Hellacrafters Short Wave Radio working on local am stations with static but..

[tkdguy]

Is there somebody local that can do me a favor and see if the short wave radio is working? I do not have a dipole antenna set up. Ideas? This is a 1960s era radio that was high end at the time. Ideas?

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[Jim Horn]

I'm not nearby but do let me know if you don't get any closer responses. I have a signal generator good to 60MHz that should do the job.

 

[tkdguy]

I'm not nearby but do let me know if you don't get any closer responses. I have a signal generator good to 60MHz that should do the job.

Great!

 

[Jim Horn]

Which Hallicrafters model do you have? I used an HT-40 transmitter and SX-140 receiver in the late '60s as a Novice ham (WN9DWM).

 

[salmon creek gary]

For a quick operational check, just hang at least 16 feet of wire from the antenna jack and tune across the 20 meter ham band (14 - 14.350 MHz) in late morning or afternoon. If it's working, your receiver should pick up some Morse signals and SSB conversations. At least 32 feet of wire should allow good reception on the 40 meter band (7 - 7.3 Mhz) in daytime or evenings, too.

 

[tkdguy]

For a quick operational check, just hang at least 16 feet of wire from the antenna jack and tune across the 20 meter ham band (14 - 14.350 MHz) in late morning or afternoon. If it's working, your receiver should pick up some Morse signals and SSB conversations. At least 32 feet of wire should allow good reception on the 40 meter band (7 - 7.3 Mhz) in daytime or evenings, too.

Great idea! What type of wire? Buy a dipole on Amazon or what else? Thx.

 

[RVTECH]

If you HAVE any, or can get a hold of some, get about 140' of plain ol' 75 ohm TV coax. and make a dipole out of it.

I have done this for my HF and get great reception. I don't know if it will allow me to transmit very well (as I do not have my general yet) but will try it when I do.

 

[tkdguy]

If you HAVE any, or can get a hold of some, get about 140' of plain ol' 75 ohm TV coax. and make a dipole out of it.

I have done this for my HF and get great reception. I don't know if it will allow me to transmit very well (as I do not have my general yet) but will try it when I do.

This is a Hallacrafters receiver. How long should the dipole be?

 

[RVTECH]

For just testing and receiving at least 50' but a full 140' gives the best performance for the complete range of HF frequencies.

Look up dipole antenna construction and you'll find some good info.

 

[elsie]

Is NIST still broadcasting WWV and WWVH? Many years ago I used to set the station clocks to their time codes. They transmitted on 5, 10, 15, and 20 Mhz.

elsie

 

[RVTECH]

Is NIST still broadcasting WWV and

Yes, but now it's called 'Coordinated universal time' .

 

[salmon creek gary]

Great idea! What type of wire? Buy a dipole on Amazon or what else? Thx.

Just wire.

This is just a temp setup for testing your radio, so any kind of scrounged up wire will do. Baling wire. Salvaged lamp cord. CAT5 cable. Telephone wire. Bell wire. Extension cords. Welding wire. Salvaged house wiring. For this purpose, the only wrong type of wire is the type that you have to pay for.

No need for your wire to be insulated or enameled (bare wire just needs to be supported away from metal objects or ground). It doesn't have to be elevated very high, either. There are many ways to temporarily hang the wire into the air a little bit. I've used broom sticks, wooden step ladders, PVC tubing, paint poles, and even the window curtains.

Once you know your radio is working OK, then you can learn about other antennas designed specifically to be a good impedance match to your equipment, or resonant at desired operating frequencies, or polarized to suit your operating objective. Those antennas might cost you some money, but oddly enough, you can make many of those yourself, too. In fact, many highly effective antennas can be made from the same sort of wire that you scrounged up for testing your receiver.

 

[crstrode]

I rest my case.