gbr@mb2c.UUCP (Jerry Ruhno) (09/04/85)
Winter is not upon us yet but it will be here before we know it. While it is still warm outside I decided it is a good time to think about putting up an outside antenna. Are there any particular antennas that are good for SWL. Being new to SWL I am not sure what is best, but what I think I am looking for is some type of a trap antenna that will pick up the most frequently used bands. I have the new Sony 2010 and sometimes use a long wire strung up in my attic but really want something better. Can anyone point me in the right direction. Jerry Ruhno epsilon!mb2c!gbr
wmartin@Almsa-2 (Will Martin -- AMXAL-RI) (09/06/85)
Though the plain long-wire (or "inverted-L" or "random-wire") antenna
usually works best for general SWLing, there are others, like the trap
dipole you mentioned, that are better for the shortwave broadcast bands
or for certain physical facilities. There are quite a few ham-oriented
books on antennae, but for the SWL, they spend too much time and effort
on models that handle the power of a transmitter feeding through them.
For the cost of a couple overseas postcards, though, you can get some
info from a couple good sources:
The BBC's "Waveguide" program this week just discussed a new leaflet
they are printing called "Aerials", which is an introduction to the
subject. They also mentioned that their engineering staff has a separate
antenna-information booklet or handout. Ask for both of these by sending
a postcard to:
Waveguide
BBC World Service
Bush House
London, England (there is a postal code, but I don't know it; this
work OK as is)
Also, Radio Nederland has a lot of printed material on antennae, radios,
DXing, etc. Ask for their info on antennas, and also ask for the
Receiver Shopping List and the Publications List. Write to:
Media Network
Radio Nederland
PO Box 222
Hilversum, Holland (again, I think there is a postal code, but this will
do by itself, I'm sure, even if there is)
Myself, I've always used the simple longwire; I've never had a house
where the layout of the yard allowed erecting a [somewhat] directional antenna
(like a trap dipole) in the right direction to optimize reception of
what I was most interested in receiving.
Regards, WillRSHAPIRO@BBNA.ARPA (Richard Shapiro) (09/06/85)
In answer to Jerry Ruhno (my mail system doesn't like your address so I'm sending this to the full distribution list): I recommend that you continue to use your longwire, string it up outside in the clear and get a simple antenna tuner (MFJ makes one for ~$35). This should do as well as a trapped dipole on the bands the dipole is tuned for and better elsewhere. You'll have to twiddle two more knobs for optimal reception but it's worth it. I'd be interested to hear your opinions of the 2010 by the way (especially the performance of the synchronous ECSS). Richard Shapiro/RSHAPIRO@BBNA -------