Seeking reco’s on SWLing from NYC apt

[ihardouin]

Hi all,
With what’s been happening the last few weeks, I’ve gotten my Grundig YB 400 from the closet. One thing I’ve noticed since last using the radio is that interference, I presume from all the electronic devices used in our world now, is fierce. Would anyone have tips on how to minimize this, or optimize listening on an SW portable in an urban apartment building? I grew up in a suburban area where many signals came in loud and clear at night, and DXing throughout the day was possible. Now even trying to receive WWV on 5, 10, or 15 is challenging (interference/noise). It probably doesn’t help that I am on a lower floor in the building. I have a wire antenna in addition to the whip on the radio. Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

[GB46]

Hi all,
With what’s been happening the last few weeks, I’ve gotten my Grundig YB 400 from the closet. One thing I’ve noticed since last using the radio is that interference, I presume from all the electronic devices used in our world now, is fierce. Would anyone have tips on how to minimize this, or optimize listening on an SW portable in an urban apartment building? I grew up in a suburban area where many signals came in loud and clear at night, and DXing throughout the day was possible. Now even trying to receive WWV on 5, 10, or 15 is challenging (interference/noise). It probably doesn’t help that I am on a lower floor in the building. I have a wire antenna in addition to the whip on the radio. Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

I don't know if this would help, but one thing I've noticed while listening to shortwave on my portable in this apartment under the same -- or perhaps worse -- noise conditions is that the wire antenna doesn't help at all. If I'm hearing a weak signal using the whip antenna, plugging in the external antenna only increases the noise without significantly strengthening the signal, so that the station is much easier to hear with just the whip.

This apartment is roughly 30 ft. from the power lines running along the street in front of me, and also along one side of the building. Luckily I'm at the top floor of a wood-framed building, so that some signals are strong enough to make out above the noise level.

If you could move to a higher floor, or perhaps take your portable out on the roof (some buildings allow access to it), you'd likely notice a big difference. I spent a lot of time in NYC, having grown up in New Jersey, and noticed that lots of people used the rooftops for anything from sunbathing to hanging out their laundry to dry, not to mention the wealth of TV antennas, one for each apartment, before the advent of cable TV.

I haven't tried using the directional properties of a loop antenna to null out the noise, but the noise here comes from all directions and from all different sources.
Unfortunately, there's nothing more I could suggest, other than finding a new hobby.

 

[majoco]

Tune and listen to a KiwiSDR....

A Review of the KiwiSDR: 10 kHz – 30 MHz Wideband Network SDR

The KiwiSDR is a 14-bit wideband RX only HF software defined radio created by John Seamons (ZL/KF6VO) which has up to 32 MHz of bandwidth, so it can receive the entire 10 kHz - 30 MHz VLF/LF/MW/HF spectrum all at once. However, it is not a typical SDR as you do not connect the KiwiSDR directly...

www.rtl-sdr.com

 

[MDScanFan]

The apartment building likely has metal reinforcements in the walls and that will significantly limit reception. Do you have a balcony? Do you have access to position an antenna outside your window?

I recommend trying one of the inexpensive active loop antennas from ebay (ex MLA-30) to see if that helps your situation. A loop is not a cure all but it does provide some directionality that can be used to null out noise sources. In the past I have had good luck with using a loop in a hotel room that was noisy. I placed the loop near the window and turned it to null a noise source from the room.

I believe the YB400 has an external antenna jack. If so, you would likely have to buy an adapter to interface between the loop and radio.