Hey Folks,
I'm Garrett. I'm new here, so I think it'd be appropriate to say hello. I'm relatively new to the hobby, I recently bought my first shortwave receiver, a Sony ICF-SW7600GR. I'm living in Michigan currently, and I'm a Junior in High School.

So here's my questions:
I've been using my receiver with the included whip antenna and the included portable wire antenna. I've been having trouble picking up anything at all, even the more powerful stations. Does anyone have any insight? Should I get an antenna? If so, what kind?

Second,
Has anyone been able to pick up Voice of Korea in the midwest? Where could I find a current schedule online?

Thanks!
-Garrett

On Dec 18, 11:51*pm, John Smith wrote:
On 12/18/2010 11:47 PM, RHF wrote:

...

I'll just bet you, people with a 30' ft antenna are often wondering why
they don't hear what people with 100+ ft antenna hear ... don't ya'
think? *ROFLOL

Regards,
JS


JS - It is a 'portable' AM/FM Shortwave Radio and
most of them are prone to overload from very long
wire antennas.
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.r...8e19152cc1946c
Hence these recommendations. ~ RHF

On Dec 19, 1:46*am, user wrote:
garrett1415 wrote:
*Where
could I find a current schedule online?

Thanks!
-Garrett

He
--
--
What's on Shortwave guide: choose an hour, go!http://shortwave.tk
700+ Radio Stations on SWhttp://swstations.tk
300+ languages on SWhttp://radiolanguages.tk

Voice of Korea [DPRK] English "B10" Fall/Winter 2010/11
Shortwave Radio Broadcast Schedule
http://www.northkoreatech.org/2010/1...-b10-schedule/

Joe from Kokomo wrote:
On 12/19/2010 2:51 AM, John Smith wrote:

I'll just bet you, people with a 30' ft antenna are often wondering why
they don't hear what people with 100+ ft antenna hear ... don't ya'
think? ROFLOL

Regards,
JS

...and I'll just bet -you- [JS] that you are not familiar with the
concept of "front end overload". More [antenna] is NOT always better.

The antenna on a good portable is an active. It must be shorter than 1/4
wave at the highest frequency of interest to work at its optimum.

The EXT jack on a 7600 should be able to handle a proper wire antenna
10m or so.

I have a Sony 7600GR I bought from J&R a few years ago.
http://www.jr.com Thirty foot long wire antenna works ok for me.
cuhulin

On 12/19/2010 4:19 AM, RHF wrote:

...

JS - It is a 'portable' AM/FM Shortwave Radio and
most of them are prone to overload from very long
wire antennas.
...

That is why attenuators/narrow-filters are used. It is a simple law of
physics, long antennas WILL receive signals short ones WILL NOT.

No one is saying that you cannot refuse to avail yourself of better
reception ... some of us just find that unacceptable ...

Regards,
JS

On 12/19/2010 6:28 AM, Joe from Kokomo wrote:

...
...and I'll just bet -you- [JS] that you are not familiar with the
concept of "front end overload". More [antenna] is NOT always better.

Actually, I am, you are quite wrong.

However, we can be quite sure you are unfamiliar with narrow filters and
attenuators ... most likely, you don't even own one!

Regards,
JS

On 12/19/2010 8:08 AM, D. Peter Maus wrote:

...
Precisely. And a portable, like his, is particularly susceptible to
overload.

30 feet of antenna, on a portable is more than enough to get his where
he needs to go.

Experimentation, and refinement from there, as he gets his feet wet in
the hobby.




You need an attenuator also? Strange, many seem to have had rather
limited experience with constructing antennas which provide the best of
performance ... good the subject has come up here!

Regards,
JS

On 12/19/2010 8:45 AM, Kevin Alfred Strom wrote:

...

True. A normal-sized outdoor antenna far from noise would still be best,
I think, but a preselector and adjustable attenuator might be necessary
to avoid overload on some portables.


With every good wish,


Kevin.

WOW! A lot of you guys, huh?

Regards,
JS

On 12/19/2010 9:42 AM, dave wrote:

...
The antenna on a good portable is an active. It must be shorter than 1/4
wave at the highest frequency of interest to work at its optimum.

The EXT jack on a 7600 should be able to handle a proper wire antenna
10m or so.

Physics is certain on this point. An antenna with a larger capture area
will always capture a stronger signal ... arguing that is pointless.

Regards,
JS