= = = "Invader3K" wrote in message
= = = ...
Hi all. As I've posted previously, I live in a large dorm/apartment
building. I'm stuck here with my wife for the next three years or so.
Anyway, I have a Grundig YB-400PE. Recently I got the Sony AN-LP1 active
antenna, which has seemed to help a bit, but often times stations are still
unlistenable because of the large amount of RF noise in the building. If I
take the Grundig outside more than about 3 yards from the building, I get
crystal clear reception and stations from all over the place.

With winter coming, going outside isn't a great option. (I'm in
Wisconsin...brrrr...). Any suggestions on how I can reduce the effects of RF
noise? I have the radio and antenna in a window, and it is still very
noise-laden, especially on SW. AM is a little better, but not much. FM seems
ok...but I don't listen to much FM on this radio anyway.

Thanks in advance.


INVADER 3 K,

Since you have your Grundig Yacht Boy (YB) 400 PE Radio and the
Sony AN-LP1 Active Antenna to start with; try a few test first.

Your problem is two-fold the Building Frame is acting like an
RF Shield and the RFI/EMF of the Building is be Trapped and
Reflected within the Building. The Result is Low Signal Levels
and High Noise Levels.

"IF" (Big If) you can open your Windows and Remove the Screen:
Then 'buy/get' the following:
1 - Roll of Black Electrical Tape
1 - 25 Foot Piece of 1/8" or 3/16" Rope
1 - 10 Foot Piece of 1/2" or 3/4" PVC Pipe
1 - PVC Pipe "T" Joint same size as the Pipe

* Place (Glue) the "T" Joint on one end of the PVC Pipe.

* Tie one Rope end through the "T" Joint.

* Take the Loop Head of the Sony AN-LP1 Active Antenna and Plug it
into the Feed-in-Line Cable and 'tape' the Connection.

* Tape the Loop-Head to the "T" so that the Loop-Head is Hanging
Down and Perpendicular to the Length of the PVC Pipe.

* Tape the Feed-in-Line Cable and the Rope to the PVC Pipe
each Foot (12") to secure it and to act as a Distance Marker.

* Secure the other end of the Rope to a Table Leg or Chair.

* Plug the Sony AN-LP1 Controller into the Radio.

OUT THE WINDOW SIGNAL-TO-NOISE TESTING:

Start with the Sony AN-LP1 Loop-Head next to the Surface of
the Building and "Test" for Shortwave Reception on several of
the Shortwave Bands 'noting' (Writing Down) what can be Heard.

Move the Loop Head out One Foot from the Surface of the Building
and again "Test" for Shortwave Reception on several of the Shortwave
Bands 'noting' what can be Heard at this distance from the Building.

Move the Loop Head out Two Feet from the Surface of the Building
and again "Test" for Shortwave Reception on several of the Shortwave
Bands 'noting' what can be Heard at this distance from the Building.

Repeat this "Test" at: Two Feet from the Surface of the Building;
Three Feet from the Surface of the Building; Two Feet from the
Surface of the Building; Four Feet from the Surface of the
Building; Five Feet from the Surface of the Building; Six Feet
from the Surface of the Building; and Seven Feet from the Surface
of the Building. Record your Results at each Distance.

Now start pulling the Loop-Head back-in One Foot at a time and
again "Testing" your Reception at each Foot.

You should find that between three and five feet away from the
Surface of the Building; that your Reception Improves with
Higher Signal Levels and Lower Noise Levels. (You're outside
the RF 'envelop' of the Building.)

YOUR ANTENNA CHOICES A

* Placing the Loop-Head 'sticking-out' the Window when you are
Listening to Shortwave. You are already set-up to do so )

* Shooting an Antenna Wire Element from the Window to some
object (Tree etc) of another building. Use an small Insulated
Wire like Hook-Up Wire. RadioShack Catalog #: 278-1218

* Dropping a 'very thin' 30-50 Foot Antenna Wire Element from
the Window with a small Rubber Ball as a weight. Adjust the
Length of the Wire so that the Rubber Ball is between Floors
and not hitting any Windows. RadioShack Catalog # 278-502

TIP: Often the Metal Frames of Window use in newer Building are
Grounded. If for the last Six Feet (6') of your Antenna you use
a Piece of Audio Patch Cord with a 1/8" Mono-Plug at one end and
Tinned Leads at the other end. RadioShack Catalog # 42-2434
- Tie a Double Overhand Knot with the Antenna Wire and the Patch
Cord. http://www.iland.net/~jbritton/doubleoverhandknot.htm
- Then Solder the Antenna Wire Element to the Center Wire of
the Patch Cord.
- Next at about One Foot from this Knot 'strip' about Three
Inches of the Outer Cover from the Patch Cord to "Expose" the
BARE Shield-Wire.
- Run/Route the Antenna Wire Element and 'position' the Patch
Cord so that when the Window is Closed-Shut the BARE Shield-Wire
is 'pinched' between the Metal Parts of the Window.
- Plug the 1/8" Mono-Plug into the Radio's 1/8" Mono-Jack
External Antenna Input.

iane ~ RHF
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