Shortwave Antennas

[shirsch101]

I just picked up an old Radio Shack DX-394 in mint condition. I connected it to my scanner’s outdoor discone antenna mounted 15 feet above ground. I was amazed how much that I was able to receive with it. The question I have will it work better with an end fed wire 50 to 80 feet long?
Also are there any owners of the DX-394 on this forum, if so have they ever had the DX394 modified?

 

[mmckenna]

Probably would work much better. Discone antennas that most scanner users have are only good on VHF or higher. The ones with the vertical whip on top give some performance around the 6 meter band.

A dipole, end fed, random wire, loop, etc. will give you better signal, but it also may get overwhelmed if there are strong AM broadcast stations nearby.

The fun part is that you can experiment with different shortwave antennas and see which ones work best for you. You don't need to just have -1- antenna. Get some wire and do a search on the different types and start fabricating. When I was young and had a short wave radio, I started with a alligator clip to the aluminum window frame. Then I tried some 22 gauge wire thumbtacked up around the top of the walls. Then it was a random length wire stapled along the fence. I've got an end fed wire at home with a matching transformer at the coax end, it does OK.

Lots of things to try, what works well for me may not for you...

 

[merlin]

Many years back, a buddy ham had a LW rhombic antenna. Just for kicks, he hooked up a Gonset 2 meter radio.
This required a tuner to match the antenna, but jeez, he had gain lobes all over the place.
So yea, something like an 88 foot long wire could give very good results.
Keep in mind, you will need a tuner or balun to match this to the scanner.

 

[merlin]

If not for having a good radio for general coverage, I would get one of these. Maybe not the newest kid on the block, but from reviews, these will go into history as a great reveiver.
My only gripe is they lack 6 meters.

 

[13dka]

Also are there any owners of the DX-394 on this forum, if so have they ever had the DX394 modified?

Monitor Internet - Radio Modifications - DX-394

Maybe not the newest kid on the block, but from reviews, these will go into history as a great reveiver.

The (magazine) reviews I remember found it as average as I did. I have owned one in the late 90s, in a situation where I had plenty of radios to compare it with and a 100kW AM station not far away to sift the chaff from the wheat regarding frontends.

The DX-394 is basically an average SSB SW portable of that era in a desktop body. It lacks preselection like most portables of the time so it couldn't cope with strong out-of-band signals (IOW long wires and active wideband antennas can overload it quite easily), sensitivity was OK, selectivity lacked a bit, there were a few quirks and it was handed down to me by someone who could not use it at all because he lived closer to that 100kW transmitter.

 

[shirsch101]

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[spongella]

Congrats on your mint RS DX-394. I had one years ago. You can go to Eham dot net for reviews.

Re' your question on the discone: it depends on the frequency range of the discone. Some cover down to 25 MHz but that won't do you much good because there's not many SW B'casting stations in the 25 - 26 MHz 11m band. You might pick up WWV on 25 MHz when band condx are favorable.

I echo the previous commenters. For starters I'd run a wire at least 30' long outside and see how you do. Try different lengths, heights and different directions. Or just buy a HF vertical ham radio antenna - it's omnidirectional. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[shirsch101]

Thanks for the advice

 

[ka3jjz]

The Yahoo group mentioned in the webpage is no more, of course, but the one on the popular groups.io server is up and running

main groups.io Group

A users group for the Tandy / Radio Shack / Realistic DX-394 General Coverage Communications Receiver. Most complete collection of mods, documentation, FAQ (frequently-asked-questions) and links to relevant sites. Hints and Tips from a helpful community of enthusiasts. Post your ideas...

radioshackdx394.groups.io

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

This is really the go-to as a starter HF receiving antenna....you can replace the wire with a longer length if you wish...

Par EndFedz® EF-SWL receive antenna

Vibroplex, Bencher, GHD and Hi-Mound Morse Code keys. INRAD headsets, microphones and filters. Par EndFedz EFHW antennas, Spiderbeam fiberglass poles. mAT-TUNER automatic antenna tuners, Easy-Rotor-Control rotator controllers, DX Patrol receivers

www.vibroplex.com

Mike

 

[shirsch101]

Thanks Mike

 

[Blueliner]

My Radio Shack DX-394 I bought new from a Radio Shack store, sits on the shelf above my desk. I also have the box it came in. It is semi retired now, but is as functional and is as good as it was the day it was new. Last antenna I used with it was an "EndFedz" which I still use from time to time with the SDR-Play I bought. I may try to improve my antenna placements this spring as they are too close to the ground and likely don't produce their best results that way.

With the DX - 394, I found it best to use either an aux speaker or headphones with it, as the top firing speaker is a little too "tinny" for my likes.
Good little radio though, in my opinion. Congrats on your acquisition!

 

[shirsch101]

Good idea I will try a separate speaker.

Thanks

 

[merlin]

This is really the go-to as a starter HF receiving antenna....you can replace the wire with a longer length if you wish...

Par EndFedz® EF-SWL receive antenna

Vibroplex, Bencher, GHD and Hi-Mound Morse Code keys. INRAD headsets, microphones and filters. Par EndFedz EFHW antennas, Spiderbeam fiberglass poles. mAT-TUNER automatic antenna tuners, Easy-Rotor-Control rotator controllers, DX Patrol receivers

www.vibroplex.com

Mike

You need a manual tuner, the 390 doesn't transmit.

 

[ka3jjz]

What makes you think that? This is a receive only antenna with a balun; no tuner needed

Mike

 

[Fast1eddie]

I have been using the Par End Fed for years. Have one in the attic now, works very well.

 

[bearcatrp]

I have been using the Par End Fed for years. Have one in the attic now, works very well.

Same hear. Just changed out the wire for a long wire in the back yard. Picked up a spool of wire from Home Depot. Works.