Speaking of antennas, you should note that in almost every case, shortwave reception will be substantially improved if you can attach an external antenna to your set. The familiar telescoping antennas which are standard equipment on most portable radios will do a very good job, but a simple external antenna can do a lot to improve your reception.

The antenna doesn’t need to be anything fancy. As long as you have an external antenna jack on your radio, any long length of light wire will serve as your shortwave signal grabber. Merely looping the wire along the baseboard in a room will work. So will running the wire out a window and out to a tree, bush, or post. An outside antenna will usually work a little better in improving reception, due to the fact that you are removing it from the network of electrical devices, wiring, plumbing, and metal structural members which can contribute to signal interference.

A simple way to convince you of the value of an external antenna is to tune in a fairly good shortwave station with the external antenna attached. Then unplug the external antenna, and you will probably hear the radio signal nearly or completely disappear. There is one thing to remember about using an outside antenna, though. If it is suspended much above the ground, then be sure to have a lightning arrestor hooked into the antenna between the antenna and the radio. This simple device will help to prevent electrical disasters. Regardless of the radio you decide to purchase, you will find a whole new world of music, news, and information waiting right at your fingertips. Those long winter evenings will become a lot more interesting as you sit with a hot cup, tuning the airwaves.

Tags: Antena
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