I have a friend who wants to listen to two particular medium wave AM
broadcast stations. I entered the coordinates of his apartment building
into the FCC webpage and then the frequency for each station.

The first station is KDHL 920 kHz AM in Faribault MN. It appears as if he
is almost 40 miles away from the station transmitting 5 kW daytime and
nightime. I haven't found out anything about their antenna patterns,
however.

The other station is KCHK 1350 kHz AM in New Prague MN. It looks like they
are about 20 miles from that station transmitting 500 watts
daytime, but only 70 watts at night! I don't know anything about their
antenna patterns either.

Anyway, sorry to bore you with all of the details, but he is wondering if he
should even bother putting any effort into trying to receive either station
or if it is simply going to be an exercise in futility. He is confined to a
wheelchair, but I will do what I can, within reason, to help him out.

What recommendations would folks here make for a radio? I am somewhat
partial to the Superadio III because it is pretty reasonably priced, but
obviously there are other receivers up to the task. Also, the only AM
antenna I have is a Terk AM Advantage.

I will probably stop by his apartment sometime with a Superadio and the AM
Advantage just to see if we can get any reception on either 920 or 1350. I
do also have an original C Crane radio that I can try. Any other thoughts
on this?




http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Men...limit_select=4



http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Men...limit_select=4

J&D Schnoor wrote:

I have a friend who wants to listen to two particular medium wave AM
broadcast stations. I entered the coordinates of his apartment building
into the FCC webpage and then the frequency for each station.

The first station is KDHL 920 kHz AM in Faribault MN. It appears as if he
is almost 40 miles away from the station transmitting 5 kW daytime and
nightime. I haven't found out anything about their antenna patterns,
however.

The other station is KCHK 1350 kHz AM in New Prague MN. It looks like they
are about 20 miles from that station transmitting 500 watts
daytime, but only 70 watts at night! I don't know anything about their
antenna patterns either.

snip

You should have some success with the right antenna to deal with any locally
generated noise; I would suggest using an auto radio known for good
AM sensitivity powered by an adequate 12 volt supply. Recently I found
that a Sony CDX-110 (Xplode) radio/cd-player worked very well indoors
in my hostile RFI environment with just a three-foot whip to receive
830 WCCO from Mpls here in Duluth during the day (night is always much
easier); no other radio I have including well-regarded communications
receivers worked as well. Many auto radios have better sensitivity,
noise limiters and AGCs than most table radios. You may need to consider
using a magnetic loop antenna to null local interference, but it is
worth trying a longwire first.

The topography around Faribault and New Prague is pretty flat so unless
you have a lot of tall pines to deal with nearby, ground wave shouldn't
be much impacted. I doubt that at those distances antenna patterns
would make much difference, since those stations serve farm markets
that cover the majority of that part of the state.

If for whatever reason you don't solve this problem with radio, you
might convince someone in either town to relay broadcasts as a VoIP
call over the Internet to a computer in your friend's apartment.

Regards,

Michael

On Mar 6, 8:08*pm, "J&D Schnoor" wrote:
I have a friend who wants to listen to two particular medium wave AM
broadcast stations. *I entered the coordinates of his apartment building
into the FCC webpage and then the frequency for each station.

The first station is KDHL 920 kHz AM in Faribault MN. *It appears as if he
is almost 40 miles away from the station transmitting 5 kW daytime and
nightime. *I haven't found out anything about their antenna patterns,
however.

The other station is KCHK 1350 kHz AM in New Prague MN. *It looks like they
are about 20 miles from that station transmitting 500 watts
daytime, but only 70 watts at night! *I don't know anything about their
antenna patterns either.

Anyway, sorry to bore you with all of the details, but he is wondering if he
should even bother putting any effort into trying to receive either station
or if it is simply going to be an exercise in futility. *He is confined to a
wheelchair, but I will do what I can, within reason, to help him out.

What recommendations would folks here make for a radio? *I am somewhat
partial to the Superadio III because it is pretty reasonably priced, but
obviously there are other receivers up to the task. *Also, the only AM
antenna I have is a Terk AM Advantage.

- I will probably stop by his apartment sometime with a
- Superadio and the AM Advantage just to see if we can
- get any reception on either 920 or 1350.

J&D - Now that sounds like a good plan to being with . . .

-*I do also have an original C Crane radio that I can try. *

Yes - Take both Radios along and try both to better idea
of your odds of getting a good evaluation of the AM/MW
Radio reception for those two Radio Station at his place.

- Any other thoughts on this?

When you have done your Go-&-Listen : Please Post your
Results here to let us know : How It Went.

good luck and remember to enjoy your radios ~ RHF

J&D Schnoor wrote:
I have a friend who wants to listen to two particular medium wave AM
broadcast stations. I entered the coordinates of his apartment building
into the FCC webpage and then the frequency for each station.

The first station is KDHL 920 kHz AM in Faribault MN. It appears as if he
is almost 40 miles away from the station transmitting 5 kW daytime and
nightime. I haven't found out anything about their antenna patterns,
however.

The other station is KCHK 1350 kHz AM in New Prague MN. It looks like they
are about 20 miles from that station transmitting 500 watts
daytime, but only 70 watts at night! I don't know anything about their
antenna patterns either.

Anyway, sorry to bore you with all of the details, but he is wondering if he
should even bother putting any effort into trying to receive either station
or if it is simply going to be an exercise in futility. He is confined to a
wheelchair, but I will do what I can, within reason, to help him out.

What recommendations would folks here make for a radio? I am somewhat
partial to the Superadio III because it is pretty reasonably priced, but
obviously there are other receivers up to the task. Also, the only AM
antenna I have is a Terk AM Advantage.

I will probably stop by his apartment sometime with a Superadio and the AM
Advantage just to see if we can get any reception on either 920 or 1350. I
do also have an original C Crane radio that I can try. Any other thoughts
on this?




http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Men...limit_select=4



http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Men...limit_select=4



KDHL is directional N.N.E.

KCHK is directional West

www.fccinfo.com

Greg,

What antenna are you using with the Superadio?

On Mar 7, 7:33*am, Bob Miller wrote:
The problem with searching for a dx station of known frequency with
the Superradio is its analog tuning dial is so inexact. A digital
tuning dial that shows exactly the frequency of the station will at
least tell him he is on frequency.

I've had pretty good luck with the Select-a-tenna loop -- it works
well on weak AM stations IF their frequency is in the clear.

Beyond that, if a wire thrown out the window doesn't do the job, there
are plenty of homebrew MW loop designs all over the web.

Bob
k5qwg

On Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:08:47 GMT, "J&D Schnoor"



wrote:
I have a friend who wants to listen to two particular medium wave AM
broadcast stations. *I entered the coordinates of his apartment building
into the FCC webpage and then the frequency for each station.

The first station is KDHL 920 kHz AM in Faribault MN. *It appears as if he
is almost 40 miles away from the station transmitting 5 kW daytime and
nightime. *I haven't found out anything about their antenna patterns,
however.

The other station is KCHK 1350 kHz AM in New Prague MN. *It looks like they
are about 20 miles from that station transmitting 500 watts
daytime, but only 70 watts at night! *I don't know anything about their
antenna patterns either.

Anyway, sorry to bore you with all of the details, but he is wondering if he
should even bother putting any effort into trying to receive either station
or if it is simply going to be an exercise in futility. *He is confined to a
wheelchair, but I will do what I can, within reason, to help him out.

What recommendations would folks here make for a radio? *I am somewhat
partial to the Superadio III because it is pretty reasonably priced, but
obviously there are other receivers up to the task. *Also, the only AM
antenna I have is a Terk AM Advantage.

I will probably stop by his apartment sometime with a Superadio and the AM
Advantage just to see if we can get any reception on either 920 or 1350. *I
do also have an original C Crane radio that I can try. *Any other thoughts
on this?

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Men...ing_search_out....

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Men...earch_out....- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Bob Miller and J&D Schnoor,

I recommend the Selact-A-Tenna Model 541-M -and/or-
the Terk AM Advantage AM/MW Loop Antenna because
they both have the 1/8" Mono Jack Input / Output feature.

Selact-A-Tenna Model 541-M AM/MW Loop Antenna
http://www.selectatenna.com/
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/mwant/4316.html
http://www.ccrane.com/antennas/am-an...a-model-m.aspx

Terk AM Advantage AM/MW Loop Antenna
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/mwant/2774.html
http://www.ccrane.com/antennas/am-an...advantage.aspx

Take your Long-Wire Antenna and a Ground Wire
and connect then to a 1/8" Mono Plug.

Plug the 1/8" Mono Plug into the Selact-a-Tenna Model 541-M.

Place the Selact-a-Tenna Model 541-M next to the AM/MW Radio
{Inductive Coupling}.

Then 'use' the Selact-a-Tenna Model 541-M as an
AM/MW Antenna Tuner for the Long-Wire Antenna
in conjunction with your AM/MW Radio.

Add a Lazy Susan and your are Good-to-Go DXing ! )

iane ~ RHF

On Mar 7, 7:33*am, Bob Miller wrote:

The problem with searching for a dx station of known frequency with
the Superradio is its analog tuning dial is so inexact. A digital
tuning dial that shows exactly the frequency of the station will at
least tell him he is on frequency.

I've had pretty good luck with the Select-a-tenna loop -- it works
well on weak AM stations IF their frequency is in the clear.
-
- Beyond that,
- if a wire thrown out the window doesn't do the job,
- there are plenty of homebrew MW loop designs
- all over the web.
-
- Bob
- k5qwg
-
* One Star Snip *

Beyond the Ready-Made AM/MW Loop Antennas like the :
Select-A-Tenna, Terk AM Advantage, and the former
RadioShack AM Loop Antennas. Building you own AM/MW
Loop Antenna is another Option to consider. But If - You
are considering IT; then consider Building IT Big. Takes very
little more work than a smaller size Loop Antenna and
provides much better Results. The minimum Size that I
would recommend for a Home Made AM/MW Loop Antenna
is 18 to 20 Inches. IMHO One Yard (36 Inches) to One Metre
is the Right Size for a Home-Brewed AM/MW Loop Antenna.

BUILDING - One of the Bigger Box AM/MW Loop Antennas :
The One Metre AM/MW Loop Antenna
-aka The Square Yard AM/MW Loop Antenna
These are about as big as you want to get when . . .
considering an AM/MW Loop Antenna for In-Doors Use.

Large Plastic Hula Hoop 36~42 Inches
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdMsD_eVK1k

90-Ft. UL-Recognized Hookup Wire (22AWG) # 278-1218
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2036275

PVC One Gang Electrical "Switch" Box, 1"
http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/...ox-619317.aspx

1 Gang 14~365 pf Broadcast Variable Capacitor # BC14400
http://www.oselectronics.com/ose_p96.htm
-aka- Air Variable Tuning Capacitor

1 - Open up the Ends of the Hula Hoop
2 - Place the Ends in to the two end Holes
of the Switch Box.
3 - Thread the Hook-Up Wire into the Switch Box
and around the inside of the Hula Hoop 9 times.
4 - Trim off the Extra Wire.
5 - Solder the Wire ends to the Variable Capacitor's
Frame and Rotor.
6 - Drill a 3/8" Hole in the PVC Cover Plate for the
Switch Box and Mount the Variable Capacitor.
7 - Place the Cover on the Switch Box
8 - Tune, Postion and Enjoy your home made
Hula-Hoop AM/MW Loop Antenna )

AM Loop Antenna Calculator -by Bruce Carter
http://www.mindspring.com/~loop_antenna/
http://www.mindspring.com/~loop_ante...loop_calc4.htm
http://www.mindspring.com/~loop_ante...r_emc_calc.htm

ABOUT - AM/MW Loop Antennas
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jadale/Loop.htm
-source- The Minnesota DX Club (MDXC)

That-Something-Extra - Take a Look at these Messages :

* Improving AM Broadcast Band Reception
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...14420bd2aa34de

* Sizing : The Loop Antenna -versus- the Long-Wire Antenna
for Shortwave Radio Listeners (SWLs)
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...7a3da1550f3005

* Got that Car/Truck AM/FM Radio in the Home :
Now You Need an AM/MW Antenna or Two !
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...16c7d398afdd3f

* Consider these AM/MW Antenna choices for better
AM Medium Wave Radio Reception
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...30fc6a512330be

hope this helps - iane ~ RHF

I finally made it back to my friends house and tried the Superadio with the
Terk AM Advantage. Neither station could be received inside the apartment,
but I could hear 920 kHz AM on my vehicle radio. My friend thinks we should
try the C Crane again, this time with the AM Advantage. I may try that, but
isn't the Superadio III more sensitive than the C Crane on AM anyway, thus
it would probably be a futile experiment?

J&D Schnoor wrote:
I finally made it back to my friends house and tried the Superadio with the
Terk AM Advantage. Neither station could be received inside the apartment,
but I could hear 920 kHz AM on my vehicle radio. My friend thinks we should
try the C Crane again, this time with the AM Advantage. I may try that, but
isn't the Superadio III more sensitive than the C Crane on AM anyway, thus
it would probably be a futile experiment?


If you can clamp this outside a window, preferably at around a 45 degree
angle, it will light up your radio.

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Produc...uctid=MFJ-1024

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Apr 5, 1:51*pm, "J&D Schnoor" wrote:
-
- I finally made it back to my friends house and tried
- the Superadio with the Terk AM Advantage. *
- Neither station could be received inside the apartment,
- but I could hear 920 kHz AM on my vehicle radio.
-*My friend thinks we should try the C Crane again,
- this time with the AM Advantage.
-*I may try that, but isn't the Superadio III more sensitive
- than the C Crane on AM anyway, thus it would probably
- be a futile experiment?

J&D,

Well until you try it you will not know.

Remember to Use the Radio and Loop Antenna
'together' as One-Unit placed on a Lazy Susan.

Spin + Point + Tune Them - together as one ~ RHF