
receiver is for travel. With that in mind,
what is a good indoor, compact,
portable antenna? (snip)


The simplest and the easiest 'portable'
Shortwave Antenna to use with most
'portable' AM/FM and Shortwave Radios
is one of those 23 Foot Roll-Up Antennas.


I'm already using the Sangean ANT-60 with my existing portable, along with
an old Radio Shack pre-selector/pre-amp. It works fairly well, but I'm
fishing for other possible options. Yes, I realise that should have
mentioned that in the original message and I apologize for not doing so.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

"RHF" wrote:

Take a look at the Kiwa Pocket Loop
Antenna covers both AM/MW and
most of the Shortwave Bands. The
tuning range is from 530 kHz to 23
MHz in Four Bands using a battery
powered Low Noise Amplifier.
Requires one 9 Volt Alkaline Battery
for power. The Kiwa Pocket Loop
Antenna is very small and 'portable'.
KPLA= http://www.kiwa.com/pktloop.html
Cost: A little pricy at $200. (snip)


That antenna is indeed interesting. Thanks for pointing it out. However,
you're right to say the $200 is a little pricy. At that price, that antenna
had better pull in stations that aren't even transmitting at the moment.
;-)

But, since they have a 30-day trial guarantee, I may consider it. But I
have to weigh whether I need that level of performance in a hotel room.
Something simplier, and cheaper, would obviously be a more sensible way to
go.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

"Dwight Stewart" wrote:

I've seen other users (on web sites
and so on) also talking about using
this antenna with that radio, so perhaps
Universal is simply wrong. I'll contact
them for an explination.


Well, I contacted Universal to ask why the AN-LP1 is not recommended for
the ICF-SW77. Their response was "it is listed as such in the users manual."
In fact, those exact words are all they said - no elaboration or details of
any kind (not even which manual they're talking about). As a result, I'm
left with my original suspicion - potential overloading from the antenna's
pre-amp (an issue mentioned on the Radio Neitherlands web site in their
review of this antenna).


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

I have two Sony AN-LP1 antennas, six or seven Sangean and Radio Shack
windup antennas, an MFJ 1020 and 1020B, and the Radio Shack active
antenna/preselector (all for SW), and a Select-A-Tenna and a Justice
AM Antenna (for MW) so I have quite a bit of experience with
indoor/travel antennas. I presume you want a travel antenna for SW.
The very best (by far) for travel that I have found is the AOR WL500
Active Window Loop antenna. It works much better than the "number 2"
which is the AN-LP1. However, it is not quite as convenient to break
down and travel with and it is much more expensive. However, if top
performance is your objective, I feel that is the way to go.

Lawrence

P.S. Take the ANT-60 along with you when you travel for use outdoors
as the WL500 (and the AN-LP1) should not be used there; the wind whips
them around and can stress their connections.

"Dwight Stewart" wrote in message ink.net...
"RHF" wrote:

"Dwight Stewart" wrote:

I'm picking up a Sony ICF-SW77 soon
and now have to decide on an antenna.
I'm hoping other owners can offer some
useful insights. Of course, a nice, big,
outside antenna would be nice, but this
receiver is for travel. With that in mind,
what is a good indoor, compact,
portable antenna?

I'm already using the Sangean ANT-60 with my existing portable, along with
an old Radio Shack pre-selector/pre-amp. It works fairly well, but I'm
fishing for other possible options. Yes, I realise that should have
mentioned that in the original message and I apologize for not doing so.

"Lawrence H. Bulk" wrote:
I have two Sony AN-LP1 antennas,
six or seven Sangean and Radio Shack
windup antennas, an MFJ 1020 and
1020B, and the Radio Shack active
antenna/preselector (all for SW), and
a Select-A-Tenna and a Justice AM
Antenna (for MW) so I have quite a
bit of experience with indoor/travel
antennas. I presume you want a travel
antenna for SW. The very best (by far)
for travel that I have found is the AOR
WL500 Active Window Loop
antenna. (snip)


Well, if I want an good antenna, it looks like I'll have to consider those
in the $200 price range. The AOR WL500 is the second antenna mentioned in
that price range. By the way, I noticed you have an MFJ-1020B. Have you
tried a simple long-wire antenna (in other words, a straight piece of wire)
with it? If so, how does that stack up to the other options you listed? The
1020C is available now and I have considered it as a possible solution.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/