short wave reception in HI?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

Dear TB2000 folks, I live in Hawaii on the Big Island, east side. My DH bought a short wave radio, and he used to use one occaisionally in Europe, so he's a little familiar with them. I have never touched or heard one. We have seen some directions about grounding, antennas, etc - and we will try to do some of it. BUT - if anyone has knowledge of how to receive anything in Hawaii - especially on the Big Island - I'd appreciate it. We are right next to 2 huge mountains. (PS - thanks Ed - it was nice to hear you when you came to Hilo months ago!) Aloha, Pram

-- Pramada (pram108@yahoo.com), December 25, 1999

Answers

String up a wire antenna, the longer the better. You will have reduced or little reception from the direction of the mountains, if you are too close to them. If you are more than a few miles from them the situation is better. If you live on the slope of one of them, you will get nothing from the direction of that peak. Good luck!

-- wfk (kb2fs@mindspring.com), December 25, 1999.

To make that long wire antenna work better, stretch it out at a 90 degree angle to the direction of where you want to recieve. This puts more of the antenna exposed to any signal from your desired transmitter site.

Another thing which really helps shortwave reception is a good earth ground. If your radio has a ground connection point, run a wire from there to a ground rod installed outside or to your home's water inlet pipe, but only if it is a metal pipe.

If you install a ground rod, remember the longer the better and if you can, moisten the ground around where you're hammering the rod down. Radio Shack usually carries ground rods and attaching clamps for your ground wire.

Good luck and happy listening.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), December 25, 1999.


In Europe, you're surrounded by shortwave broadcasters, some might be only a few tens of miles to a hundred miles away.

The situation is different in Hawai'i. Nearest stations are 3,000 miles away. As stated above, plan on at least 50 feet of wire for the antenna, a hundred would be even better. Stretch the wire high and straight.

During the day, receiption will be best ABOVE 10 mHz. At nightfall, listen below 10 mHz.

These are rough rules of thumb, I put some shortwave listening tips in a WRP about a year or so ago.

-- cory (kiyoinc@ibm.XOUT.net), December 25, 1999.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ