Sony 7600GR random wire?

eorange · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 08:05 PM

I could never find positive confirmation of this on the yahoo groups, so...

Can I plug a random wire into the AM EXT ANT jack, presumably using the center conductor? Has anyone done this? I read there's a small amount of voltage on this jack that is meant to supply Sony's active loop antenna accessory, so not sure this is the same as a regular, "passive" antenna connection like the whip.

Thanks.

N1BHH · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 11:04 PM

Done it on lots of radios, sure beats the whip on my Yachtboy any day.Mine came with a roll out wire and I used it, seems to work okay. I've had a few portable radios hooked to random wire with good results. Give it a try. On strong signals you may get some overload, though.

eorange · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 11:19 PM

Right, I've used random wires before on other radios.

But I'm specifically concerned about the presence of voltage on the 7600GR's antenna jack, which is intended to power a Sony active antenna. Can I use a random wire here instead?

Sony AN-LP1 ANLP1 Active Antenna

electricman · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 12:10 PM

Not sure about using the powered antenna jack? I thought I read somewhere, possibly on one of the many eham.net reviews that it did not work out well?

What about using a reel antenna attached to the radio's antenna? you could possibly make your own antenna and plug into the adapter?

Reel Antenna:

RADIOS4YOU PORTABLE SHORTWAVE RETRACTIBLE REEL ANTENNA - eBay (item 260336636939 end time Nov-17-09 20:05:29 PST)

I use a Sony AN-LP1 with my DX-398 its a keeper and still available:

Sony AN-LP1 Portable Active Antenna - eBay (item 140352031297 end time Oct-22-09 18:58:22 PDT)

ka3jjz · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 01:16 PM

Hmm - the 7600 I thought came with a wire antenna. Wanna bet it's coupled through a capacitor to prevent the antenna from becoming hot?

Of course a question on the 7600 Yahoo group would clean that right up....73 Mike

eorange · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 01:23 PM

It does come with a reel antenna that clips to the whip, and I do that.

Just looking to see if I can use the EXT AM jack for a random wire, because I like long random wires, and again wondering if it's safe to do that with this radio.

It may be that it just don't work good, like electricman says. I just recall going down this investigative path a while ago and found no clear answers.

electricman · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 03:17 PM

Check out the Owners Manual page 35 under notes:

Sony eSupport - ICF-SW7600GR - Manuals / Specs / Warranty

Do not connect external antennas other than those recommended to the AM EXT ANT jack. This jack outputs DC voltage for antenna power supply.

nickcarr · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:41 PM

Basically, if you were to hook up a 100ft random wire to the Sony 7600 ext ant jack, then you'll likely fry the radio. Don't do this...

If you want to play with bigger antennas, then you'll need to get a better receiver.

There are (usually) several used shortwave receivers on EBay that you can buy without spending a fortune.

eorange · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricman

Check out the Owners Manual page 35 under notes:

Well, there it is. I guess it pays to read the whole manual.

I do have better receivers use them with an outdoor antenna. But I like listening to the 7600 on the couch (which is away from the feedline), and in the past have thrown a random wire across the room with other radios. Just was looking to do the same with the 7600; guess I'll keep using the whip clip-on.

Thanks all.

gcgrotz · #10 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 09:33 AM

I have an older 7600F and I use the clip on often. It lessens the strain from the whip; my back case cracked from that.

My ext antenna jack does not say AM Ext, just Ext Ant. The manual specifically states it is not connected below 1600 KHz and the radio only uses the internal loopstick (which works very well IMHO).

Also, if you are using an insulated antenna, which by default should be the case, what harm would come from having that small voltage imposed on the wire? I'd bet it is current limited internally anyway so it wouldn't hurt anything when inserting the plug. 100 ft of wire would probably cause some overload of you are anywhere near an AM station.

Finally, I think (could be wrong here) that Sony discontinued the active portable loop antenna that used that voltage.

P.S. eorange, I use my 7600 a lot when I go to bed so I know what you mean about the couch. The reel antenna seems to work very well.

electricman · #11 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 10:54 AM

Check out:

"I can personally attest that I've *more than tripled* the number of stations I've received compared to the included wind-up antenna."

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...15Antenna.html

eorange · #12 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 08:16 AM

Interesting link...thanks for posting.

I also don't think there's any harm with imposing a small voltage on the wire. I was more worried about accidentally shorting something inside the radio during the process of homebrewing something.

gcgrotz · #13 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricman

Check out:

"I can personally attest that I've *more than tripled* the number of stations I've received compared to the included wind-up antenna."

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...15Antenna.html

While I personally dis-agree with some of his conclusions regarding radio techs since I am one, the good basic info about a simple wire antenna is good and should work well for the most part. I'm not sure about the lower frequency abilities of a TV type matching transformer, but there should be plenty of signal even with a little more loss.

I am currently using a vertical, nothing fancy, mounted to the side of a garden shed with PVC-pipe insulated brackets. I got 1000 ft of wire from a sale table and laid out radials until I ran out of wire. Didn't even bury them, the grass grew up and hid most of it although raking leaves is a little tricky. Keep it simple!