Hello LFers & Lowfers,
I've been testing a 1200 foot end fed longwire mounted on
an existing fence-line and coupled to the receiver with a
3:1 turns ratio isolation transformer. The antenna is 3
feet off the ground, with the far end left un-terminated.
The "ground" for the cold end of the antenna winding is
a stainless steel screwnail driven into the trunk of a
cedar tree at ground level.
The antenna is aligned 50/230 degrees true, which from my
QTH favours Europe/UK off the front and the mid-west U.S.
off the back. Listening to ATC frequencies from Gander
and Shanwick in the 2500 to 3000 kHz. range, the longwire
is several S units stronger and MUCH quieter than my 80 M
inverted V.
On 500 kHz. I've been able to copy the XGR transmissions
with better signal strength than off my PA0RDT mini-whip
or untuned delta loop. The same holds true for listening
around the broadcast LW & MW bands or NDB chasing.
The greatest advantage is that signals are well above the
noise on the longwire.
Thinking outside the box can sometimes yield a surprising
result, if that's the only option you've got!
73, J.B., VE3EAR - VE3WZL
Solar and wind powered
Lowfer " EAR" 188.830
EN93dr
http://www.hurontel.on.ca/~weazle
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