"Stephen M.H. Lawrence" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Ian Smith" wrote:

| Thanks for that, Steve. Great catch, Greece on AM. You may be
| interested to know that, in the 80's/early 90's (in Scotland),
caught
| quite a few AM stations from the US, Canada, and South America.
| Remember (gleefully) counting a total of 120 for US/Canada, though
my
| efforts were by no means exceptional. The strongest ones were from
the
| east coast, but managed a few further west, including KMOX
St.Louis
| (1120). Don't think I managed Minnesota, but may give the whole
thing
| a try again this winter. Used to have an amplified loop with
positive
| feedback. Was able to peak weak carriers right out in front of
strong
| ones. Need to rebuild that loop again.

I don't know how much space you've got, Ian (I live in an apartment,
myself), but I would highly recommend a large - aperture loop
antenna.
I have a couple of the NRC publications, and would be glad to share
them with you. In my experience, most of the amplification schemes
I've used introduced quite a bit of noise into the signal, so that
was a
setback.

Unfortunately, I too live in an apartment ("flat"), so big
antennae are not practical. However, that loop I intend to rebuild was
1 metre (39.37") across; not too small. Still have the electronics for
it; low-gain differential matching amp, ferrite rod for feedback
injection into loop centre, plus a few bits and pieces. The loop was
very good by itself, without the amp. But after adding +ve feedback,
effect was startling. Didn't notice much, if any, additional noise
either.
Anyway, very much appreciate the offer of those NRC books. May
take you up on that if I get around to more experimental building.
Also once built shortwave tuned magnetic loop from copper pipe.
Worked quite well. Sensitivity not great, but electrical noise much
lower.
I yearn to have those days back when there seemed to be much more
spare time than now!


| Some people occasionally go on a "DX-pedition" to the
north-west
| coast of Scotland, at Sheigra. Chosen for its isolation from the
| electrical grid and good locale for the setup of MW beverage
antennae.
| They get quite a number of great results -
|
| http://www.users.waitrose.com/~bdxc/articles.html

I have that site bookmarked, and can only say that I am looking
forward
to my next trip back to Nebraska (In Spring, perhaps) to try my hand
at
using beverage antennas (as opposed to using beverages; that's
another
story and requires extensive refrigeration!).

| Looks like KFAN 1130 Minnesota might be a good one to go for!

You know, Ian, I've been cooking up a scheme, maybe getting on #SWL
or another Instant Messaging program, and using that for
communicating
DX catches. Such a thing is also really useful for comparing
"catches." I
remember fondly chatting in ICQ with Alf Ardal, a DXer in Norway
with
a respectable beverage or two (or three), and verifying that he was,
indeed,
hearing 1620 from Omaha (another sports talk outlet). KFAN is
actually
a bit of a pest - I live about 3 miles from the transmitter site,
and if
you'd
like, I can send some pics of the antenna system. It's located in a
bog
along the Minnesota River, East of Shakopee, Minnesota.

3 miles from the TX. That's got to hurt a bit! Please do send a
couple of those pictures. Would be interesting. Just remove 'naespam'
from my address.

Your idea for a DX catch news channel is quite interesting. I
wonder if an email list would suffice? I am (slowly) working on my own
personal website, covering a plethora of subjects. Wonder if there's
room in there for a DX bulletin board? Currently "studying" (messing
around with) web programming, so could be possible.


| Of course, you have the advantage of not having to stay up as
late
| as I have, to get the trans-Atlantic DX. On the other hand, we get
to
| enjoy the "great" climate here. Well, at least it doesn't go "30
| below" like over there. That would bother even a hardened
Scotsman.
| :-)

Snow builds character. Actually, I've camped in blizzards. When I
relate that story to my wife, she rolls her eyes and gives me "the
look."

Let me know if you'd like a copy of my NRC books - I've used them as
far as I can at present.


Thanks for the book offer. Much appreciated kind offer, since you
hardly know me. Will let you know if I need them.





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