Indoor Shortwave Antenna choices

[Madisons]

Hello everyone,

Hopefully I am posting this question in the appropriate forum. If not kindly move it for me.
I have two SW receivers, a Ten-Tec RX 340 and an older Kenwood 5000. I am pretty much a "Techno Dummie" but do enjoy monitoring the SW bands.
I would really appreciate some input about suitable indoor antennas, either active or passive. I looked on Universal Radio's web site this am and saw several that have a 20db amplification. None of the amplified antennas were cost prohibitive for me. We, moved from a location that allowed a long wire antenna to one that makes an indoor antenna much more feasible. Also I am well past that stage in life where climbing ladders and trees is in my best interest.
Any and all advice would be appreciated.

Thanks...John~"Madisons"

[Madisons]

I tried a random wire strung around the den last evening and was able to pull in RCI. So for now I'm good. May hookup antenna tuner to experiment further.

[TXiceman]

How long of a wire are you wanting to put up and how big is the RV. You could use a push up pole of two on the RV or rig a loop around the top. Just some suggestions?

73 Ken

[Wayne M]

You don't have to climb trees or use a ladder.

Take a fishing pole with just a weight on it and toss it up over the highest limb(s) that you can and hoist up the long wire. You could even do a "sloper" from tree to tree.

I have pulled television antennas into trees before with a lead rope on the first element so I could use it as a rotator, then tie it off.

American Ingenuity.

As Ken said, just wrap a wire around your RV.

Remember, it's called "antenna theory," and some theory works better than others, but it is still theory.


Or just plug a wire coat hanger into the receiver antenna connector.

[wa8yxm]

I have used the random wire around the room too,,, I will tell you this. NO indoor antenna will perform as well as an outdoor one.

A good ground is very important to your antenna as well.

There are many ways to do an outdoor antenna that is not an antennna.. For example, load the rain gutters (ok you would not load 'em being as it's a receiver) Another option requies an attic.

A SLINKY (About 3 bucks at Wall Mart) is 85 feet f wire in a coil.. it is one of your best options. Still not as good as a long wire outdoors.

Last night when I went to load up my long wire (100' from motor home to flag pole (mine) to tree) it would not load.. Fixed it this AM. (Lose connection inside the auto-tuner)

I use a slinky at one campground that won't let me put up antennas. "off site"