"Michael" wrote in message
. ..


Hiya :-)

Sounds like a good solution to me. I'm not an expert, but I think the
key
to having a good antenna isn't really how much wire you have, or what
shape
it is in. What is best is to have an antenna that is constructed to give
you
a good "signal to noise ratio" That meaning, if you have an antenna; even
a
very long one, that is close to an electronic noise source, your antenna
probably won't be too good. You will get lots of noise and static and it
will drown out lots of good DX. If you live in a densely populated area
like I do here in the NY/NJ metro area, noise is always a factor. One of
my
antennas is a 200' random wire. It works great now, but when I first set
it
up, it wasn't so good. At first, I had 400' of wire. I got a lot of
noise
with it, and even worse then that, I would hear the local 50 kilowatt AM
stations all over the band. After reading a few articles and getting some
advice from other DX'ers, I made some modifications to the antenna. I
shortened it to 200' and I made three additions to the antenna's
construction that really helped with noise. I used a coax feed line from
the receiving wire into the radio and I added a matching transformer
between
the coax feed and the receiving wire. I also set up a ground wire that
goes
from the radio's ground connection, to the ground connection on my
matching
transformer and then into the earth. Since those additions, the antenna is
now a prime DX'ing antenna with great signal to noise ratio. So... The
longer antenna at 400' didn't work so good, but the shorter one does.

I think your wire antenna will probably work good. You have more then
enough receiving wire, and a coax feed. If you want to try to improve on
it, you may want to try using a matching transformer between your
receiving
wire and your coax feed. Also... It couldn't hurt to set up a ground if
you
already haven't. Again, though... I think the all important factor is the
location of the antenna rather then the size or shape. Your antenna, if
set
up near serious noise sources won't work good no matter what you do. If
you
take that same antenna and set it up out in the wilderness far away from
any
noise sources... VIOLA ... You got a prime DX'ing antenna :-)

Hope that helps...

--

Respectfully,

Michael


Thanks for the input.

I'm in the middle of town (more or less) but most utility cables are
underground. However, my garden is enclosed amongst the buildings, mixture
of residential and retail (none more that 2 floors, ground and first).

I have grounded the antenna at the farthest end of the wire (nearest to the
ground). I have not grounded the coax though as it is not pactical due to
the distance between the coax and the ground itself. The other alternative
would mean creating an unhappy wife should I run wire around the flat
seeking out the nearest water pipe.

Regards

MC