Comment Re:Shortwave Array (Score 1) 116
Yes, it's pretty easy to build shortwave antennas. You can make simple ones out of wire (like a dipole or longwire) which work well but aren't very directional. You can move up to more complex antennas and, other than construction details, they're easy to build out of tubing or wire. Of course, making one that works over a wide frequency range is more difficult, and would require a log periodic antenna; with enough space, you could build a log periodic to cover 3-30 MHz without too much trouble.
If not having an antenna is all that's keeping you from shortwave listening, then buy a 100 foot spool of wire from Radio Shack, hook one end up to your receiver, and throw the other end over the nearest tree.
It's equally important, however, to ground the radio. Without a good ground, the radio can't perform up to its potential, no matter how good your antenna system is.
The ARRL (arrl.org) sells a number of excellent books on antenna design and construction.
If not having an antenna is all that's keeping you from shortwave listening, then buy a 100 foot spool of wire from Radio Shack, hook one end up to your receiver, and throw the other end over the nearest tree.
It's equally important, however, to ground the radio. Without a good ground, the radio can't perform up to its potential, no matter how good your antenna system is.
The ARRL (arrl.org) sells a number of excellent books on antenna design and construction.
