"Finch" wrote in message
...
I'm planning a long road trip in a couple of weeks. I planned on
driving primarily at night and I thought it would be interesting
to be able to listen to shortwave along the way.
So my idea is to take along my DX-390, sit it in my lap and twiddle the
knobs as I drive. I'll listen through an earpiece.

Anyway, the question is my antenna. I planned on taking a piece of
wire, maybe 8 feet long or so. I attach one end of it to the top of the
auto antenna that sticks out of the hood of my car and fasten it there
with a wire tie. I run it down the length of the antenna and fasten it
at the bottom with another wire tie. Run the remainder in through the
window and done.

So my questions a
1. Will this work?
2. Is a standard automotive antenna long enough. I can temperairly
lengthen it with a piece of stiff wire or something.
3. Is it better to attach it to the radio by clipping it onto the
telescoping antenna or the antenna input jack.

Thanks for your input.

Anytime I have tried something similar to this, the radiated noise p/u from
the vehicle has been horrible. Once that wire gets inside (remember, it is
an antenna through out its length) it picks up all the uprocessor stuff from
the car's electrical system. The very best solution I found was a homebrew
active whip- length was not at all critical- mine ended up 3' long. The whip
and Z converter/preamp were attached to a magnet mount on the roof and the
coax with multiplexed power led in through the window- reception from MW
through 6M was excellent. This was the only time I have been able to monitor
tropical band while mobile.


--
Dale W4OP
for PAR Electronics, Inc.