Complete novice starting out

[PNMac]

Hi, I've just joined your forum and as a complete beginner I will no doubt ask some pretty stupid questions, I hope not too annoying!

I live in the UK (Shetland) and had a (Sony) SW radio many years ago that I used to take with me when I was travelling - in order to listen to BBC World Service mainly. That's long gone but I fancied getting another one, not for any specific reason, other than scanning the airwaves to see what I can find.

I've bought a Tecsun PL-330 and I'll see how I get on with that to begin with. If my interest escalates I may consider something further up the ladder.

I live in a 300 year old former croft house with 3 feet thick stone walls and I'm expecting reception to be my initial problem so I'm thinking an external aerial may well be required.

Cheers, Paul

 

[kh6idf]

Hi Paul,

You should find plenty of things to listen to with that PL-330. It seems to get good reviews from people who own it.

An external antenna is almost a necessity, although you may pick up some signals inside the house. All you need is a reasonably long wire outside, brought in through a window, etc and connected to the radio's antenna input. Many places sell a wire antenna with a reel to wind it up and the matching plug on the end. Run it out to a tree branch, etc, the higher the better but doesn't have to be so high that it becomes dangerous to get it up there. The external antenna does two things, makes signals come in stronger plus reduces electronic noise originating inside the house. Result is a stronger signal against a quieter backgound.

Take the antenna in if any storms are predicted, or use a lightning arrestor like you would for an outside TV antenna. But with a simple wire antenna it's much easier to just take it inside.

When I got started as a shortwave listener in the 1970's, there were many foreign broadcast stations and it was a lot of fun. There are still stations now but not nearly as many since it is MUCH cheaper to broadcast over the internet.

Doon't forget to check out the amateur bands (I eventually became a ham operator after several years of shortwave listening). You radio can tune in single sideband signals, which are present on all the ham bands that radio can receive. Tuning them in takes a little practice but once you acquire the technique it's easy.

 

[PNMac]

Hi Paul,

You should find plenty of things to listen to with that PL-330. It seems to get good reviews from people who own it.

An external antenna is almost a necessity, although you may pick up some signals inside the house. All you need is a reasonably long wire outside, brought in through a window, etc and connected to the radio's antenna input. Many places sell a wire antenna with a reel to wind it up and the matching plug on the end. Run it out to a tree branch, etc, the higher the better but doesn't have to be so high that it becomes dangerous to get it up there. The external antenna does two things, makes signals come in stronger plus reduces electronic noise originating inside the house. Result is a stronger signal against a quieter backgound.

Take the antenna in if any storms are predicted, or use a lightning arrestor like you would for an outside TV antenna. But with a simple wire antenna it's much easier to just take it inside.

When I got started as a shortwave listener in the 1970's, there were many foreign broadcast stations and it was a lot of fun. There are still stations now but not nearly as many since it is MUCH cheaper to broadcast over the internet.

Doon't forget to check out the amateur bands (I eventually became a ham operator after several years of shortwave listening). You radio can tune in single sideband signals, which are present on all the ham bands that radio can receive. Tuning them in takes a little practice but once you acquire the technique it's easy.

Thank you for your reply.

The PL-330 is on the way by post and I expect it to be here in a couple of days. I can set up an external antenna as I have a large garden and no other houses nearby. I'll check what type of plug I need once it arrives and get something made up. I'll look at lightning arrestors as it will be easier than taking it in every time an electrical storm is predicted.