Hello Chris, and welcome   
      
   On Sat 2012-Jun-02 21:54, Chris Krascek (1:154/10) wrote to All:   
      
   CK> Okay all, have a question about long wire antennas. What is a safe   
   CK> length which will not load my radio down causing harm. I have a Sony   
   CK> portable. It does have an antenna jack but I would likely clip to   
   CK> top of existing antenna. In addition is there a certain   
   CK> configuration of antenna that would work best. Anyone have any   
   CK> experiance. I saw an article regarding the use of a 'UNUN' balin,   
   CK> wondering if this is needed.   
      
   I wouldn't worry about the unun for your application when   
   clipping to the existing whip antenna.  There are enough   
   compromises you'll be making just doing that to offset any   
   performance gains you might possibly get from the purchase   
   of the transformer, or the time spent winding your own.   
      
   I'd rethink that and try to use the external antenna   
   connections if possible.  But, chances are at a couple   
   hundred feet of wire just clipped to your telescoping whip   
   you're not going to harm performance.   
      
   One of your main factors is probably going to be with a   
   portable and an antenna wire clipped to that whip, or even   
   using the external antenna connection nearby strong signals   
   in the am broadcast band.  I'm assuming you're talking about the Sony ICF-2010   
   as your receiver.  I've used one a little   
   bit, a friend had it, and we used it when out camping, so   
   don't know how it performs when there's a nearby strong am   
   transmitter, but that could be a factor.   
      
   The Sony sw receivers are quite popular, but I'm not really   
   familiar.  YEt for shortwave listening i"m not all that   
   critical of such things, unless I plan to transmit on an   
   antenna usually I just throw something out there, and if it   
   doesn't work to my satisfaction try something different.   
   Often that' been just a loop of wire connected to the   
   antenna terminal of a receiver and either laid around the   
   edges of the room on the floor or hung near the ceiling.  IT also depends on   
   your interests a bit.  iF your main interest in sw broadcast listening you   
   probably don't need to be as   
   critical as you might if you're a ute chaser that wants to   
   catch those ships and planes, etcetera.   
      
   I hope you get soem other comments, especially from users of the Sony you've   
   got as they'll be able to give you more   
   specific pointers.   
      
      
      
   Regards,   
              Richard   
   ... Experience is directly proportional to ruined equipment. ---   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:116/901)