[PCR-1000] HF advice

[Skip Flem]

>I'm using a PCR1000 and wanting to listen to hf amature bands.
>
>I have a long  wire and a ATU which I have just setup and wanting to know=
 is
>the wire best at a certain lenth and has the wire to be straight and
>pointing a certain way.
  One of the neetest aspects of the long wire is that the name just about=20
describes it!
One long straight run shall be the more directive, (actually less signals);
  add a 90 dog leg and you'll pick up more signals (less directive).
  Two separate antennas, aimed 90=BA, would offer ideal coverage.
  Since HF amateur bands cover a range of 3.5 to 30 MHZ, NO one length
is PERFECT for all frequencies. Longer antennas will be more directive.
  Your ATU is a good help, since it reduces (tunes out) other frequencies=20
you're not
listening to, and also helps match the antenna to the radio.
>Also can you decrease the background noise.
The attenuator feature reduces ALL the signals so the radio. If you have=
 lots
of strong signals coming in to the receiver, the bottom line is MORE NOISE.
Minimize the signals at the antenna, and use lots of audio works best in
a noisy situation.
  When you want to get hardcore, find a JPS ANC-4 (now timewave.com
makes them) Antenna Noise-Phase Canceller.

  Notes about a longwire...
Disconnect the antenna during a near lightning storm. I mean 5-8 miles.
Terminating it to ground would be the safest. It will help discharge the
area, making a strike less likely.
Long wire antennas are high resistance, and the first place a 1000 Volt
spike finds ground is in your poor radio.
   (The same goes for telephone lines and modems. Balanced lines
pick up a lightning strike and the first place all the energy goes is
ground, in your computer...)
Also, trees are inherent lightning rods. Use 10 ft. of  plastic rope and
an insulator when using a tree or pole as a support. If a tree is conducting
a charge to ground, you don't want to offer an alternate path.
Grove-ent.com has lots of ideas for HF antennas.
Skip Flem, NT1G
  Hull, Massachusetts=20