Shortwave Radio 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

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: $19.95 $9.90

Improves the performance and reception of your shortwave radio
Has 3.5-millimeter mini plug
Fits any 3.5-millimeter external antenna jack
Extends to 23 feet and can be easily rewound into its compact case
Includes adapter plug

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

Price: $149.95 $69.99

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

I'm mostly fascinated with numbers stations, uk football, military radio and DXing overseas. I'm interested in finding far off radio stations to listen to, and am looking for a good Shortwave Radio that would be less mobile and more of a base station. I would be willing to attach an outside antenna with a feed, but keep it as simple as possible, I live in San Diego, CA and have limited space. If anyone can help please let me know! :)

Usually communications grade receivers are what most people use who are deep into listening. There are a few receivers only made by ICOM for instance with the grand Daddy being about $10,000US but most I know use ham grade gear that you can usually find for a few hundred dollars

You don't say how much limited space you have. Most build loop antennas that encircle a person's back yard for the best reception (a 300 foot or half mile loop is better but who wants to hear a lightning crash 300 miles away)

There are many active antennas out there as well as in the ham community antennas built for hamming off of balconies of apartments if you are truly limited in space.

If not, this may help :
http://www.globaltuners.com/

2008-11-23 14:59:51 by Wook

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