[Lowfer] Accidental Receive Antenna - What's Happening

[Craig]

When I lived in a noisy residential neighborhood I had an 80 ft vertical, and numerous HF dipoles.  I tried various ways to feed and tune for LW, like shorting the dipole feed to mak it a vertical with a top hat, etc.  

But nothing beat about 80 feet of insulated wire laying on the ground along the foundation of the house. It had low signal level even with a tuner, but the S/N ratio was much better. I also tried a similar wire atop a wood fence, but S/N was worse.  

Back then I was mostly monitoring European lw broadcasts and DX’ing NDBs from Modesto, CA.   

Craig, N6IO 

> On Jan 1, 2020, at 5:39 PM, Andy - KU4XR via Lowfer <lowfer at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi all:
> 
> After using this " Accidental Antenna " for a few days, and seeing consistent, and repeatable results; I am
> sharing the details of how it came about so that those who know antennas might offer some insight into 
> what is happening with it. Best results occur on 2200 meters, and 1750 meter - lowFER signals.
> 
> In as few words possible:
> 
> 80 foot RX wire, 8 ft AGL at window to shack, sloping up to 10 ft AGL at the far end.
> In shack, wire ran through Series fixed value Inductor and Air Variable Cap to ground.
> I adjust Cap for maximum noise level/ S-meter reading, or signal if I hear one.
> Large TX antenna is grounded ( by accident ) through an adjustable peaking coil.
> I found I can adjust the grounded coil and reduce noise to almost nothing, and audibly
> hear signals that were previously masked by the noise.
> 
> I am excited about my recently found receive capabilities. I'm curious what is happening with it.
> 
> Thanks for comments, and 73 - HNY to all:
> 
> Andy - KU4XR
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