I have no doubt that this is the place to go if you're a hardcore radio fan.

I started reading this group in hopes of finding out how to pick a better
antenna for my RadioLabs-modded Sangean 909, but have to admit that I've
come away more confused than ever.

To keep my needs simple, I need an external antenna for a wide range of
bands (between 150 and 30K KHz) that mates with my RCA jacks. I've read
about the benefits (or necessity) of a separate antenna tuner, and some
brands have come up. I've heard about the Sony AN-1, but found that it's
discontinued and Ebay may be the only source, and there are some other loop
antennas that I cold lay out on my roof...but I guess I don't know what's
best.

What thrills me about listening to my radio is picking up signals from all
over the world, finding out what other people think and say. It was always
cool to me, even when I was a little kid and sat around an old Sony FY-410
worldband radio (which I still have, and it still picks up plenty nearly 40
years later). I don't plan to ever transmit--it's a passive sport for
me--and I live in Central New Jersey (USA) so there's plenty of noise to
compete with.

So, can you hook a brother up? LOL

On Sat, 10 Apr 2004 22:57:48 -0400, "CentralNJBill"
wrote:

I have no doubt that this is the place to go if you're a hardcore radio fan.

I started reading this group in hopes of finding out how to pick a better
antenna for my RadioLabs-modded Sangean 909, but have to admit that I've
come away more confused than ever.

To keep my needs simple, I need an external antenna for a wide range of
bands (between 150 and 30K KHz) that mates with my RCA jacks. I've read
about the benefits (or necessity) of a separate antenna tuner, and some
brands have come up. I've heard about the Sony AN-1, but found that it's
discontinued and Ebay may be the only source, and there are some other loop
antennas that I cold lay out on my roof...but I guess I don't know what's
best.

What thrills me about listening to my radio is picking up signals from all
over the world, finding out what other people think and say. It was always
cool to me, even when I was a little kid and sat around an old Sony FY-410
worldband radio (which I still have, and it still picks up plenty nearly 40
years later). I don't plan to ever transmit--it's a passive sport for
me--and I live in Central New Jersey (USA) so there's plenty of noise to
compete with.

So, can you hook a brother up? LOL

My recommendation is a random wire with a coax transmission line. Use
75 ohm "cable tv coax" as impedence isn't an issue, the loss is as
minimal as RG-8 type cable and you can't beat the availability & cost
Radio Shack sells an 'F' to phono plug adapter if you don't want to
fiddle with soldering the phno plug to the coax. For a proven method
of how to minimize noise the following article is a 'must read':
http://www.anarc.org/naswa/badx/ante...e_antenna.html


You will find many other useful ideas if you browse many of the
articles on the 'parent' site http://dxworld.com/dxnews.html#ANT and
then for even more info on shortwave, and broadcast band monitoring,
the 'grandparent' site http://www.cybercomm.net/~slapshot/speedx.html
is highly recommended.

As to the tuner, or preselector - different animals though some use
the terminology interchangeably, I'd hold off on worrying about using
one. A tuner matches the impedence of the antenna to that of the
radio, whereas a preselector works as a bandpass where it rejects
signals outside the frequency where it is tuned. First order of
business is to get the antenna installed, pay attention to grounding,
keeping the antenna clear of powerlines (can be hard in a city, if
possible run the antenna perpendicular to the power lines, it can help
to reduce noise) and when routing the cable into your home keep it as
clear of the household wiring as possible.

There ya go, all "hooked up"

Howard

On Sat, 10 Apr 2004 22:57:48 -0400, "CentralNJBill"
wrote:
To keep my needs simple, I need an external antenna for a wide range of
bands (between 150 and 30K KHz) that mates with my RCA jacks. I've read
about the benefits (or necessity) of a separate antenna tuner

Must have, but you don't need to spend big bucks.

, and some
brands have come up. I've heard about the Sony AN-1, but found that it's
discontinued and Ebay may be the only source

Buy the cheapest Ham radio antenna tuner (especially without meters
you don't need). Used is OK (as long as it isn't burned out).

, and there are some other loop
antennas that I cold lay out on my roof...but I guess I don't know what's
best.

A long wire as high as you can get it will fill your bands. A loop
may be more useful for AM DX.

What thrills me about listening to my radio is picking up signals from all
over the world, finding out what other people think and say. It was always
cool to me, even when I was a little kid and sat around an old Sony FY-410
worldband radio (which I still have, and it still picks up plenty nearly 40
years later). I don't plan to ever transmit--it's a passive sport for
me--and I live in Central New Jersey (USA) so there's plenty of noise to
compete with.

Hi OM,

For that anticipated noise: search the archives of this group for
"chokes" for antennas, also use keywords like "ferrite" and "1:1
Balun."

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Hi there,

I had a Sangean type Roberts RC818 as my first radio, that was a great
performer.

For HF listening, you cant beat a longwire!! Run the wire as long and as high
as you can! Match it to the receiver using either a cheap RX only ATU or a
Magnetic Longwire Balun ($ 25-ish). There is NO NEED for active antennas, there
is so much signal on HF, and your receiver is sensitive enough to work with a
little telescopic. A properly matched long wire will haul the signals in...

John.

Fantastic response, guys! I knew I came to the right place. It seems a
longwire is the way to go, and I'll be using your advice to make a go of it.
Thanks again!