Hi ShortwaveMan,

Sorry for the delayed reply; I don't go on the internet everyday. The
loop is made of aluminum and is about 3-feet in diameter. The antenna
interface and power supply is located somewhere conveniently near your
receiver. You can see pictures of the unit on the website.

The antenna does not feature exceptional gain; that is not its design
goal. What it DOES do (and EXTREMELY well) is to lower atmospheric and
local electrical noise relative to the signal. In other words, this
antenna greatly augments the signal-to-noise ratio of the short wave
signal. If it is there, you will be able to hear it. If one is in an
electrically quiet area, a long wire will do as well or better in the
winter, though not necessarily in the summer. However, in your
circumstances, it may be your best choice.

Of course, we have to be practical in today's world and there is no
denying that it is a costly piece of equipment (though you only have to
buy it once; you will probably change radios many times if you stay in
this hobby long enough).

Check it out. (That costs you nothing!)

Best,

Joe

ShortwaveMan wrote:
Thanks Joe. Can you give me any idea of how it is constructed ? The
US West
Coast does not enjoy as good reception as other areas of the world
s, so
it is a bit of a challenge. Thanks again.


"Joe Analssandrini" wrote in message
oups.com...
Dear ShortwaveMan,

I don't know what your apartment is like or what you are prepared
to
do, but I had a similar problem. As a matter of fact, last year I
was
quite desperate. I live in a small townhouse and the community is a
source of EXTREME local electrical noise, what with Christmas
lights,
computers, often-defective LP Sodium and Mercury Arc-vapor street
lights, and high-tension lines not a quarter mile away. You can
imagine
what all of the above did to my SW listening. I won't go into the
various "fixes" I tried over the years (they have been "posted" on
this
site and elsewhere), but I FINALLY found the one! It is the
Wellbrook
ALA 330S Active Loop Antenna.

You can investigate it he

http://www.wellbrook.uk.com/

Note it is quite expensive (probably around $400 now, due to the
poor
dollar-to-pound ratio), somewhat convoluted to buy (I bought mine
from
THE SHORTWAVE SHOP in the UK, the only dealer which sells it. They
accept credit cards. You can buy from the factory, but only with a
check), and it's BIG - the loop is about 3-feet in diameter. I have
mine mounted in my attic, but mounting is not critical. It COULD be
mounted in your room (near a window) if your significant other is
broad-minded, outside mounted on a deck, if you have one, or some
other
"creative" place,

This antenna is positively FANTASTIC. It dramatically lowers both
atmospheric AND local electrical noise. In other words, it greatly
increases the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal you are trying to
hear.

An example: I live on the East Coast of the US, yet I have been
able to
regularly hear Radio Australia's 2200 - 2400 UTC broadcast on
21740
kHz. The signal comes in at only S4 - S7, but is perfectly clear
and
fully listenable.

At the very least, look it up on the web. I completely sympathize
with
your problem and I hope you are able to come up with a satisfactory
solution.

Best,

Joe