With any outdoor antenna, be aware of power line locations in the even that line may fail, or if your antenna may fail. Be aware too of possible lightning strike with any exposed antenna.
Otherwise, string the antenna broadside to the direction you want to hear. Use gray, or a light blue insulation on your wire. Get the antenna as high as is practical above the ground. Anchor the antenna in a manner that it will withstand the force of strong winds. Also assemble it in a way that you can disconnect and drop the end of the antenna at the house (if possible.)
Expect birds to sit on it (size your wire accordingly).
Keep your lead in in good condition- Ladder line or 300 ohm twin lead will work well if you are using an antenna and a counterpoise: One half of your "T" going to the antenna lead connection, and the other half going to the "A2" terminal- undo the ground strap. You can also use 6 inch or 12 inch "standoffs" if you simply use insulated wire.
If you are going to simply use "T" as a single wire to the antenna connection, you may want to also string a wire on one side or the other, to use as a counterpoise (this will allow you to increase rejection of unwanted signals that may interfere with your desired signals.
Keep things tidy, don't worry too much about exact lengths. Exact lengths only become real critical if you are going to try and transmit from the antenna. So, if the reference cites 75 -100 feet, and you have only 50, or have to settle for 150 for a length, don't worry too much about it. In general terms, the longer your antenna is, the better reception at lower frequencies, often with an improvement in higher frequencies to a point.
One thing about antennas, if you can hide it from casual sight, you can save yourself a lot of potential grief. If you are in an area where some station receptions are marginal, if a neighbor sees your antenna, they may sart to blame you for some of the poor reception- even though you are only using it as a recieving antenna.
Also, don't worry about the real expensive antennas when it comes to reception. Your Hallicrafters has a very sensitive front end, so amplified antennas are not going to help too much- you may get some additional signal strength, but you also get a fair amount of noise too.
Experiment with different orientations, configurations, end feeds, center feeds (which is what your "T" is), even give some of the fractals a try.
It never hurts to experiment, if your cash investment is in some PVC pipe, wood, rope, and wire- don't worry about what someone may or may not say about the design- build it, try it, and build again if need be- it's only wire.
: Someone recommended this antenna for my set ( Hallicrafters s-120-A ) any pro's and cons I should know about ?
: Thanks everyone, for your responses .
: Colin
Hi,
: If you are doing the one that is wrapped about a broom handle, it is "okay", but an outdoor antenna will outperform it every time.
: With any outdoor antenna, be aware of power line locations in the even that line may fail, or if your antenna may fail. Be aware too of possible lightning strike with any exposed antenna.
: Otherwise, string the antenna broadside to the direction you want to hear. Use gray, or a light blue insulation on your wire. Get the antenna as high as is practical above the ground. Anchor the antenna in a manner that it will withstand the force of strong winds. Also assemble it in a way that you can disconnect and drop the end of the antenna at the house (if possible.)
: Expect birds to sit on it (size your wire accordingly).
: Keep your lead in in good condition- Ladder line or 300 ohm twin lead will work well if you are using an antenna and a counterpoise: One half of your "T" going to the antenna lead connection, and the other half going to the "A2" terminal- undo the ground strap. You can also use 6 inch or 12 inch "standoffs" if you simply use insulated wire.
: If you are going to simply use "T" as a single wire to the antenna connection, you may want to also string a wire on one side or the other, to use as a counterpoise (this will allow you to increase rejection of unwanted signals that may interfere with your desired signals.
: Keep things tidy, don't worry too much about exact lengths. Exact lengths only become real critical if you are going to try and transmit from the antenna. So, if the reference cites 75 -100 feet, and you have only 50, or have to settle for 150 for a length, don't worry too much about it. In general terms, the longer your antenna is, the better reception at lower frequencies, often with an improvement in higher frequencies to a point.
: One thing about antennas, if you can hide it from casual sight, you can save yourself a lot of potential grief. If you are in an area where some station receptions are marginal, if a neighbor sees your antenna, they may sart to blame you for some of the poor reception- even though you are only using it as a recieving antenna.
: Also, don't worry about the real expensive antennas when it comes to reception. Your Hallicrafters has a very sensitive front end, so amplified antennas are not going to help too much- you may get some additional signal strength, but you also get a fair amount of noise too.
: Experiment with different orientations, configurations, end feeds, center feeds (which is what your "T" is), even give some of the fractals a try.
: It never hurts to experiment, if your cash investment is in some PVC pipe, wood, rope, and wire- don't worry about what someone may or may not say about the design- build it, try it, and build again if need be- it's only wire.
:
: : Someone recommended this antenna for my set ( Hallicrafters s-120-A ) any pro's and cons I should know about ?
: : Thanks everyone, for your responses .
: : Colin
: Would this be any more effective than the device you describe ?
: Thanks for the info
: Colin
: Hi,
: : If you are doing the one that is wrapped about a broom handle, it is "okay", but an outdoor antenna will outperform it every time.
: : With any outdoor antenna, be aware of power line locations in the even that line may fail, or if your antenna may fail. Be aware too of possible lightning strike with any exposed antenna.
: : Otherwise, string the antenna broadside to the direction you want to hear. Use gray, or a light blue insulation on your wire. Get the antenna as high as is practical above the ground. Anchor the antenna in a manner that it will withstand the force of strong winds. Also assemble it in a way that you can disconnect and drop the end of the antenna at the house (if possible.)
: : Expect birds to sit on it (size your wire accordingly).
: : Keep your lead in in good condition- Ladder line or 300 ohm twin lead will work well if you are using an antenna and a counterpoise: One half of your "T" going to the antenna lead connection, and the other half going to the "A2" terminal- undo the ground strap. You can also use 6 inch or 12 inch "standoffs" if you simply use insulated wire.
: : If you are going to simply use "T" as a single wire to the antenna connection, you may want to also string a wire on one side or the other, to use as a counterpoise (this will allow you to increase rejection of unwanted signals that may interfere with your desired signals.
: : Keep things tidy, don't worry too much about exact lengths. Exact lengths only become real critical if you are going to try and transmit from the antenna. So, if the reference cites 75 -100 feet, and you have only 50, or have to settle for 150 for a length, don't worry too much about it. In general terms, the longer your antenna is, the better reception at lower frequencies, often with an improvement in higher frequencies to a point.
: : One thing about antennas, if you can hide it from casual sight, you can save yourself a lot of potential grief. If you are in an area where some station receptions are marginal, if a neighbor sees your antenna, they may sart to blame you for some of the poor reception- even though you are only using it as a recieving antenna.
: : Also, don't worry about the real expensive antennas when it comes to reception. Your Hallicrafters has a very sensitive front end, so amplified antennas are not going to help too much- you may get some additional signal strength, but you also get a fair amount of noise too.
: : Experiment with different orientations, configurations, end feeds, center feeds (which is what your "T" is), even give some of the fractals a try.
: : It never hurts to experiment, if your cash investment is in some PVC pipe, wood, rope, and wire- don't worry about what someone may or may not say about the design- build it, try it, and build again if need be- it's only wire.
: :
: : : Someone recommended this antenna for my set ( Hallicrafters s-120-A ) any pro's and cons I should know about ?
: : : Thanks everyone, for your responses .
: : : Colin
The antenna you are talking about has traps and was designed for specific frequency ranges. If you want a general coverage antenna a long wire will be better and cost less. Have it as high and long as possible. John suggested 75 feet.
Norm
: : Heres the URL of the antenna I was talking about http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/0680.html
: : Would this be any more effective than the device you describe ?
: : Thanks for the info
: : Colin
: : Hi,
: : : If you are doing the one that is wrapped about a broom handle, it is "okay", but an outdoor antenna will outperform it every time.
: : : With any outdoor antenna, be aware of power line locations in the even that line may fail, or if your antenna may fail. Be aware too of possible lightning strike with any exposed antenna.
: : : Otherwise, string the antenna broadside to the direction you want to hear. Use gray, or a light blue insulation on your wire. Get the antenna as high as is practical above the ground. Anchor the antenna in a manner that it will withstand the force of strong winds. Also assemble it in a way that you can disconnect and drop the end of the antenna at the house (if possible.)
: : : Expect birds to sit on it (size your wire accordingly).
: : : Keep your lead in in good condition- Ladder line or 300 ohm twin lead will work well if you are using an antenna and a counterpoise: One half of your "T" going to the antenna lead connection, and the other half going to the "A2" terminal- undo the ground strap. You can also use 6 inch or 12 inch "standoffs" if you simply use insulated wire.
: : : If you are going to simply use "T" as a single wire to the antenna connection, you may want to also string a wire on one side or the other, to use as a counterpoise (this will allow you to increase rejection of unwanted signals that may interfere with your desired signals.
: : : Keep things tidy, don't worry too much about exact lengths. Exact lengths only become real critical if you are going to try and transmit from the antenna. So, if the reference cites 75 -100 feet, and you have only 50, or have to settle for 150 for a length, don't worry too much about it. In general terms, the longer your antenna is, the better reception at lower frequencies, often with an improvement in higher frequencies to a point.
: : : One thing about antennas, if you can hide it from casual sight, you can save yourself a lot of potential grief. If you are in an area where some station receptions are marginal, if a neighbor sees your antenna, they may sart to blame you for some of the poor reception- even though you are only using it as a recieving antenna.
: : : Also, don't worry about the real expensive antennas when it comes to reception. Your Hallicrafters has a very sensitive front end, so amplified antennas are not going to help too much- you may get some additional signal strength, but you also get a fair amount of noise too.
: : : Experiment with different orientations, configurations, end feeds, center feeds (which is what your "T" is), even give some of the fractals a try.
: : : It never hurts to experiment, if your cash investment is in some PVC pipe, wood, rope, and wire- don't worry about what someone may or may not say about the design- build it, try it, and build again if need be- it's only wire.
: : :
: : : : Someone recommended this antenna for my set ( Hallicrafters s-120-A ) any pro's and cons I should know about ?
: : : : Thanks everyone, for your responses .
: : : : Colin
The trap frequencies are going to improve reception in those wavelengths on the table, but it will attenuate the signals outside of those trap ranges.
If you want to listen for the "number counting stations", Military HF (Air force open channels, Coast Guard open channels, etc), foriegn military HF (I actually heard Hallifax reporting it's computer succumbing to the Y2K bug last year)- these were/are outside of the trap ranges.
Long wire is the fastest way also to get the radio up and running too. You will apreciate the reception on even short wire antennas.
: Hi Colin
: The antenna you are talking about has traps and was designed for specific frequency ranges. If you want a general coverage antenna a long wire will be better and cost less. Have it as high and long as possible. John suggested 75 feet.
: Norm
: : : Heres the URL of the antenna I was talking about http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/0680.html
: : : Would this be any more effective than the device you describe ?
: : : Thanks for the info
: : : Colin
:
: : : Hi,
: : : : If you are doing the one that is wrapped about a broom handle, it is "okay", but an outdoor antenna will outperform it every time.
:
: : : : With any outdoor antenna, be aware of power line locations in the even that line may fail, or if your antenna may fail. Be aware too of possible lightning strike with any exposed antenna.
:
: : : : Otherwise, string the antenna broadside to the direction you want to hear. Use gray, or a light blue insulation on your wire. Get the antenna as high as is practical above the ground. Anchor the antenna in a manner that it will withstand the force of strong winds. Also assemble it in a way that you can disconnect and drop the end of the antenna at the house (if possible.)
:
: : : : Expect birds to sit on it (size your wire accordingly).
:
: : : : Keep your lead in in good condition- Ladder line or 300 ohm twin lead will work well if you are using an antenna and a counterpoise: One half of your "T" going to the antenna lead connection, and the other half going to the "A2" terminal- undo the ground strap. You can also use 6 inch or 12 inch "standoffs" if you simply use insulated wire.
:
: : : : If you are going to simply use "T" as a single wire to the antenna connection, you may want to also string a wire on one side or the other, to use as a counterpoise (this will allow you to increase rejection of unwanted signals that may interfere with your desired signals.
:
: : : : Keep things tidy, don't worry too much about exact lengths. Exact lengths only become real critical if you are going to try and transmit from the antenna. So, if the reference cites 75 -100 feet, and you have only 50, or have to settle for 150 for a length, don't worry too much about it. In general terms, the longer your antenna is, the better reception at lower frequencies, often with an improvement in higher frequencies to a point.
:
: : : : One thing about antennas, if you can hide it from casual sight, you can save yourself a lot of potential grief. If you are in an area where some station receptions are marginal, if a neighbor sees your antenna, they may sart to blame you for some of the poor reception- even though you are only using it as a recieving antenna.
:
: : : : Also, don't worry about the real expensive antennas when it comes to reception. Your Hallicrafters has a very sensitive front end, so amplified antennas are not going to help too much- you may get some additional signal strength, but you also get a fair amount of noise too.
:
: : : : Experiment with different orientations, configurations, end feeds, center feeds (which is what your "T" is), even give some of the fractals a try.
:
: : : : It never hurts to experiment, if your cash investment is in some PVC pipe, wood, rope, and wire- don't worry about what someone may or may not say about the design- build it, try it, and build again if need be- it's only wire.
:
: : : :
: : : : : Someone recommended this antenna for my set ( Hallicrafters s-120-A ) any pro's and cons I should know about ?
: : : : : Thanks everyone, for your responses .
: : : : : Colin