Hello Chris, and welcome

On Sat 2012-Jun-02 21:54, Chris Krascek (1:154/10) wrote to All:

CK> Okay all, have a question about long wire antennas. What is a safe
CK> length which will not load my radio down causing harm. I have a Sony
CK> portable. It does have an antenna jack but I would likely clip to
CK> top of existing antenna. In addition is there a certain
CK> configuration of antenna that would work best. Anyone have any
CK> experiance. I saw an article regarding the use of a 'UNUN' balin,
CK> wondering if this is needed.

I wouldn't worry about the unun for your application when
clipping to the existing whip antenna.  There are enough
compromises you'll be making just doing that to offset any
performance gains you might possibly get from the purchase
of the transformer, or the time spent winding your own.

I'd rethink that and try to use the external antenna
connections if possible.  But, chances are at a couple
hundred feet of wire just clipped to your telescoping whip
you're not going to harm performance.

One of your main factors is probably going to be with a
portable and an antenna wire clipped to that whip, or even
using the external antenna connection nearby strong signals
in the am broadcast band.  I'm assuming you're talking about the Sony ICF-2010
as your receiver.  I've used one a little
bit, a friend had it, and we used it when out camping, so
don't know how it performs when there's a nearby strong am
transmitter, but that could be a factor.

The Sony sw receivers are quite popular, but I'm not really
familiar.  YEt for shortwave listening i"m not all that
critical of such things, unless I plan to transmit on an
antenna usually I just throw something out there, and if it
doesn't work to my satisfaction try something different.
Often that' been just a loop of wire connected to the
antenna terminal of a receiver and either laid around the
edges of the room on the floor or hung near the ceiling.  IT also depends on
your interests a bit.  iF your main interest in sw broadcast listening you
probably don't need to be as
critical as you might if you're a ute chaser that wants to
catch those ships and planes, etcetera.

I hope you get soem other comments, especially from users of the Sony you've
got as they'll be able to give you more
specific pointers.



Regards,
           Richard
... Experience is directly proportional to ruined equipment. ---
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 * Origin:  (1:116/901)