Peter wrote:

My backyard is limited in length. The lot is 86 feet long. My question is,
how long a wire should I use to have a good shortwave antenna that will fit
in my yard. I know optimum is around 100 feet but I can't accommodate that
length. If it passes over the house does it matter how much space there is
between the wire and the roof of the house?

Pierre




Can you bend it so you can get more length if you need it. Hieght
matters but mine works well at about 17 feet about the ground.
Have a look under antennas at the AMANDX site below. Some of the info
could be usefull

--
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

I can bend it a bit. I am using the Drake R8B radio.

Is 12 inches above the roof of the house enough to be away from
interference?


Pierre
"The Axelrods" wrote in message
...


Peter wrote:

My backyard is limited in length. The lot is 86 feet long. My question
is,
how long a wire should I use to have a good shortwave antenna that will
fit
in my yard. I know optimum is around 100 feet but I can't accommodate
that
length. If it passes over the house does it matter how much space there
is
between the wire and the roof of the house?

Pierre




Can you bend it so you can get more length if you need it. Hieght
matters but mine works well at about 17 feet about the ground.
Have a look under antennas at the AMANDX site below. Some of the info
could be usefull

--
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

Peter wrote:
I can bend it a bit. I am using the Drake R8B radio.

Is 12 inches above the roof of the house enough to be away from
interference?

Probably not. Unless your house is unusually free of
electrical/electronic gadgets, above the house is bad.