HEllo Chris,

On Sun 2012-Jun-03 20:38, Chris Krascek (1:154/10) wrote to All:

CK> The shortwave radio I have is a Sony 7600GR. I appriciate the
CK> replies. So, I'm thinking of stringing 50feet, from my window to a
CK> tree. Now, would I need a ground too? There are many articles but no
CK> one has said what works. I picked up an antenna book from the
CK> library and it talks about cutting 4-5 different lengths to pick up
CK> different bands. I just wanted to do the long wire in hopes of
CK> getting better reception. I could use the jack in the radio but I'm
CK> worried about harming it compared to just hooking to the whip.
I wouldn't think for listening purposes you'd really need to worry about a
ground, but again, try it both ways.  I've
doen just random length longwires for receiving without
worrying about a ground over the years.  I'd still opt for
using the regular antenna connection over connecting to the
whip.  Remember that the whip is (as much as can be)
optimized for the radio standing alone, i.e. fully extended, etc.  You'll
probably get better performance from your
longwire connecting to the external antenna connection.

That's the beauty of shortwave listening, experimentation is low cost.  YOu
can always string that initial 50 foot wire
to a tree, and later on play with other antenna
configurations as the mood strikes, and have a base line to
compare with.  Since you're not transmitting and looking for reception on a
broad range of frequencies I wouldn't try to
delve too deeply at first, but that 50 foot long wire will
give you great improvements over the built-in whip antenna.

Just in case you weren't aware, remember that if/when you do decide to listen
to the am broadcast band using your
shortwave receiver usually those still default to the
ferrite loop am bc band antenna inside the radio, and not
the whip.  Often this is your default *over* the external
antenna as well.  Check your radio's docs if you're somewhat interested in am
bc band dxing as well.

I'll bet you the antenna book you got at the library was the arrl antenna
book.  Even if not, a lot of these can
overwhelm the beginner with info.  You'll find a  good deal
of improvement over your whip antenna just with the
longwire, especially if you connect it directly to the radio isntead of
clipped to the whip.  Termination, impedance
matching etc. isn't real critical for you in a receiver
application.  So long as you're not plagued by nearby strong signals you'll
imediately see benefits, and can then play
with ideas you get from those antenna references, etc.

CK> Perhaps it is all just 'trial and error' but no more knowlege before
CK> hand the better. 

Indeed it is, but it can overwhelm you.  In this case
though, jump in, get that wire out there, and if you find a
certain broadcaster or service really sparks your interest
then you can go seeking additional knowledge to enhance your reception of that
broadcaster or service, such as resonant
antennas for your frequency of interest, etc.  There's so
much to learn that it's easy to become overwhelmed, and not
do anything but pore over the books and decide that it
wasn't as much fun as you thought it would be.

SO, string that wire, hook it up, then if you find a
convenient point,  install the ground wire, see if received
signals improve, if not, disconnect it.

Antennas can be a lifelong pursuit for one too.  Debates
about the merits of this one or that one can become almost
theological .  Don't believe me, listen to a bunch of
hams gathered on the air or for coffee somewhere .

Welcome aboard, glad you wandered into the echo.  FEel free
to keep asking questions.  Don't let it surprise you if you
get contradictory answers for some of them, especially on
the topic of antennas.  Some guys agonize about terminating
everything properly and doing it all according to the books, even for
receiving.  me, for receive antennas only I'm about just getting something out
there, and find that just about
any random wire will improve over the antennas that the
manufacturer provides with a sw receiver.


Regards,
           Richard
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 * Origin:  (1:116/901)