On Feb 24, 10:31 pm, "RedPenguin" wrote:
I will soon be purchasing a Sony World Band Receiver ICF-SW7600GR
shortwave receiver. I am not too sure on how to pick a good shortwave
antenna. Does anyone have this radio and know a great antenna to pick
up things or just know a great shortwave antenna in general?

Dear Sir,

The best antenna for the Sony ICF-SW7600GR is the one designed for it:
the Sony AN-LP1 Active Antenna, There are two problems with this: it
is somewhat expensive (about $90.00 plus shipping) and it has been
discontinued in the United States. The one place to buy one, of which
I'm aware, is from an eBay seller. (Just go on eBay and search for
AN-LP1 ; make sure you insert the hyphen.) There is at least one
dealer there who sells the antenna for $89.00, which was its last US
price, and $15.00 shipping, which is not bad considering the antenna
will be shipped from a foreign country. If you can afford the price,
this is definitely the way to go. This antenna works extremely well
with the ICF-SW7600GR and is designed to collapse into a bag which
makes for very easy transport. It is a very elegant antenna and its
performance is superlative, especially with the '7600GR. (It must be
mounted in a window. Like all loops, it is directional, so you can
experiment with various windows in your house.) When I go on vacation,
I always carry one of my '7600GRs and one of my AN-LP1s.

Should you not wish to go this route, next best is the Sangean ANT 60
antenna. This is a "wind-up" antenna which can actually fit in your
pocket. When unstrung, the length is about 23 feet. This antenna works
surprisingly well with the '7600GR and is even usable outdoors in
windy weather. (The AN-LP1's instructions state it is for indoor use
only; it can, however, be used outdoors if there is no wind.) The
Sangean antenna costs about $12.00 - $15.00 and is available from
several sources - Universal Radio, AES, and C. Crane. Note that this
antenna uses very thin cable and is therefore somewhat delicate. I
have had a couple break over the years but, at the price, it doesn't
matter. I always keep a few spares on hand. (Even if you buy an AN-
LP1, it is good - and I recommend that you do so - to buy one or two
of these Sangeans just to have around for use when using the AN-LP1
may not be appropriate.)

My final recommendation to you would be to "roll your own." Forty to
sixty feet of insulated wire (16 - 18 Gauge) terminating in a 3.5 mm
plug and strung around your room(s) should work wonders in your
situation. You can, of course, get more elaborate by adding, as
someone suggested on this thread, a balun, but, frankly, with the Sony
radio, this is really not necessary. i believe the simpler the better
with this radio, at least in my experience. (Do NOT go longer than
about sixty feet - someone recommended 300 feet; this is far too long
for this radio - or you run the risk of "overloading.")

If at all possible, do consider the AN-LP1 antenna. I think you'd be
pleased with it and the results it affords.

Good luck.

Joe