what size antenna?
 

I purchased the Sony ICF-7600GR and should get it in a few weeks.

I was also looking at scanners that can "hear" above 30MHz. This
particular one goes up to 3GHz. It's the portable AOR AR-8200 MKIII B.

My question is, since I am new to all this, what frequencies does the
default antenna that comes with the unit allow me to get? And do I need
to buy other antennas to get other frequencies? How many antennas will
I need to get all frequencies? Is this a huge cost?

Since it's a portable unit, I am assuming I don't need one of those
huge antennas that you see at some peoples houses sticking out of their
backyard 300ft high (obviously no HOA [home owners association] there.)

--
Thanks in advance,
clu

what size antenna?
 

On 21 Oct 2005 15:16:53 -0700, "clu" wrote:

I purchased the Sony ICF-7600GR and should get it in a few weeks.

I was also looking at scanners that can "hear" above 30MHz. This
particular one goes up to 3GHz. It's the portable AOR AR-8200 MKIII B.

My question is, since I am new to all this, what frequencies does the
default antenna that comes with the unit allow me to get? And do I need
to buy other antennas to get other frequencies? How many antennas will
I need to get all frequencies? Is this a huge cost?

Since it's a portable unit, I am assuming I don't need one of those
huge antennas that you see at some peoples houses sticking out of their
backyard 300ft high (obviously no HOA [home owners association] there.)
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...ants/1205.html

what size antenna?
 

Clu:

Heres a picture of my antenna out back . . .

This is what you need..

http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx...age/index.html

Anything else will be totally Inadequate..



ACTUALLY . . .

a regular 30 foot peice of wire. placed far away from electric lines &
equipment
will do wonders for weaker stations..

what size antenna?
 

$69 Radio Shack Discone Antenna

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...ct%5Fid=20-043

If you're going to be listening to several different bands, I would get an
antenna switcher and run several different antennas if for no other reason
than to see which antenna will best suit your needs. I would be tempted to
run more than one antenna unless you are going to be listening to one band.

Why is it going to take a month to receive your radio?

By the way... How good your antenna is, is directly proportionate to the
number of neighbors you have complaining. Top notch antennas usually draw
complaints from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). To keep them off
of your back, try painting your antenna towers in alternating red and white
bands, placing red flashing lights up the towers for every 100 feet in
height, with a flashing white strobe at the very top.

For something simple, ask your neighbors if you can string a thousand feet
of antenna wire between your house and theirs.

Oh! You like cats?
So do I... Wanna exchange recipes?

what size antenna?
 

Those antennas seem to be for house-mounting desktop radios. I am
interested in one of those hand-sized portable radio. It would be
difficult to walk around with the hand scanner if there is an umbrella
like contraption attached to it.

P.S. the Sony ICF-7600GR will come in a few weeks from amazon.com. It
takes that long when you select the "free shipping" option. Since I am
new to this, I wasn't wise enough to make a purchase through an outfit
that actually supports this hobby. In the future, I will.

--
clu

what size antenna?
 

On Mon, 24 Oct 2005 22:45:24 GMT, "-=jd=-"
wrote:


On Mon 24 Oct 2005 05:15:56p, "clu" wrote in message
oups.com:

Those antennas seem to be for house-mounting desktop radios. I am
interested in one of those hand-sized portable radio. It would be
difficult to walk around with the hand scanner if there is an umbrella
like contraption attached to it.
You may want a couple black ''clip leads'' (those wires with alligator
clips on the end). My walkaround radio (Sangean ATS-606A) is
adequately sensitive with its built-in whip antenna. In a hotel room,
I might use the alligator clips to double the antenna length. Too
much antenna and you'll force the RF circuits off the linear portions
of their curves.

what size antenna?
 

This is probably a dumb question, but if I run a wire around the
perimeter of my house along the eaves so that it is as high as I can
put it, is that dangerous with regard to lightning?

--
clu

what size antenna?
 

CLU,

No more than a wet roof, metal rain gutters and down spouts;
plus any metal vent pipes sticking out/above the roof for
your plumbing.

iane ~ RHF

what size antenna?
 

On Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:04:11 GMT, "-=jd=-"
wrote:


On Mon 24 Oct 2005 08:54:42p, "clu" wrote in message
roups.com:

This is probably a dumb question, but if I run a wire around the
perimeter of my house along the eaves so that it is as high as I can
put it, is that dangerous with regard to lightning?

--
clu


Repeat after me:
We always disconnect external antennas from radios when we are not listening
to them, and especially when thunder storms are in the forecast.

Static can build-up in the wire from different sources. It's also a good
argument for having a transformer (at least 1:1) in your feed line that
provides a direct path to ground, in addition to your lightning arrester.

It can also be influenced by your tolerance for risk. If you don't like
rolling dice, then lightning protection, a transformer with a direct path to
ground and diligently disconnecting the feed line are all advisable.

-=jd=-
Where does one find such a transformer? Why does it need to be at
least 1:1? What does that mean?

I use a Palomar MLB-1. A 9:1 autotransformer which provides
sufficient impedance reduction to facilitate the use of Coaxial cable.

what size antenna?
 

David wrote:

On Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:04:11 GMT, "-=jd=-"
wrote:


On Mon 24 Oct 2005 08:54:42p, "clu" wrote in message
roups.com:

This is probably a dumb question, but if I run a wire around the
perimeter of my house along the eaves so that it is as high as I can
put it, is that dangerous with regard to lightning?

--
clu


Repeat after me:
We always disconnect external antennas from radios when we are not listening
to them, and especially when thunder storms are in the forecast.

Static can build-up in the wire from different sources. It's also a good
argument for having a transformer (at least 1:1) in your feed line that
provides a direct path to ground, in addition to your lightning arrester.

It can also be influenced by your tolerance for risk. If you don't like
rolling dice, then lightning protection, a transformer with a direct path to
ground and diligently disconnecting the feed line are all advisable.

-=jd=-
Where does one find such a transformer? Why does it need to be at
least 1:1? What does that mean?

Where have you been?

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/antsup.html

Others available elsewhere, do a Google on 1:1 balun.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

what size antenna?
 

On Tue, 25 Oct 2005 19:31:13 -0400, dxAce
wrote:



-=jd=-
Where does one find such a transformer? Why does it need to be at
least 1:1? What does that mean?

Where have you been?

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/antsup.html

Others available elsewhere, do a Google on 1:1 balun.

dxAce
Michigan
USA


The 1:1 is for matching a narrowband dipole to a coaxial cable. The
whole point of it is to keep both poles of the dipole ungrounded.. I
don't see how it is relevant.

Antennas and Grounds : Do It Step-by-Step !
 

JD,

Antennas and Grounds : Do It Step-by-Step !
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/6009

Some sort of Matching Transformer at the junction of the Wire Antenna
Element and the Coax Cable Feed-in-Line is a good First-Step.

Mounting this Matching Transformer directly to the Top of a
Ground Rod is a good Second-Step.

The placing the Coax Cable on the ground or burying it
under the ground is a good Third-Step.

Finally using a 1:1 "Isolation" Matching Transformer {Coax-to-Coax}
that uses a common Ground and that is itself Grounded; where the
Coax Cable leaves the Ground and enters the House is a very good
Fourth-Step.

Plus don't forget the Shack's Own Ground System 'bonded' to the
House's Electrical System. [ STEP-ON-IT ! ]

antennas and grounds : do it step-by-step - iane ~ RHF
.
..
Tous Sont Bienvenus ! - - - Groupe par Radio
d'auditeur d'onde courte pour des Antennes de SWL
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
Alle Sind Willkommen ! - - - Shortwave Radiozuhörer
Gruppe für SWL Antennen
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
Tutti Sono Benvenuti ! - - - Gruppo Radiofonico
dell'ascoltatore di onda corta per le Antenne di SWL
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
Todos São Bem-vindos ! - - - Grupo de Rádio
do ouvinte do Shortwave para Antenas de SWL
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
Ð’Ñ�е Ð*адушны ! - - - Группа оператора
на приеме коротковолнового диапазона
Radio дл� Aнтенн SWL
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
¡Todos Son Agradables! - - - Grupo de Radio
del oyente de la onda corta para las Antenas de SWL
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
.
.. .

what size antenna?
 

On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 05:14:52 -0400, dxAce
wrote:



David wrote:

On Tue, 25 Oct 2005 19:31:13 -0400, dxAce
wrote:



-=jd=-
Where does one find such a transformer? Why does it need to be at
least 1:1? What does that mean?

Where have you been?

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/antsup.html

Others available elsewhere, do a Google on 1:1 balun.

dxAce
Michigan
USA


The 1:1 is for matching a narrowband dipole to a coaxial cable. The
whole point of it is to keep both poles of the dipole ungrounded.. I
don't see how it is relevant.

You didn't ask why it was relevant, 'tard... you asked where you could find one,
etc.

Go crawl back up your box canyon, you stupid stem, and stop being such a pest.

dxAce
Michigan
USA


No I didn't. Not unless JD is one of your MPD manifestations.

what size antenna?
 

David wrote:

On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 05:14:52 -0400, dxAce
wrote:



David wrote:

On Tue, 25 Oct 2005 19:31:13 -0400, dxAce
wrote:



-=jd=-
Where does one find such a transformer? Why does it need to be at
least 1:1? What does that mean?

Where have you been?

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/antsup.html

Others available elsewhere, do a Google on 1:1 balun.

dxAce
Michigan
USA


The 1:1 is for matching a narrowband dipole to a coaxial cable. The
whole point of it is to keep both poles of the dipole ungrounded.. I
don't see how it is relevant.

You didn't ask why it was relevant, 'tard... you asked where you could find one,
etc.

Go crawl back up your box canyon, you stupid stem, and stop being such a pest.

dxAce
Michigan
USA


No I didn't. Not unless JD is one of your MPD manifestations.

Stuff a sock in it, you pesky little nutcase.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

what size antenna?
 

-=jd=- wrote:

On Tue 25 Oct 2005 09:31:33p, clu wrote in message
:


Since you mentioned coaxial cable ... can I use the cable TV coaxial
cable coming into my house for broadband/TV as an antenna to my
shortwave radio?


It may or may not offer any improvement. I doubt it would hurt anything to
try, if only to satisfy curiosity. If you do try it, be sure and advise your
results.

Thank you for the "best practices" knowledge about disconnectig an
external antenna from the radio when not in use.

You said it's a good argument for having a transformer (at least 1:1) in
your feed line ... is a "feed line" the wire that acts as an antenna?
What would the diagram look like to attach a direct path to ground?


Look here for some good info:
http://members.aol.com/DXerCapeCod/z_transformers.pdf
http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx...lab/index.html

Someone else mentioned an antenna wire around the perimeter of my house
would most likely blow up the portable radio (either Sony ICF-7600GR or
AOR 8200 MKIII B). Any truth to that?


It won't blow-up your radio, but it could overload the front-end and possibly
damage it. You can make a home-made attenuator around a 10kOhm pot to deal
with overload. Here's a link to the basic idea:

http://www.radiohc.org/Distributions/Dxers/zipten.html

I don't know what a lghtning arrester is, but I can easily look it up,
thanks.

You mentioned you wrap your own transformers. I think that's neat. I'm
not an electronics guy, but I am eager to learn. Do you just take a ton
of thin copper wire and wrap it around a spool a billion times?


The hardest part is finding the toroids. After that, it just takes a few feet
of wire. Well, plus an enclosure of some type (PVC is cheap), and either
binding posts and/or coax connectors. See the transformer links above...

Here is a link to a newer John Bryant transformer article:

http://www.dxing.info/equipment/impe...ing_bryant.pdf

And here is a link to a review of a transformer I used to make based on the
earlier Bryant article:

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/xfmr.htm

dxAce
Michigan
USA

Antennas and Grounds : Do It Step-by-Step !
 

And give up the Fun of "Cutting" the Coax Cable everytime
you cut the Grass :o)

One of the main things here is for those individuals who
disconnect their Coax Cable at the Antenna when not in-use.

If the Coax Cable is in the Air with the end disconnected
from the Antenna then the Coax Cable will itself become a
Lightning Attractor in a Storm.

Burying the Coax Cable just helps to reduce the Chances of
it becoming an Attractor.

DUH ! - Don't Bury the Coax Cable alone-side
the Under Ground Utilities - It Ain't Smart !


iane ~ RHF

Antennas and Grounds : Do It Step-by-Step !
 

Lawnmower season is over,as far as I am concerned anyway.
cuhulin