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#1
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DIY antenna- which?
Hi,
I've finally purchased a fine desktop SW receiver, and I'd like to have a nice antenna to use with it as well. I've made a number of antennas for mediumwave, and I'd like to do the same for SW. I've read several descriptions found online and think I've settled on Arnie Coro's broomstick antenna or the 7m sloper just for a starter. Has anyone tried either of these? Or would you recommend something else for a good starter DIY antenna? My primary listening interests are Africa and the Pacific and I live in the midwestern US. Thanks, Michael Salmons salmonsm @ missouri . edu |
#2
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#3
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#4
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Michael Salmons wrote: Hi, I've finally purchased a fine desktop SW receiver, and I'd like to have a nice antenna to use with it as well. I've made a number of antennas for mediumwave, and I'd like to do the same for SW. I've read several descriptions found online and think I've settled on Arnie Coro's broomstick antenna or the 7m sloper just for a starter. Has anyone tried either of these? Or would you recommend something else for a good starter DIY antenna? My primary listening interests are Africa and the Pacific and I live in the midwestern US. Thanks, Michael Salmons salmonsm @ missouri . edu I've read the other responses to this post, and you've gotten good advice. If you want to start simple, spend .89¢ at any discount store for a hank of bell wire. One end to your antenna input, about 40' of it elevated as high as practical in your situation. If you have to go "around the room", that's OK too. You might be amazed how well you can do with just that (and note I am NOT saying that is a "great antenna" - it's rudimentary - but it is a very quick and inexpensive way to experiment with the concept). Also, try another 10' of the wire hooked to your ground terminal, and just trailing across the floor as a counterpoise. May help, may not. Later, read up n the suggested articles, and decide on a more sophisticated approach that appeals to you or would work well in your situation. Above all, have fun and keep logs! The logs will tell you (over time) how much improvement your "new and improved" antenna(s) are giving you - and you'll be constantly working to improve it, if you're like most of us. Tony ----== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 100,000 Newsgroups ---= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers - Total Privacy via Encryption =--- |
#5
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you guys have given me a lot of material to work with and,
consequently, a lot to think about. Thanks very much for the information and links you've provided. I'm going to go make a plan now! |
#6
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I agree ... cool advices.
and you can also try these links .... http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry/qsl-longwire.htm http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry/qsl-longwire2.htm http://www.tpub.com/neets/book10/42n.htm HTH Raqueeb Hassan Congo (DRC) |
#7
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MS,
Since you are not limited to an InDoor Antenna forget the BroomStick Antenna. READ: Short STACKED Vertical {Tri-Band} BroomStick Antenna http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/755 The 7M (21Ft) Sloper 'outside' Antenna would be the better choice of the two. FWIW: If you have 'space' for the 7M (21 Ft) Sloper; then consider trying an Inverted "L" Antenna instead. In the same space as a 7M (21 Ft) Sloper you could build an Inverted "L" Antenna 4-5M (13-16 Ft) High (Vertical); and 5-6M (16-20 Ft) Across (Horizontal). About 9-11M (29-36 Ft) Long and generally a more Omni-Directional and Lower Noise Antenna for SWLing. READ: Improving the 'basic' Long Wire Antenna with a Coax Lead-in-Line http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1024 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 ! .. .. = = = (Michael Salmons) wrote in message = = = . com... Hi, I've finally purchased a fine desktop SW receiver, and I'd like to have a nice antenna to use with it as well. I've made a number of antennas for mediumwave, and I'd like to do the same for SW. I've read several descriptions found online and think I've settled on Arnie Coro's broomstick antenna or the 7m sloper just for a starter. Has anyone tried either of these? Or would you recommend something else for a good starter DIY antenna? My primary listening interests are Africa and the Pacific and I live in the midwestern US. Thanks, Michael Salmons salmonsm @ missouri . edu .. |
#8
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If you have room outside, don't waste your time with the broomstick. It is a
comprimise antenna and shows it. "Michael Salmons" wrote in message om... Hi, I've finally purchased a fine desktop SW receiver, and I'd like to have a nice antenna to use with it as well. I've made a number of antennas for mediumwave, and I'd like to do the same for SW. I've read several descriptions found online and think I've settled on Arnie Coro's broomstick antenna or the 7m sloper just for a starter. Has anyone tried either of these? Or would you recommend something else for a good starter DIY antenna? My primary listening interests are Africa and the Pacific and I live in the midwestern US. Thanks, Michael Salmons salmonsm @ missouri . edu |
#9
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I have to agree with CW's assessment of the broomstick antenna. I've attempted
the broomstick antenna a thousand ways from Sunday (with capacitance hat, without, tuner, no tuner, larger stick, spaced windings, on and on) and it just doesn't perform as well as almost any decent length of wire you can get outside. My last attempt was a 6' long stick, tightly wound, with a 40' sloper atop it, and the sloper by itself was better than the entire configuration. Try the sloper idea first, assuming you have the room for it. Or, a simple random-length wire. Tree to tree, house to tree, house to ground, whatever you can manage. Use any kind of strong wire you have around, and if it's insulated, remove a bit of the sleeve at the end nearest your listening position. Attach another wire to the bared end of the aerial wire, wrap for strength, solder well for electrical contact, and bring the other end of this wire in to your receiver (with banana plug, alligator clip, or matching plug for your radio's external antenna jack). You can get a whole lot more complicated than that, but even this much will work better than the broomstick. Good luck- Linus |
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