++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: "Don Wilhelm" From: "Don Wilhelm" To: "Jason Hissong" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Receiving Antennas Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002 22:25:06 -0500 Jason, There is no one answer to your antenna question. Some important parameters are: -- How much space do you have available? -- Must you conform to CCRs or town/county zoning requirements? -- How high can you get supports for your antenna? The best antenna for receiving is usually the best one for transmitting too (except for specialty antennas like direction finding or low noise antennas like the beverage). The ideal horizontal antenna would be a half wavelength high, and the best vertical antenna would be over a perfectly conducting ground (like salt water). For all other conditions, compromises must be made. Horizontal loop antennas are reported to work FB by many - just get a full wavelength loop of wire at the lowest frequency of interest up as high as possible - feed it direct with coax and enjoy on harmonically related bands, or feed it with ladder line or open wire feeders and an antenna tuner for use on most bands. Most of the low frequency antennas are capable of being built by anyone able to wield a tape measure and physically get the antenna hung from the supports. All it takes is wire and most any type of wire will do the job as long as it has sufficient mechanical strength to keep itself (and possibly the feedline) supported - copper is preferred since it is a good conductor - steel fencing wire is not a good choice, but can be used in a pinch and aluminum wire does not have sufficient srength. NEC requires antennas of a wire guage sufficient to stay up (mostly safety considerations), and #14 or #12 hard drawn copper meets their requirements in the lengths that we usually encounter for the ham bands. I'm not certain I have helped, but I did want to plug in a few items for you to ponder as you make a decision about the 'best' antenna for your purposes. 73, Don Wilhelm - Wake Forest, NC W3FPR home page: http://www.qsl.net/w3fpr/ QRP-L # 485 K2 SN 0020 mailto: w3fpr at arrl.net *** Life is what happens when you're making other plans -- Mike Cross *** ----- Original Message ----- > > Anyway, the real reason for this email is to find some good information on a > receiving antenna. I have been wanting to build one (I think there was some > loop based antennas out there you can build pretty cheap). The main reason > is for 160/80 Meters. However, if I can get other bands to work will be > fine as well. I want to make use of that nifty receive antenna connector on > the back :) Plus, to get better reception on the low bands. +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 21:30:00 -0500 From: "Dave" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" , brownh at hartford-hwp.com Subject: [123210] Re: The snake antenna The Snake antenna is used usually as a receiving ant. for the lower frequency hf bands like 80 meters or 160 meters The received signal is a much much lower level than an elavated antenna but most "noise" is absent. The signal is sometimes then amplified by the use of a simple external preamp. It is not a suitable transmitting antenna. you can read more on this in W1FB's antenna note book and ON4UN's low band dx hand book Hope this of a little help Dave W1QB ++++++++++++++++++++