Prepping Do It Yourself Tip Shortwave Long Wire Antenna

[@maxrockatanksyOG]

Did the same thing for my Digitech AR-1733 radio; alligator clip, 20 meters of 12v wire & a 1" x 6 meter PVC "antenna pole"; ran up the hill in the backyard and attached to a fence pole. Can pick up stations from the US, China, Phillipines, New Zealand and others, right here in Queensland, Australia

[@RFComms]

A metal slinky makes a great SWL antenna.

[@JoltCola]

During Hurricane Katrina, I was able to talk to the Naval Base at GITMO, North Carolina and even got some sporadic communications with a friend in Iowa. All from a cheap metal slinky as an antenna.

[@diremooninite]

Do you stretch it out how does that work?

[@RFComms]

@qetuoification I strectch it out keeping the coils semetrucal. On one end solder, the center conducter of your coax cable to the slinky. For improved performance, solder the shielding to a wire and attach it to the ground.

[@robertlansdown7606]

Wrap a old key ring witl electric tape , afix it about 6 inches from the top . Then you can run it up a flag pole.

[@nordmende73]

Thank you !

[@Iridium242]

You're welcome! Thank you for the support!

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

Only thing I would add is after you crimp and solder the eyelet on the end, use something to seal up the end to keep water from getting inside the jacket of the wire to corrode the wire. a few squirts of Flex Seal spray would do the trick.

[@the80hdgaming]

Solid electric fence wire is great for this application. It's cheap and you can get it in 1/4 mile length rolls.

[@philippef.4590]

Thank you

[@colinreece3452]

Years ago when I did SW DXing I was always messing about with antennas, had a few long wires going round the gardn and one on a tree. The long wire one on the tree I had on a pully so when the tree waved in the wind it didn't snap the wire. The wife at the time used to go mad at me messing about with this stuff.

[@mayuresh1704]

Nice information! Thanks!

[@Iridium242]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JohnL1950]

Just returned to SW since my teens in the 1960s. Thanks.

[@insanemainstream3633]

Great video! Just ordered my SDR dongle and hoping to get into this radio business. I'm a total noob but have to start somewhere 😃

[@hrdknox2000]

VERY cool and VERY simple! I shared it on FB as a fun project with the kids or a science fair project.

[@antalperge1007]

Nice, without even grounding and / or counterp. 👍

[@bobrobertson2090]

Great video just reaffirms what I've already done really like the stash of toilet paper.

[@pedromeza2398]

I recall this technic from 1970s ARMY days, and it works.

[@Radionut]

Yeah I also remember being taught this at school when I was going to communication school at Fort Devens Massachusetts. We used it many times in the field especially in Germany during Highwinds situation because a small wire caught less wind than a big Yaggy

[@mikek.3965]

One of the best for an easier s/w antenna. Thx!

[@alabamared2568]

Please don't take my comment out of context I'm not saying you're wrong. I knew this already but Callum did a video a bit ago he's a antenna manufacturer DX Commander... On the shortwave bands RX only the higher you antenna wire is off the ground the more noise or interference you will hear do the same dipole or long wire and just lay it on the ground SW bands work in reverse of Am reception or FM or whenever your transmitting. A straight line a square loop or L shaped in the ground it works better and you will do better than having your antenna in the air...was only trying to help. No you didn't ask but I wanted to share!!!

[@huntercarver1851]

In the evening my shortwave radio is FULL of activity below 10 MHz. I use one of those MLA-30 magnetic loops with a Digitech AR-1780..

[@proehm]

A friend, who was also an engineer, used to keep a "cut to length" piece of wire at each of his AM radio stations. Low Power (250 watts) on his "nighttime" transmitters warmed up the wire, but worked. Think about including a tennis ball for "placing" the paracord.

[@geomcc39]

tennis ball great idea !

[@usernamemykel]

He's demonstrating the any-length antenna for shortwave listening, not transmitting.

[@thevintageaudiolife]

Thank you for sharing, very interesting!

[@airvicemarshalsirgeorgemas2083]

Nice vid. Knowledge is power

[@ProsperInHealth]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Would the antenna work any better if the insulation was removed?

[@raccoonlittlebear6476]

Thank you for the great video. I just ordered a handheld SW radio & I want to try to build an antenna for it.👍👍

[@walleyvideo8297]

Thank you for a very informative video. I was wondering if a vertical or horizontal orientation made a difference. I have some empty plastic containers that I bought a stack of 100 blank CDs. I think a Tecsun PL-330 would fit inside & the antenna wire could wind around the outside of the container.

[@drcsep]

Outstanding

[@typeviic1]

Knowledge. Check. Supplies. Check Location of install. Check Wife "Eye Sore" approval.............

[@ukirfan]

a scrap fishing rod bobbin will wind and unwind antenna . good video

[@wanderingcalamity360]

Outstanding!

[@JNoMooreNumbers]

Cool. Got a hand cranked one. Was able to pick up chatter as is inside.

[@ronbianca1975]

Does one have to be concerned about attracting lightning? Good video!

[@craigbetts1586]

what a cool and simple project to make for an antenna, excellent video

[@anthonybrau7399]

Thanks for the information. I'll try it on my Realistic DX-150B.

[@grafton3073]

It’s a quick and simple addition to your radios! 👍🏻 I set up one a few years back that ran from my room window upstairs to an apple tree 30ft away. I also connected a copper rod to it as well into the ground. I think it helped as well with some east west noise. My set up was not as portable. But you can still get France and Japan frequently when the atmosphere was good with these wire antennae. If you can pick up a repeater sometimes. 🖖🏼

[@kingsoutdoors4379]

The Thumbs Down Guys clearly Have no clue , because These antennas work Amazing ,are inexpensive and work very well💯

[@2023Red]

Newbie to radio. If I got into ham and studied for the tests, I would to transmit too. Could you suggest specific components from brand with model to antennae. Budget maybe $1500. Thanks

[@Steven-re7xt]

I have a kit. Xh d-219. Radio. W/8 foot 16 gauge wire . Spare battery's. Head phone and gator clamp to connect to tip of lowered set antenna. On good days...the stations are tripping to get in 😊 tks

[@harryjohnson5118]

I like the idea of this and plan on getting the components to assemble. I'm curious though. Will this setup work in the suburbs of a large city? I live just outside of Memphis and am wondering if there would be too much RFI.

[@discountcodes]

Very helpful! :)💓

[@eldonfablinger8026]

It's interesting that you only used one side of an antenna. As with any electrical cirtuit there has to be a + (Plus) side and a - (negative/ground) side. Antennas are on different. for the best reception I recommend using two lengths of wire - one for the positive (+ or center lead) of the antenna and one to be attached to a common ground on the radio.

[@jonathaneastwood2927]

@@eldonfablinger8026 you don't really need to do that

[@labtennis0827]

How would one weather-proof this wire? Or would it be good-to-go? Mostly concerned about rain and winter as i would like to just leave this setup outside for several months at least.

[@davidjones1393]

THKS

[@timothyhawkins4233]

I use a cheap fly fishing reel. It can be cranked back in with speed and ease.but mine is 24awg.

[@greggaieck4808]

Lridium you have instresing information about instuling shortwave antenna 📻😎📻😎🎉🎉👍

[@jeyasheelaiyaraja330]

Can a long wire antenna work well with analog radio. Or should it be shortened?

[@reynradio]

Hi great video and your instructions nice and easy to follow. My only observation was you had some paracord but didn’t use it!! Best wishes from the uk

[@randy1862]

Great video George as always I always say this wanted to tell you a few days ago or maybe a week you done a video on I probably butcher the name hostman gorilla fire rod I ordered me a couple of them I am please just punch with them they are great wonderful product just wanted to tell your viewers if somebody is just stumbled up on your channel I have about several products on your recommendation you always have really good quality stuff at a good price if you suggest it and someone's interested in it I suggest they buy because you always do a good job thanks keep up the good work

[@Haddley333]

I'm interested in doing this, but lost as to why you had to solder the ends of the wire before putting the alligator clips on. Please share reasoning thank you.

[@sharonjuniorchess]

Its all to do with making a better electrical connection as well as making a mechanical connection. The solder covers the copper wire & protects it & prevents oxidation from the elements (air & water). By 'tinning' the wire i.e. putting solder on the wire before means that when you push the wire through the alligator clip & then crimp the clip around the wire if you then try to make a better connection with a bit more solder on the wire to the alligator clip it already has some solder on the wire so new solder can be added easily & it should make a better 'mechanical' connection between the clip & the wire than just crimping them together as well as better 'electrical' connection between the alligator clip & the wire.

[@bansheemania1692]

I. Notice, to get over air tv you only need the inside wire coax

[@briancroner3334]

If you add an earth ground it will improve reception greatly. If you can drive copper or steel rod or hook it up to a water pipe. The rod doesn't have to be all that long either. Good instructions, good video.

[@chriskaprys]

What part of this setup would that be? As in, if you can connect to a rod in the earth / water pipe, where would you connect the other end on the radio / antenna?

[@closeoutsaleusa5322]

@@chriskaprys for an antenna to work, you have to have an RF ground such as a counterpoise or a set of radials that is connected to the ground of radio. You just connect the earth ground to the RF ground that goes to your radio. I have found this does help reception.

[@dubiousdoublechin6363]

If i clipped this to an antenna on a handheld radio such as a UV5R or something similar in VHF/UHF, would I get similar results? Also can this be adjusted to make it suitable for transmitting on a certain band?

[@Iridium242]

For receive it might help some but not much, to transmit you would need a far better connection and need the wire cut to the right length depending on band you are using

[@radioman3229]

The lower to the ground the less interference (QRM), man made interference you will get. You can actualy lay it right on the ground and get the same performance on recieve as if you put it in the air. ty for the great video...73 NS9T.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Absolute beginner here with a tescun pl-330. Inside the appartement i get nothing but statics. Lots of equipment here and oh, about 50 wifi networks from me and other people.... Would this antenna work on a balcony, or do i simply need to go to a park? 😂

[@Iridium242]

Its perfect for a balcony, The higher you get it the better it will work!

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

@@Iridium242 oh hi, that was fast! This all started because i want to hear numberstations (not from internet or recordings). It just fascinates me. It's all rather a high learning curve lol Cheers! Greetz from the Netherlands

[@davestelling]

@@CyberBeep_kenshi I just received the same little Tecsun radio. My friend also sent along one of the wind-up antennas...I haven't been able to get anything other than static. Maybe I'll try something like this - appreciate your making this tutorial, thanks...

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

@@davestelling yeah, if you want to receive anything, find a park. if you live in a city like me, its not doable i fear

[@RoguePreparedness]

Gonna send this to husband, he'll def want to do it.

[@ramdel0396]

Where does the Paracord come into play ? Great video. Easy to follow ...Thank you 👍

[@Iridium242]

To hang the antenna off the ends. That's why I use paracord

[@GG-vx7gi]

Well done video. Ordered the the si4732. How would you rate this wire antenna vs the loop antenna from the previous video on the si4732?

[@Iridium242]

The loop works better of course but if I could get the wire high enough it would be pretty close.

[@keng8883]

I don’t know much about radio waves but I’m wondering if bare, non-insulated wire would work better?

[@Iridium242]

Nope wont matter in fact almost all my ham wire antennas are insulated and coated, just helps preserve the wire better

[@keng8883]

@@Iridium242 thanks, I’ll give it a go.

[@lujanjd]

Would that survival paracord that has snare wire inside work for an improvised shortwave extension?

[@AC9DJ]

That’s an interesting idea! I have a 50’ length of that with a copper wire. Will give it a try.

[@theforester3426]

Dose the antenna wire have to be insulated even if its attached to wood.?

[@Iridium242]

I would just to be safe

[@LTHanlon]

This is probably a dumb question, but I'll ask it anyway. A wire antenna doesn't need to be straight because the length is electrical, right?

[@HarshmanHills]

comms will help in any situation

[@renekalweit5976]

Lol I have the same hf radio

[@jefferyaldrich8207]

How long is best.

[@billymoretti8437]

Thanks for this I have the exact wire stripper and crimping tool (I didn't know the end was even a crimping tool lol) and soldering pen... you mentioned slot cars ( t jets?) That's also how I learned soldering..now I'm into SW ....small world

[@Iridium242]

Yup same here, I used to race Group 27s back in the day at a local raceway in NY, had a blast doing it, but then went to college and kind of lost interest in it. Soldering wires and slot car chassis was how I learned

[@geomcc39]

thanks for the tip ! some shortwave channel's are better at night ?

[@Iridium242]

Yeah the lower ones are better in the night and the higher are better in the day, that is the most basic idea, there are reasons why but it would take a bit to explain it all lol

[@williamkelly3413]

Where did you get the the radio the black one Arduino

[@Iridium242]

The link for it on Amazon is below in the description, Its a pretty neat litle radio AM.FM and shortwave

[@beachedbum8682]

@@Iridium242 The link is dead.

[@fordprefect80]

Will the antenna work better with bare wire or does having insulation make no difference?

[@Iridium242]

No difference

[@greggaieck4808]

Lridium my hobbys are painting pictures and lisining to shortwave and ssb iam thinking about getting my ham license I have 4 shortwave receivers

[@jasonwinter8716]

If you were to ground this, would you ground it at the radio end or the end furthest from the radio?

[@rjl9707]

Good question. I am asking the same. In the ground outside by the tree, or..?

[@greggaieck4808]

Lridium I like your utube videos

[@Knife_Collector]

For a simple wire antenna such as this, is there an optimum length? Can it be to long, or get into half and full wave lengths and cause an overload?

[@Iridium242]

I would say get it as long and as high as practical and safe, the higher the better

[@playdiamond5645]

Hey

[@Iridium242]

Hey!

[@greggaieck4808]

Lridium me and my cousin are going to a Swap meet in September 11 Sunday morning at 8 am in Milwaukee 2022

[@Radix.Strategy]

ATS-20 is very functional, recommended. And cute! KO4ZHT

[@christopher9727]

John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

Make this antenna and get it hung up. There is absolutely no shortage of shortwave religious programs on the air. (Not saying this to make a joke- just informing those that might be interested in religious programming from all over the country- and world!)

[@BurningtunaDC]

The billionaire Walton family thanks you for the free plug. Instead of buying things online please allow me to invite your viewers to visit their local stores (hopefully mom and pop) before they are all gone. Thanks for shooting a very easy to understand video for constructing a very simple and inexpensive shortwave antenna.