Phono Wire as an antenna?
 

Hi there - ive got a Sony ICF-7600GR shortwave radio and was looking at
a way to improve my reception (pick up more comms and stuff) - i was
wondering if a longwire antenna made from Phono wire would do the job -
and then just clip the phono onto the antenna with a crock clip ;-)

Any ideas?

Cheers
{FireArm]

{FireArm} wrote:

Hi there - ive got a Sony ICF-7600GR shortwave radio and was looking at
a way to improve my reception (pick up more comms and stuff) - i was
wondering if a longwire antenna made from Phono wire would do the job -
and then just clip the phono onto the antenna with a crock clip ;-)

Any ideas?

Wire is wire... just don't overdo the length going to that portable or you'll
possibly overload it, a common problem when trying to attach a longer antenna.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/dxpage.htm

Wire is wire... just don't overdo the length going to that portable
or you'll
possibly overload it, a common problem when trying to attach a longer
antenna.

dxAce

When you say "overload" what do you mean? - do you mean that because
the wire is so long it will not be able to differentiate between two
signals? - i just want it to go around a room and the around a window -
whats a good length?

Cheers
{FireArm}

{FireArm} wrote:


Wire is wire... just don't overdo the length going to that portable
or you'll
possibly overload it, a common problem when trying to attach a longer
antenna.

dxAce

When you say "overload" what do you mean? - do you mean that because
the wire is so long it will not be able to differentiate between two
signals? - i just want it to go around a room and the around a window -
whats a good length?

Experiment.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

Run some wire around the perimeter of the window held in place with
small suction cup hooks. The length isn't critical, but as DxAce said
too much antenna and you will flood the receiver with signals. A wire
antenna isn't particularly selective, and it will pick up all signals
more or less equally. So Radio Havana will come in nice and strong,
but so will static crashes and hash from a nearby computer or tv.

Modern portable receivers are quite sensitive and they pick up a lot
with just the built-in whip antenna. Unless you are inside a steel
frame building that radio should hear lots of shortwave broadcasts and
ham stations with just the whip.

I found that on my Sony 7600 about 5 yards of longwire is about right.

73's Richard SO5GB, Warsaw
"RHF" wrote in message
ups.com...
FireArm,

Yes - Clipping a single piece of Phone Wire on to the Tip
of the Whip Antenna will work.

The better Idea may be InDoor Loop Antennas :

Try taking a single piece of Phone Wire and form it into an
Around-the-Ceiling Loop Antenna. You will create an InDoor
Horizontal Loop Antenna between 32' - 44' long.

Or taking a single piece of Phone Wire and form it into an
On-the-Wall {Inverted} Delta Loop Antenna. You will create
an InDoor Vertical Loop Antenna between 24' - 36' long.

From where the two wire ends that form the Loop meet; Twist
the two wire ends together to form a Twisted Pair of Wires
to extend to the Radio.

Connect the Two Ends of the Twisted Pair from the Loop Antenna
to a 1/8" Mono-Plug. Plug the 1/8" Mono-Plug into the Radio's
External Antenna Jack.

iane ~ RHF
. . . . .

FireArm,

Yes - Clipping a single piece of Phone Wire on to the Tip
of the Whip Antenna will work.

The better Idea may be InDoor Loop Antennas :

Try taking a single piece of Phone Wire and form it into an
Around-the-Ceiling Loop Antenna. You will create an InDoor
Horizontal Loop Antenna between 32' - 44' long.

Or taking a single piece of Phone Wire and form it into an
On-the-Wall {Inverted} Delta Loop Antenna. You will create
an InDoor Vertical Loop Antenna between 24' - 36' long.

From where the two wire ends that form the Loop meet; Twist
the two wire ends together to form a Twisted Pair of Wires
to extend to the Radio.

Connect the Two Ends of the Twisted Pair from the Loop Antenna
to a 1/8" Mono-Plug. Plug the 1/8" Mono-Plug into the Radio's
External Antenna Jack.

iane ~ RHF
. . . . .

{FireArm} wrote:
Hi there - ive got a Sony ICF-7600GR shortwave radio and was looking at
a way to improve my reception (pick up more comms and stuff) - i was
wondering if a longwire antenna made from Phono wire would do the job -
and then just clip the phono onto the antenna with a crock clip ;-)

Any ideas?

Cheers
{FireArm]



Many people have improved there reception somewhat doing exactly what
you describe. The type of wire is not that important, but thin and
flexible is easirr to work with. Many say that wrapping several turns
of the wire around the antenna works better than clipping it on, others
disagree with that. Experiemnt. Try a length of wire about 21' long
for starters.

Tony

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{FireArm} wrote:
Wire is wire... just don't overdo the length going to that portable

or you'll

possibly overload it, a common problem when trying to attach a longer

antenna.

dxAce


When you say "overload" what do you mean? - do you mean that because
the wire is so long it will not be able to differentiate between two
signals? - i just want it to go around a room and the around a window -
whats a good length?

Cheers
{FireArm}



Overloaded means that the strongest signals you can normally
receive will start appearing at several places on the dial besides in
their correct location. There, they will wash over several freequencies
above and below that. A classic case of "too much of a good thing".
It's the weaker signals you are frequently after! You need a longer
wire for picking up weaker signals - until it gets long enough
(especially on small portables) to start "overloading" the front end of
the tuner.

Tony

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