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good antenna to dx

bigbrotherfan4ever said:
Hey do you know of any good antennas that are from Wal-Mart that would be good to dx with a radio?
Click to expand...

A lot depends on whether you are DX'ing AM, FM, or shortwave.

The last good AM antenna for DX was the Terk AM Advantage or its clone from Radio Shack. Other companies sell select-a-tenna and other box loops that are considerably more expensive - CCrane sells a twin coil loop that might be good. But nothing at Walmart.

I haven't seen anything there for FM either - it is possible you could order something on line for delivery to you local store. But do NOT order a TV antenna as expect it to do anything for FM. It needs to be FM only, at least 6 elements, preferably 10 or more. The APS-9 and APS-13 are highly favored for serious DX. I can personally get about 300 mile reception with a good FM antenna and tuner over flat terrain.
 
I'm interested in running a good receiving antenna for AM outside. Anyone who has had experience with this, I would appreciate suggestions. For example if you run a long wire how do you construct it? Any special tips? Can you buy ready made outdoor antennas that work well for DXing the AM band?
And do these antennas tend to be directional?

Thanks!
 
Over the years, I have had good success with AM reception by just running a single-strand wire outside. This may be a thing of the past, but many of the AM radios that I have dealt with in doing this have had one or even two terminals to connect an external antenna. I have tried to take it out a nearby window and up to a tree. I don't know how directional this may make the antenna (wire) so it may help to take it in several directions in trees or along the building as you can. I think getting it out away from the house, etc. helps get it away from interference such as: TV's, cable or internet wiring, florescent lights and inside appliances. As far as what kind of wire to use, I would suggest something single-strand with a copper wire center. Some older radios also have a connection for a ground. Sometimes using a ground can help lessen some forms of interference. Doing this could be as simple as connecting it to the screw holding the cover of the electrical outlet or to a metal stake or pole outside which goes down into the ground. I would suggest not using a water pipe for grounding. While this may do the job as far as the radio is concerned, someone touching a faucet or a hot/cold control anywhere in the house could receive a shock.
 
The Kids method is tried and true. An improvement on it is to use shielded coax (any will do) fron the radio antenna terminal to the outdoor longwire single strand (unshielded). This way little indoor contemporary interference is introduced. If you can, run the longwire antenna in an "L" or "V" pattern. This will make it less directional, as in a Beverage antenna.

If you're really industrious, run two coax tied connected to two long wires, about 50'...one N-S, one E-W, and choose for best reception, with the signals hitting them broadside.
 
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