HEllo Chris,   
      
   On Sun 2012-Jun-03 20:38, Chris Krascek (1:154/10) wrote to All:   
      
   CK> The shortwave radio I have is a Sony 7600GR. I appriciate the   
   CK> replies. So, I'm thinking of stringing 50feet, from my window to a   
   CK> tree. Now, would I need a ground too? There are many articles but no   
   CK> one has said what works. I picked up an antenna book from the   
   CK> library and it talks about cutting 4-5 different lengths to pick up   
   CK> different bands. I just wanted to do the long wire in hopes of   
   CK> getting better reception. I could use the jack in the radio but I'm   
   CK> worried about harming it compared to just hooking to the whip.   
   I wouldn't think for listening purposes you'd really need to worry about a   
   ground, but again, try it both ways.  I've   
   doen just random length longwires for receiving without   
   worrying about a ground over the years.  I'd still opt for   
   using the regular antenna connection over connecting to the   
   whip.  Remember that the whip is (as much as can be)   
   optimized for the radio standing alone, i.e. fully extended, etc.  You'll   
   probably get better performance from your   
   longwire connecting to the external antenna connection.   
      
   That's the beauty of shortwave listening, experimentation is low cost.  YOu   
   can always string that initial 50 foot wire   
   to a tree, and later on play with other antenna   
   configurations as the mood strikes, and have a base line to   
   compare with.  Since you're not transmitting and looking for reception on a   
   broad range of frequencies I wouldn't try to   
   delve too deeply at first, but that 50 foot long wire will   
   give you great improvements over the built-in whip antenna.   
      
   Just in case you weren't aware, remember that if/when you do decide to listen   
   to the am broadcast band using your   
   shortwave receiver usually those still default to the   
   ferrite loop am bc band antenna inside the radio, and not   
   the whip.  Often this is your default *over* the external   
   antenna as well.  Check your radio's docs if you're somewhat interested in am   
   bc band dxing as well.   
      
   I'll bet you the antenna book you got at the library was the arrl antenna   
   book.  Even if not, a lot of these can   
   overwhelm the beginner with info.  You'll find a  good deal   
   of improvement over your whip antenna just with the   
   longwire, especially if you connect it directly to the radio isntead of   
   clipped to the whip.  Termination, impedance   
   matching etc. isn't real critical for you in a receiver   
   application.  So long as you're not plagued by nearby strong signals you'll   
   imediately see benefits, and can then play   
   with ideas you get from those antenna references, etc.   
      
   CK> Perhaps it is all just 'trial and error' but no more knowlege before   
   CK> hand the better.    
      
   Indeed it is, but it can overwhelm you.  In this case   
   though, jump in, get that wire out there, and if you find a   
   certain broadcaster or service really sparks your interest   
   then you can go seeking additional knowledge to enhance your reception of that   
   broadcaster or service, such as resonant   
   antennas for your frequency of interest, etc.  There's so   
   much to learn that it's easy to become overwhelmed, and not   
   do anything but pore over the books and decide that it   
   wasn't as much fun as you thought it would be.   
      
   SO, string that wire, hook it up, then if you find a   
   convenient point,  install the ground wire, see if received   
   signals improve, if not, disconnect it.   
      
   Antennas can be a lifelong pursuit for one too.  Debates   
   about the merits of this one or that one can become almost   
   theological .  Don't believe me, listen to a bunch of   
   hams gathered on the air or for coffee somewhere .   
      
   Welcome aboard, glad you wandered into the echo.  FEel free   
   to keep asking questions.  Don't let it surprise you if you   
   get contradictory answers for some of them, especially on   
   the topic of antennas.  Some guys agonize about terminating   
   everything properly and doing it all according to the books, even for   
   receiving.  me, for receive antennas only I'm about just getting something out   
   there, and find that just about   
   any random wire will improve over the antennas that the   
   manufacturer provides with a sw receiver.   
      
      
   Regards,   
              Richard   
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    * Origin:  (1:116/901)