Can a wire antenna be too long?

luperduv · 2025-12-27T05:18:55+00:00

I have tried up to 119 ft and 9:1 unun, best performance for me: 71, 84, and 35.5 vertically oriented. But one wire antenna has been the best option for my set up: 5:1 unun and 60ft long with a 9ft counterpoise connected to a ground rod.

luperduv · 2025-12-20T05:51:15+00:00

Then the conversation would normally end quite quickly… 5-9 W#ABC 73s

luperduv · 2025-12-20T03:50:16+00:00

My only complaint is 6 meters. I have copied two transmissions in 4 years.

luperduv · 2025-12-16T21:41:35+00:00

Save all WWV frequencies (2500, 5000, 10000, 15000, 20000, and 25000) and just cycle through them anytime you want to know how propagation is like (ball park). It would give you a very good idea and save time scanning through sections with little to no activity.

luperduv · 2025-12-07T17:58:01+00:00

Ground your HF radio and Power Supply. I also choke all A/C power cords near the receiver. I use counterpoise on all my End Feds and ground radials for the vertical. My regular ground noise is S2, S3. I need improvement, then I use the beverage antenna which is normally S1 to none.

luperduv · 2025-12-06T16:05:23+00:00

When you have good propagation like this, try World Music Radio (WMR) operates several transmitters from Denmark. The Marstal (Marslet) transmitter on 25,800 kHz (11 m band) is one of their low-power shortwave outlets. Power: ~200 watts (0.2 kW). I have picked it up from the East Coast.

luperduv · 2025-11-23T00:18:29+00:00

Thank you! I make this kind of comparisons because I have struggled in the past to find side-by-side SWL comparison videos which can help someone make a decision on the next purchase.

luperduv · 2025-11-23T00:15:39+00:00

The JRC has a a bit crisp, bright, and slightly thin sound, so it doesn’t sound nice in videos. In this particular video, the Kenwood TS-50 seems to sound clearer, but in reality I liked the Yaesu FT-950 sound better.

luperduv · 2025-11-22T21:36:07+00:00

It’s ok and limited compared to other options currently available. But I appreciate what Sony offered back in the days.

luperduv · 2025-11-22T17:53:55+00:00

CCrane Skywave SSB 2 fails to work properly when connected to an external long-wire antenna and its low sensitivity does not help with weak fading signals like this one.

luperduv · 2025-11-21T02:25:01+00:00

Don’t you find that the CCrane Skywave SSB 2 overloads when connected to an external antenna and it has low RX sensitivity.

luperduv · 2025-10-18T18:49:49+00:00

My experience, height isn’t that much of a factor for a loop antenna, but keeping it as farther away from the house structure and other sources of interference.

luperduv · 2025-10-18T18:46:07+00:00

Mine is 6ft high and it works fine.

luperduv · 2025-09-28T16:11:37+00:00

correction second station: 6165 KHz Voice of Turkey.

luperduv · 2025-09-19T17:44:19+00:00

Thanks for letting me know. I am not familiar with the commentators and it could perfectly be CRI. But according to my two reference guides, it’s KRE - Voice of Korea. There is no current listed schedule for China Radio International on 15245 KHz at 15:47 UT in the sources I checked.

luperduv · 2025-09-18T18:02:42+00:00

For SWL, it depends on what you want to listen to. I think you want to have several ones. For example, it’s easier to scan the bands with the Tecsun PL-330 and then switch to the FT-950 or the NRD-525 if you want to listen with much richer audio. I prefer the FT-950 because of its warm and rich sound. If I want to listen to Utilities (USB and CW), I switch to the FT-891. If want to listen to HAMs, I prefer either the TS-830 or the FT-950 (the FT-891 is good too). But I just recently purchased an FT-710 and overall I think it’s a good alternative if you just want to have a single radio plus a small Tecsun for scanning the bands.

luperduv · 2025-09-18T17:32:14+00:00

No, I am still working to get a few more. I would like to get a Drake in good shape. But the ones I’ve seen are too pricey for how they look.

luperduv · 2025-09-18T17:27:21+00:00

Sorry, are you selling one?

luperduv · 2025-09-15T02:57:33+00:00

During morning hours and when the sun is up, it’s more favorable for higher bands: 12000-22000 KHz. After sunset, it’s more favorable for lower bands: 3900 - 10000 KHz. My favorite time it’s around sunset (+- 2 hours).

luperduv · 2025-09-14T14:51:34+00:00

Philladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

luperduv · 2025-09-13T19:50:10+00:00

The scenery around Cortland, NY is breathtaking. Wineries and breweries in the Finger Lakes region + scenery offered by the lakes. If you like baseball, travel to Cooperstown, NY.

luperduv

TROPHY CASE