SW Radio antenna

Countrytech · Veteran Member

SW Radio antenna

valiant81 · Guru

Hi;

S/w antennas, i have used a long wire ( 50' ~ 100' ) mounted up as high as possible, and a couple of egg insulators eatch end of your wire would not go astray. Great for AM and S/W. I have also used this type of antenna to transmitt, but i then i had to use a antenna tuner to 'match' the impedance of the antenna to the transmitter. This idear has been around since the early days of radio.

Other than that there are formulars around so as to 'cut ' the antenna to the reqired length so as to match the frequency that you wish to listen to. This is VERY important when you come to transmitt, other wise you can do untold damage to your communication radio ( damage the RF out put stage ) . Once again not a problem if you have only a S/W receiver. Hope this helps

Cloak · Guru

Years ago I made quite a few. A length of wire strung up in the trees worked best.

The wavelength of SW is 120 Metres to 40 Metres depending on the band.

To be honest I had all the maths and formulas at my disposal but every time trial and error worked best.

Just a long wire out the bedroom window, up along the roof and tied to a tree in the back yard.

This link may help www.hamuniverse.com/shortwaveantenna.html

Cheers

-- Edited by Cloak on Thursday 16th of January 2014 01:51:48 PM

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.