Hello, Chris.

Sunday June 03 2012 at 20:38, you wrote to All:

 CK> So, I'm thinking of stringing 50feet, from my window to a tree.
 CK> Now, would I need a ground too? There are many articles but no one has
 CK> said what works. I picked up an antenna book from the library and it
 CK> talks about cutting 4-5 different lengths to pick up different bands.
 CK> I just wanted to do the long wire in hopes of getting better
 CK> reception. I could use the jack in the radio but I'm worried about
 CK> harming it compared to just hooking to the whip. Perhaps it is all
 CK> just 'trial and error' but no more knowlege before hand the better.

You do NOT have to worry about a ground as you are only receiving.  If you
were transmitting, then you'd have to worry about an earth ground and an
electrical ground.

You do NOT have to "cut" a wire to a specific length.  Again, you are not
transmitting, so it doesn't matter how long or short the antenna is but as was
said earlier, longer is better.  Height can make the most difference also when
receiving.

Plug your new antenna into the external antenna connector, that's what it's
for.  Connecting your antenna to the whip is like walking when you could drive.

You're putting way, way too much thought into this, Chris.  Just throw a wire
out the window and plug it into your radio.  Your radio will do the rest. :)

73 DE KD5COL,
Sean

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