[Elecraft] Recieve antennas in an Urban area

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Many Hams report excellent results using a wire on the ground, but insulated
from it, for receiving where local noise is a problem. The signal-to-noise
ratio at the ground is typically much better than when the wire is elevated
as in a normal antenna. 

Of course, signal levels will drop too, but it's the S/N ratio that counts.
Any decent receiver, like the K2, has more than enough gain to make up for
the reduced signal. Just turn the preamp on to pick up nearly 20 dB excess
gain. Most such on-ground antennas are reported to show between 10 and 15 dB
lower signal than a comparable antenna up in the clear. 

With a small lot I suggest running a wire around the perimeter making it as
long as you can and connect one end to your rig. Be sure the wire is
insulated from the earth itself. Run it along a fence just above the ground
or use insulated wire lying on the ground. 

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Richard Thorne
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 8:53 AM
To: Elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] Recieve antennas in an Urban area


Just curious what others are using for receive antennas.  I have a 
vertical mounted on my rear fence which does a nice job transmitting, 
but it gets a bit noisy some times.  I use an SGC-239 tuner at the base 
and it tunes from 10 through 80.

I've looked at the Wellbrook loops and they look interesting 
http://www.wellbrook.uk.com/products.html#ALA1530  I have a small back 
yard so the larger K9AY loops are not an option.

The other antenna I've looked at is the DX Engineering active antennas.
http://www.dxengineering.com/Products.asp?ID=220&SecID=79&DeptID=12

I could mount either of these antennas on my chimney and use a small 
rotor to rotate them for directivity.

My current interest is 80/40/30 meters but that will start changing as 
the new sunspot cycle starts.

So what is the group using for receive antenna's?

Rich - N5ZC



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