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Longwave nighttime propagation questions

Jim:

After using and comparing the 20 inch vs. the 14 inch loop,it
appears that if you can hear it with the 20 inch,you can hear it with
the 14,only weaker.

Of course that's not earth-shaking :rolleyes: but the gain increase is not one third,
it's probably around 20 per cent.

Bottom line is that for most users the standard 14 inch will do nicely.

Another thing to keep in mind is that location matters...there are "hot"
LW places inside your house that have lower noise and stronger signals.
 
Last edited:
rtc said:
Jim:

After using and comparing the 20 inch vs. the 14 inch loop,it
appears that if you can hear it with the 20 inch,you can hear it with
the 14,only weaker.

Of course that's not earth-shaking :rolleyes: but the gain increase is not one third,
it's probably around 20 per cent.

Bottom line is that for most users the standard 14 inch will do nicely.

Another thing to keep in mind is that location matters...there are "hot"
LW places inside your house that have lower noise and stronger signals.
Click to expand...

Thanks again, RTC. The 14" loop is definitely on my list of upcoming purchases. It will be interesting to see if it allows my Sony 7600GR to run with the ICF-2010. One thing I have noticed with the 2010 is that it's less prone to images of AM stations on LW than the 7600, which is one reason it's allowed me to log some new beacons.

As for the "hot" locations around my house, I've been having fun figuring out those spots. I usually DX in the radio room at the front of my house. It's the most RFI-free location with the exception of the (less convenient) space right next to my front door. Of course out in the yard about 20 feet from the house is even better.
 
Jim:

Here is another passive antenna you may want to consider:

http://dxtools.com/QStick.htm

It covers LW and MW (AM),uses a custom wound 7.5 inch ferrite bar.
Cost is currently $59+$7 Priority Mail.

As good as the PK 14 inch loop?

No.

But...I have long suspected a "co-coupling" effect when used with the PK loop.
Confirmed it this morning on a test NDB...with the Q-Stick placed as shown
in the link,and the PK about one inch above your set (it could be sitting on
a non-conductor like Styrofoam,etc.) there is a definite increase in gain over
just the loop alone.

Where it gets intriguing is that gain increase is about what the 20 inch loop
offers...so this method is less expensive,more versatile,and so forth.

Stumbled across it some time back,now you know... .
 
Last edited:
rtc said:
Jim:

Here is another passive antenna you may want to consider:

http://dxtools.com/QStick.htm

It covers LW and MW (AM),uses a custom wound 7.5 inch ferrite bar.
Cost is currently $59+$7 Priority Mail.

As good as the PK 14 inch loop?

No.

But...I have long suspected a "co-coupling" effect when used with the PK loop.
Confirmed it this morning on a test NDB...with the Q-Stick placed as shown
in the link,and the PK about one inch above your set (it could be sitting on
a non-conductor like Styrofoam,etc.) there is a definite increase in gain over
just the loop alone.

Where it gets intriguing is that gain increase is about what the 20 inch loop
offers...so this method is less expensive,more versatile,and so forth.

Stumbled across it some time back,now you know... .
Click to expand...

Thanks, RTC. I think I may spring for this antenna first. I like the fact that it works all the way up through the AM band and that you can plug an antenna into it. Also, I'm intrigued by the co-coupling possibilities and the Q-Stick's advertised ability to provide "poor man's" phasing.
 
I am not sure if this is the thread I wanted to reply to, but I have been searching for a pic like this for about four months.
It deals with how LW stations in Europe really were both domestic and multinational.
Check out this French radio dial.

FR.1 162 France Inter ___ (Allouise, FR)
EUR. 183 Europe-1 _ (Felsberg-Berus, DE)
BBC. 198 BBC-4 ________ (Droitwitch, UK)
M.C. 216 R. Monte Carlo_ (Roumoules, FR)
LUX. 234 R. Luxembourgh (Beidweiler, LU)
KAL. 243 DR Langbølge _ (Kalundborg, DK)
LAH. 252 YLE Radio-1 _______ (Lahti, FI)

The first, second, fourth, and fifth stations broadcast to France in French, but are now mostly listened to and carried on FM and DAB.
 
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If you are looking for more rx pix like that,try the Antique Radio Forum
or the swling post...both occasionally have sets like this.

The BBC on 198 khz and France Inter on 162 are the only ones left
on that dial now IIRC...and both are going the way of the dodo bird.

Medi-1 in Algiers on 171 is still going strong,though.
 
Euro DX'ers must be getting their kicks from the Mongolian stations and their real highs from NDB's across the pond.
Here is a similar early European car radio with longwave stations but the FM only went up to 104.
 
Last edited:
joebtsflk1 said:
Any explanations for the radio's MF, PO and GO labels?
Click to expand...
The car is a French Citröen, so check Google Translate
MF is FM (probably something like Modulated Frequency)
PO is MW (maybe Pretty Ordinary)
GO is LW (maybe Gone Overboard)

I cannot do the rest from this phone.
 
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The "O" stands for Ondes, or waves...so it could be Petite Ondes, or "little waves" and Grande Ondes for Long waves.
 
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