Antenna for Alinco Dx r8e

[acl777]

Hi. I've just bought the above receiver but don't have an antenna. I want to Dx both mw and sw. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Incidently I live in a flat with a small balcony so I can't buy anything too large or intruding to neighbours.

 

[ka3jjz]

Do you have access to a loft (we would call it an attic?) Often you can put something up there that will work just fine. Even an accessible crawlspace would work

It would be better to put it outside, away from the building (and all the noise sources that go along with it), but that's obviously not possible.

Much as I dislike them, active antennas are a decent choice in situations like this one, if you don't have access to a loft. We have an article in our wiki that touches on some of the issues...

Active Antennas KB6RWX - The RadioReference Wiki

Another possibility would be some real thin wire out to a tree - but I am dubious of such an arrangement standing up to a winter storm...Mike

 

[acl777]

Thanks. I will definatley have to go for an active antenna. Is there any particular one that you'd recommend . I currently have a 0 to 30 MHz magmount which actually works ok on HF but can only pick up strong locals on MW. I was hoping to Dx some of your stations as at this time of year we share a transatlantic path of darkness between 11 at night to about 6 in the morning.E

 

[ka3jjz]

Indeed I would, if you can swing the expense - Wellbrook antennas are famous, and they're in your back yard, for all intents and purposes. You'd need to hunt to find a dealer, but here's their direct website...

Wellbrook Communications Loop Antennas for radio reception medium wave, long wave, short wave DXing

HTH...Mike

 

[acl777]

Ah the wellbrook. I've heard of these. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get one sometime. I've only just bitten the bullet and bought an Alinco Dx r8e which was expensive but a good long term investment. Thanks for the link.

 

[Turbo68]

Hi and welcome to the rr forums congratulations on the new Alinco DX-R8 hf receiver do have 2 myself main intrest for me is monitoring hf aero,utilities performance is excellent,These are my Youtube videos radio is hooked up to a Wellbrook-ALA1530 Active Loop and in the future you may also wanna invest in a bhi dsp speaker and have a look the first video with no dsp speaker and the next 2 videos with dsp massive difference in sound and clarity..

HF Aircraft - YouTube
HF Aircraft - YouTube
HF Aircraft - YouTube


Regards Lino..

 

[acl777]

Hi. Thanks for the links. I don't have you tube on my phone so will view your videos from a computer at work tommorow. I know I will have to get a wellbrook to maximise Dx potential but in the short term can you recommend anything cheaper. I'm also getting a lot of hash on my Alinco particularly on weak signals and it can't be my psu as its a Watson non switch mode so it must be the coax on my cheap magmount. Have you experienced this?

 

[Turbo68]

Hi run both my Alinco on a Manson 23amp switch mode power supply only thing iv noticed is that the E model is better than the T model in performance..

Regards Lino..