Question about attaching antenna to AM radio

[Marchboom]

I just got a Qodosen DX-286 radio. It has a 3.5mm receptacle for an external antenna. I was thinking of using a single long wire as the antenna but what side of the 3.5mm plug should I solder it to? The positive or negative?

Or is there a better antenna that I could use? This will be mostly to improve AM reception.

Thanks

 

[mmckenna]

I just got a Qodosen DX-286 radio. It has a 3.5mm receptacle for an external antenna. I was thinking of using a single long wire as the antenna but what side of the 3.5mm plug should I solder it to? The positive or negative?

The tip on the 3.5mm plug.

Or is there a better antenna that I could use? This will be mostly to improve AM reception.

Thanks

Long wires are useful if you are looking for something better than the built in antenna. But they can overload the receiver, especially if you have strong nearby AM broadcast stations.

One of the better options for AM dx'ing is a loop antenna. It lets you steer the antenna to null out stations, or improve reception of weaker stations.

 

[G6FGO]

Long wires are useful if you are looking for something better than the built in antenna. But they can overload the receiver, especially if you have strong nearby AM broadcast stations.

This is excellent advice. Portable receivers generally don't have the dynamic range to cope with signals coming in from a decent aerial, you need a communications receiver for that. Then you can experiment with all sorts of aerials.

However, you will do no harm by playing with what you have and it would be a good learning experience to see what you can get away with. A 66ft long wire aerial is the typical recommendation for general listening. Use an insulator like a piece of plastic each end on the aerial span and bring the wire straight in.

 

[Marchboom]

The tip on the 3.5mm plug.



Long wires are useful if you are looking for something better than the built in antenna. But they can overload the receiver, especially if you have strong nearby AM broadcast stations.

One of the better options for AM dx'ing is a loop antenna. It lets you steer the antenna to null out stations, or improve reception of weaker stations.

What loop antenna do you recommend? I'm trying to receive an AM station that is approx 35 miles away. A car radio picks it up OK but not a regular AM radio. So I got this DX-286 and it works much better...but it could be better.

 

[mmckenna]

What loop antenna do you recommend? I'm trying to receive an AM station that is approx 35 miles away. A car radio picks it up OK but not a regular AM radio. So I got this DX-286 and it works much better...but it could be better.

No recommendations. There's a lot of good info on this website if you search on loops.

They are pretty easy to build, also.

 

[Marchboom]

A 66ft long wire aerial is the typical recommendation for general listening. Use an insulator like a piece of plastic each end on the aerial span and bring the wire straight in.

I have approx 300' of single wire in the attic in a rectangle shape that I run to a GE Superadio and it works great. Would this be OK for the DX-286?

 

[Marchboom]

No recommendations. There's a lot of good info on this website if you search on loops.

They are pretty easy to build, also.

Great, thanks. (I'm new to this antenna stuff)

 

[KB2GOM]

I have both the Qodosen DX-286 and one of these: Terk AM Advantage

I connect the two with jumper with 3.5 mm plug on each end.

The combo works very well indeed for hunting faint stations, and it really brings out the best in the Qodosen.

The manual will tell you how to get the Qodosen to switch from the internal AM antenna to the external antenna socket. (I believe you press ond hold the RDS button while the radio is AM (medium wave) mode.

I've found that the Qodosen is a pretty hot performer on all bands.

 

[G6FGO]

I have approx 300' of single wire in the attic in a rectangle shape that I run to a GE Superadio and it works great. Would this be OK for the DX-286?

Try it, it is what amateur radio is all about. However, particularly at HF, an internal aerial is seldom a good choice as it will be prone to pick up all sorts of interference, yet be screened from the signal that you do want. An outside long wire aerial can be very discreet and if you put it up without spectators, nobody is likely to notice it afterwards. Try to align it so that your station of interest is broadside to the wire and don't get too fixated on technicalities, a few bends etc in the run is irrelevant.

If you get keen, you could look into building a little aerial preselector / ATU to improve matters.

 

[T680]

I have approx 300' of single wire in the attic in a rectangle shape that I run to a GE Superadio and it works great. Would this be OK for the DX-286?

I'm curious to see if the DX286 will pick up something the Superadio won't, please let us know.

 

[WA8ZTZ]

Look up how to make a box loop antenna. Easy to build and can be inductively coupled to any AM portable radio without overloading it.
A long random wire may improve reception but the downside is that you will hear stations from all directions which may cover the desired station. With a loop you have the ability to peak/null, wanted/unwanted stations.

 

[bearcatrp]

Grab a you loop and put it on the inside window using suction cups. Having a great time with mine. Inexpensive.

YouLoop Magnetic Antenna - AIRSPY

High Performance Magnetic Antenna for HF and VHF

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