Shortwave Antenna

I would like to build a shortwave radio antenna and would like to know how to do so cheaply.

OK, lets do the math. Convert the frequency in Megahertz to actual wave length- lets say 29 Megahertz is roughly 10 meters, or about 30 feet right?

So, because I'm lazy I'm going to tap right in the middle- that is, 15 feet to the left and 15 feet to the right.

This makes a full wavelength dipole antenna- all it takes is one 30' length of 12 gauge wire, and a wire from there to the back of your reciever.

I suggest you look online for "Ham Radio Antenna Designs" or find the old book "Shortwave Listening" from TAB books.

Good Luck

2006-09-15 17:30:19 by puzzlebear

In this video I show how to make a basic shortwave radio antenna. This antenna can be made for less than a $1.00 and it works as well as antennas ...

I have a 17 foot tall cb antenna also called a 10 meter band antenna and want to use it to receive all shortwave freq. any hints or modifacations to help it work ??

http://hubpages.com/hub/CB-Radio-Antenna s---Which-Type-Is-Right-For-Your-Two-Way -Radio

Check this guys site out, he should be able to answer you questions I would guess.

2009-03-27 17:02:09 by Paul S

Price: $79.95 $39.99

Easily attaches directly to 1/8" ANT jack or clips to existing antenna
Enhances AM SW Performance Reception - Tested amoung Best indoor world-band antennas
Engineered Indoor Antenna - Aids receptions in concrete and metal buildings
Wide Frequency Range - SW 3.9 - 22 MHz AM 520 - 1710 KHz
Portable Loop Antenna - Compact sized, easily hangs from windows, etc. attaches

I am looking to build a shortwave antenna and I felt like putting a seperate question from my other shortwave question about building one.

It obviously would be pretty cheap to make as many people say. I would definitely use a 12 or 14 gauge wire, probably copper. Now there are many different types of antenna I could build, I have heard most of the dipole antenna, other people just talk about throwing a random wire out the window, I have also heard of slinky antennas.

Now I would most likely make an outside antenna because my radio would be near a window and I think an outdoor antenna would pick up signals a lot better.

So if you could give me some pointers and such. And if you could send me steps on how to build one and such, preferably with pictures to help me out a bit. Thank you.

Here is a good place to go for Shortwave antenna help. They have all kind of forums and discussion on radios and antenna's

http://www.eham.net/forums/Misc/5405

Have a Good Day !

Don

2009-01-01 18:31:30 by Geoffrey H

Price: $149.95

Built-in 15-foot cable for the connection between the KA35 antenna and your radio
Built-in 500mAh rechargeable battery, charge by AC adapter, USB or Solar power
Non tuning design, very easy to set up and operate
Built-in 5 1/2" ferrite antenna for mediumwave, LW and Tropical broadcasting signal reception
Built-in 3-foot telescopic whip antenna for shortwave broadcasting signal reception

I have a Grundig S350 Deluxe Shortwave radio:

http://www.amazon.com/Grundig-S350-Delux e-Shortwave-Radio/dp/B000Q5APCC/ref=pd_b bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qi d=1230837562&sr=8-1

It's a decent radio and so far I've really had no problems with it.

For the radio my stations of interesting in listening to are in South Africa, I can get the stations but they are very weak and the signal wavers, I'd like to get the signal as clear as possible and I've been looking at the options.

I could make an antenna but I have also been looking at buying one, there are two ones I found and they are located here:

http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ANT-60-Sho rt-Wave-Antenna/dp/B000023VW2/ref=pd_bbs _sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid= 1230837833&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Kaito-AN-03L-Radio -antenna/dp/B00066Z9XG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?i e=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1230838 299&sr=8-1

I'd rather buy one preferably because the company definitely knows more about radios then I would. But how much clearer would an antenna make the signal?

And is buying one really worth it or is a home-made one with wire just as good?
Also I have been looking at books to get for helping me with shortwave and different stations, either I could get Passport to World Band Radio:

http://www.amazon.com/Passport-World-Ban d-Radio-2009/dp/0914941801/ref=pd_bbs_sr _1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=123083870 6&sr=8-1

Or this one I found which I'm wondering about called the World Radio TV Handbook:

http://www.amazon.com/World-Radio-Handbo ok-2009-Broadcasting/dp/0823044017/ref=s r_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=123083 8761&sr=1-1

They both look good but what do they have in them, do they have instructions on how to use a shortwave radio and how shortwave works or do they have stations and frequencies to listen to, or both?

First off , read and **understand** the website SWDXER

http://oh2ffy.50gigs.net/swdxer/index.ht ml

It will answer most of your shortwave questions - correctly without the fairy stories of people that just don't know.

Now days with the low sunspot count (which will soon improve) its make it a real challenge for SW listeners.
This challenge is made near on impossible with the use of portable or average quality receivers.

Simple receivers (essentially anything that comes with a built in telescopic antenna or a price tag under $300) do not respond well when connected to a large external antenna.

This often results in overloading of the receiver which creates more buzzes , whistling hetrodynes and distortion than it had previously.

The net result is a worse signal.- not a better one.

If you really like SW , dump the Grundig , (which by the way is made in China) and get a decent desktop communications receiver such as a Yaesu or Icom.

Those radios , combined with a REAL antenna (not something rolled up like a yo-yo) are amazing ,,and are like night versus day compared to what you have now.

2009-01-01 11:34:42 by Geoffrey H

And if so, how?

It will receive, but just not as efficiently as a longwire.

If you are transmitting, then the resonance of the antenna must match the frequency used, or it results in a high standing wave ratio, which in modern solid state transceivers, will simply cause the radio to not transmit, to prevent damage. In the old days, it would burn something out.

resonant length for a half wavelength at 3 MHz, is 164 feet, and for 30 MHz is about 16 and a half feet.

For a TV mast to be used as a vertical, it should be electrically continuous, that is the sections must be soldered together to guarantee an electrical connection. A jumper from one to the other might work. Or, it might be better to just run a wire up the mast, and use the wire as a vertical, just supported by the mast.

2009-04-28 20:07:45 by zach