My simple HF wire antenna

[racin06]

I just purchased a new AOR AR8200 Mark IIIB. This is my first wideband receiver. Though the 8200 is about average (in my opinion) on HF with the unit's telescopic antenna, I thought I would make my own wire antenna.

I bought a roll of 22 gauge stranded hookup wire, alligator clips and a solderless right angle male BNC connector. I cut a 30 ft. section of wire, connected an alligator clip and the BNC connector at the ends. I connected the BNC to my 8200 and ran the wire across the tops of my living room windows, around a small corner and accross the top of my sliding glass doors. I connected the alligator clip to a metal bracket from which my vertical blinds are hanging.

Once I fired up the 8200, I was amazed at the reception with this simple wire antenna. MUCH better than the telescopic antenna. I was receiving very stong reception from Ham operators in the 7.150 to 7.300 (LSB) range. Also, shortwave broadcast stations are strong from Europe and Asia. I'll be doing some more experimenting tonight.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my story. I live in a subdivision that does not allow outdoor antennas. I believe I just found my solution to tuning into HF freqs.

 

[loumaag]

Well at 30 ft, you have cut yourself a 1/4 wave antenna for about 7.700 MHz. It is no wonder it works better than the stock antenna in the 7 MHz band.

For the "Homeowner Organization" challenged, there are several solutions which can be used for recievers (some for transmitting). If you have a metal gutter system around your home, try hooking to that.

 

[LarrySC]

Some apartment dwellers using receiver either upstars or downstairs have run a wire outside of apartment. Stright up or down. If its going up just clip it at top. If its going down put a lead weight on the end. Wire color of course should be near same as sideing or brick.

 

[racin06]

Well at 30 ft, you have cut yourself a 1/4 wave antenna for about 7.700 MHz. It is no wonder it works better than the stock antenna in the 7 MHz band.

For the "Homeowner Organization" challenged, there are several solutions which can be used for recievers (some for transmitting). If you have a metal gutter system around your home, try hooking to that.

I think I'll give the metal gutter a try, Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[racin06]

Some apartment dwellers using receiver either upstars or downstairs have run a wire outside of apartment. Stright up or down. If its going up just clip it at top. If its going down put a lead weight on the end. Wire color of course should be near same as sideing or brick.

I'll also give your suggestion a try. Thanks.

 

[mypoppa]

Always on top.

Larryscan the man with a plan.

 

[W4KRR]

I ran some small, insulated wire under the fascia on the outside of my house for a total length of around 80 feet. Works pretty well for receiving, and it's almost impossible to see from the street.

 

[dansjeep2000]

Will this work on higher freq? like the 800 digital stuff?

 

[Don_Burke]

Will this work on higher freq? like the 800 digital stuff?

For that, a groundplane or vertical dipole would serve you better.

If you have access to an attic, an antenna up there will normally be a substantial improvement. In any case, a better antenna with more height is the way to go.

 

[dansjeep2000]

For that, a groundplane or vertical dipole would serve you better.

If you have access to an attic, an antenna up there will normally be a substantial improvement. In any case, a better antenna with more height is the way to go.

thanks

 

[ka3jjz]

Another suggestion - if you have air vents, connect a wire to one of the screws that hold the plate on with a star washer, then feed it to your receiver through a 9:1 balun (sometimes known as a magnetic longwire balun). Even a 4:1 balun seems to have some benefits - that's what you generally find in a MFJ tuner. Even the McGyver special might be a possibility (it's in our wiki, and is really just a helically wound horizontal antenna using an old tube that carpets ship in...the link is below). I'm using both through a simple switch until the attic cools off. I'm not fond of cooking myself, hi 73 Mike

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/The_McGyver(tm)_special

 

[jon_k]

For the "Homeowner Organization" challenged, there are several solutions which can be used for recievers (some for transmitting). If you have a metal gutter system around your home, try hooking to that.

For transmitting? Can only imagine how the antenna tuner will tune that.

 

[ka3jjz]

I've read that some hams do exactly that, Jon. Never tried it myself - being on a third floor, my name would have to be Peter Parker to try it :.>>

It would be somewhat less important just listening, but for transmitting, you would need to insure there was no corrosion and that the joints between pieces was well bonded. Undoubtedly you would need to establish a good RF ground in the form of radials - otherwise I can easily see getting into the neighbor's TV, phone, ect. At least that's what I remember reading....

 

[tcb4ep]

need advice on using my parts

i am looking to make an outside antenna, i bought 500 feet of coax cable on craigslist for 19.00 dollars too good to pass up i thought for this project.
i have two used digital dishs on my roof. is it possible to run the coax to one of the dish and connect a bnc connector for my uniden bct8 scanner?
or do i buy a real radio antenna, mount to the pole of the dish and run the coax to the scanner?
i am trying to be creative as i move forward in this great new hobby,,
FYI, I am 25 miles from tulsa oklahoma and pick the police with a radioshack window antenna, mounted on top of my window curtain..
thanks!!!
jeff

 

[ka3jjz]

Please don't hijack threads, tcb....you should start a new thread for questions like this

However to answer your question, while you'll probably get some signal, it won't be optimum. Get a real scanner antenna such as a ScanTenna or good quality discone. You'll do far better.

You didn't say what you got insofar as the type of coax on Craigslist but if it's a RG58 or 59U I wouldn't use it for feeding a scanner antenna, particularly if you have a long run to make. Far too much loss at higher freqs (400 mhz and up) 73 Mike

 

[tcb4ep]

New To Threads

Please don't hijack threads, tcb....you should start a new thread for questions like this

However to answer your question, while you'll probably get some signal, it won't be optimum. Get a real scanner antenna such as a ScanTenna or good quality discone. You'll do far better.

You didn't say what you got insofar as the type of coax on Craigslist but if it's a RG58 or 59U I wouldn't use it for feeding a scanner antenna, particularly if you have a long run to make. Far too much loss at higher freqs (400 mhz and up) 73 Mike

sorry i was not trying to high jack the thread,, this is like my fourth post on the board,.., i appreciate the info.