Shortwave Antenna Options. How to get the most from your radio.

I’m just a dumb 16 year old who wants to get into CB and Shortwave and this dude basically answers all my questions.

Great advice and info ! I found that in the AM a cup of coffee helps my reception. :-)

Hi Eric, great video. So many people don't realize their antenna is every bit as important as their receiver.

Don't know how I missed this video, but I'm glad it finally showed up in my suggestions. I just got an OLD, OLD, OLD Hammarlund HQ-129-X receiver up and running. it was made in the late 40's. Didn't have the materials on-hand to throw up a proper longwire, so I attached about 15 feet of wire yanked out of an old automotive wire harness, hanging indoors from my kitchen ceiling. With this sub-par setup, I was tuning in shortwave broadcasts from Toronto, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago- and I'm about 60 miles north of Indianapolis. All on a radio that's a few years older than my mother!

Thanks, Eric! I just got my first SW radio yesterday, a Tecsun R9012, a small analog receiver, and ordered a Sangean external 'reel' wire antenna to go with it. It is a great little radio and the AM reception is fantastic. This morning I already ordered an upgrade, Tecsun PL-660. Very excited to get into SWLing. Thanks for the very helpful videos!

I have about 6 shortwave radios ranging from $15 up towards $500. The mla loop is the best thing that ever happened to me. In a pinch I will go with the Simple wire, But I prefer the antenna that you suggested and it works very well for me in the city Of South Portland Maine.

I can't put up a big outdoor antenna where I live, but I bought a magnetic loop antenna with a preamp similar to the one you show here and it was a game changer for sure. Only catch is you need a radio with the proper external antenna jack to hook it up. A couple of my smaller SW radios only have the internal telescopic antenna but the Eton Elite 750 has a few different connectors. The mag loop also works great for AM radio stations with the 750.

I get pretty excited when you post a new video. You speak well and keep it simple. I've learned alot about radio from your videos. Got me back into CB and feet hit the ground running. Everytime I hear the far point farms song in the beginning i have to go listen to the full version. Puts me In great mood. Big Z waving from Missouri.

Another great post Eric!!....I bought the MLA-30 after your initial review, and it's quite frankly amazing at bringing in stations and cutting out the interference, so it was a good shout chap!

I like your very helpful videos. Just ordered the Eton Elite 750 and MLA 30+. Your videos are super great. Thanks Terry

Awesome video. I started listening during desert storm, and then I kept listening to some of it .

Just some pointers for better reception on a long wire antenna. 1. Make sure you use coax if possible to connect the antenna and GROUND the shield part of the coax to a ground rod and connect the center coax to the long wire wire. It will be a big big improvement. 2 . Length of the wire makes a big difference longer is better , but it should not be a half wave of any band you want to listen to. Google for best lengths for long wire. 3. A cheep 9 to 1 unun used with the long wire makes it a multiple band powerhouse. Love your videos, good job AA4CP Chuck Fort Pierce FL

Great video, planning a swl setup myself. Keep up the great work, you are an asset to the radio community. 808 Central Delaware waving a hand!

I am going to get one. Thanks for the info. I got a corbra 142gtl from you with 2 switches on it. Tuned it up. It is one of the best corbra radios I have ever had thanks. Ironman in Alabama 73s

An active loop antenna is the way to go for anyone living in a built up area. Don't even try a long wire, it will pick up so much crap that you'll lose interest in short wave immediately. I've heard that advise so many times given to beginners: "Just throw a wire out the window, anything will work". No it won't. It's just gonna pick up the strongest stations such as China Radio International and a lot of static from your own house and from your neighbors' cheap electronic devices.

I was hoping you'd do one of these! Thanks Erik! I just picked up one of the ATS-20 radios you reviewed a few months ago. It easily picked up local AM/FM traffic as well as some CB radio. I live very close to the Turnpike in Ohio so I do get a decent amount of local traffic plus the Super Bowls!

Good info, I’ve had good and bad antennas, this hobby takes an effort!!

So many options with antenna, and some are real inexpensive, and easy to make.

Thank You Eric for all your videos..

Great job Eric , as a kid growing up I had a radio named sky baby, I used the metal clothes angers open them up & join it to the antenna