I need advise on an indoor antenna alternative

[racin06]

I recently purchased the Sangean ATS-909 portable shortwave receiver. The 909 came with the reel antenna which I am currently using. However, I'm looking for a better indoor antenna alternative to increase the reception of my receiver. An outside antenna is not an alternative for me because of restrictions of my local homeowners association.

Here is the antenna I am looking at purchasing: http://universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/0238.html . It's not cheap ($198.00) and I want to make sure my money is well spent in investing in a good antenna. Will this antenna make that much more difference than the reel antenna I am currently using? Also, I would appreciate any other recommendations for inside antennas. Thanks.

 

[astrodanco]

An outside antenna is not an alternative for me because of restrictions of my local homeowners association

I recently overheard two hams talking about just such a situation. The first ham was trying to explain to the second ham how to construct a low wire antenna on and over his roof using insulators such that the installation would not be noticed by his neighbors. Although the entire arrangement sounded like a good viable alternative to me (and easy to implement), I don't recall all the details. You might want to contact hams in your area (join a ham club) that live in similar circumstances what they've done. BTW, it was mentioned by (sneaky) ham number one that this time of year is the pefect time to be up on our roof without raising suspicion. If anyone asks, just tell them you're putting up christmas lights.

 

[SAR923]

I have no idea how the antenna in the link performs but the price is outrageous. You can buy many indoor active antennas for much less. For example, the Vectronics AT-100 is both an active antenna and will work as an antenna tuner if you put up an outdoor antenna. You can find it at http://www.usa.shortwavestore.com/vectronics-at100.html and it's only $75 and works very well.

The OP has a the right idea. You only need a one or two foot mast to support a long wire antenna above your roof. You can use a thin wire like 16 gauge bare copper wire with an insulator at each end and then center or end feed the antenna to your radio. The whole installation is almost invisible and now is a good time to be climbing around on your roof if you've got some Christmas lights in your hand as well.

 

[leftystrat]

Yes, the AOR will probably work just fine, but it's a bit expensive for my tastes.

If you're the curious type, try experimenting with different kinds of antennas. You can use almost invisible wire outdoors, look up a Ventenna, try a Slinky dipole, wrap wire around the roof of your room a number of times, and all sorts of other things. Might be worth a try.