Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!know!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!ucsd!ucbvax!hplabs!hpfcso!hpfcdj!myers
From: myers@hpfcdj.HP.COM (Bob Myers)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Preamp for WWV radio.
Message-ID: <17660089@hpfcdj.HP.COM>
Date: 16 Aug 90 17:02:59 GMT
References: <11370@medusa.cs.purdue.edu>
Organization: Hewlett Packard -- Fort Collins, CO
Lines: 28

>I have a WWV radio which interfaces to a computer on our network to
>provide us with an accurate time clock.  Due to recent construction
>nearby, our reception has gotten much worse.  The radio cannot maintain
>a good signal long enough or often enough to stay in High Spec mode.
>
>I was wondering whether a preamp would be effective in inproving the
>reception.  Local TV and Radio stores claim not to have a preamp for
>5 and 10 MHz signals, but it seems to me a preamp for a television
>should work.

Not necessarily; for one thing, a commercially-built TV preamp will likely
have a tuned stage in the front end which will eliminate signals below the
TV range, so as to help cut out interference.

For a good basic design for a HF preamp, I'd consult the ARRL's _Radio-
_Amateur's_Handbook_.  (When I was at Purdue, I'm pretty sure the engineering
library kept a current copy, or you might check with the ham club.)  For
example, my '81 copy has some good info in Chapter 8, "Receiving Systems."
It shouldn't be too hard to find someone there who can throw something
together.

You didn't mention, however, what type of antenna you're using.  You might
be able to get sufficient improvement in the signal simply by moving the
receiver or attaching a high, long wire as an external antenna.   

Bob M.  KC0EW    Purdue BSEE '79

Ft. Collins, CO   <---No problem getting WWV HERE!  :-)