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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!vrdxhq!dennis
From: dennis@vrdxhq.UUCP (R. Dennis Gibbs)
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Active antennas for shortwave listening
Message-ID: <2586@vrdxhq.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Feb-86 19:56:09 EST
Article-I.D.: vrdxhq.2586
Posted: Wed Feb 12 19:56:09 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Feb-86 06:26:16 EST
Organization: Verdix Corporation, Chantilly, VA
Lines: 29
Keywords: MFJ 1024, ICOM R71A


   I have recently returned to the hobby of shortwave listening after an absence
of over 10 years.  I recently bought an ICOM R71A receiver, which is far  better
than the National HRO-60 I used to use.  I am  having a  problem concerning  the
choice of a proper antenna for Shortwave Listening.

   I live in a third floor apartment.  Currently I am using a 30' length of wire
which lies around the perimeter of my listening room.  I am not permitted to run
wires outside my window, nor  am I allowed to  hang any wires  from my  balcony.
My only alternatives for an antenna are a long wire strung  around the  room, or
perhaps an active antenna.

   I am considering purchasing a remote active  antenna, such  as the  MFJ 1024.
This antenna is small enough (only 54 inches) to be mounted outside, on my  bal-
cony.  My other alternative is  to purchase an antenna tuner and attach  my  30'
length of wire to it.

   My question is: Which  will give  me better  performance, an  outdoor-mounted
active antenna, or an indoor 30 foot longwire antenna with an antenna tuner?  It
has always been my understanding that a  properly constructed long  wire antenna
mounted outdoors will outperform an  active antenna.  But  since my  "long wire"
antenna can only be 30 feet long, and can only be  indoors, I  am thinking  that
the outdoor active antenna might give me better performance in this case.

   I would appreciate  any opinions and advice concerning this  matter. 


                              Dennis Gibbs
                       ..!{umcp-cs, seismo, verdix}!vrdxhq!dennis