Subj : Antenna
To   : BEN RITCHEY
From : TOM WALKER
Date : Sun Jul 03 2005 10:08 am

BR>I have a weather radio that get's poor reception so I'd like to extend and/o
BR>complement the telescopic indoor antenna with an external antenna. I have a
BR>foot piece of insulated #12 copper wire I'd like to use. 1st question; does
BR>need to be bare wire? The entire length? By the time I feed outside, that's
BR>about 2 feet horizontal. Another 4.5 feet vertical to the eaves where I can
BR>turn and go horizontal for another "x" feet, up to 20 feet. Full wavelength
BR>a frequency of 162.5 MHz is exactly 6 feet (remainder less than an inch), so
BR>how long should I make "x" above? I cannot extend the vertical portion longe
BR>than 4.5 feet ...

 The wire does NOT have to be Bare. The RF waves don't care basicly
 about ant cloth or plastic insulation.
Adn the Lengths are not alos critical. But get it outside and as high as
possalbe in the shortest distance.
One point thouhg. A random wire antenna picks up lots of noise. so you
may not gain very much as you.
Yuo can do a quick test though. Sit the radi oon a table and stand at
arms length and touch rthe radio antenna with yuor fingers. IF you gat a
stronger signal the outside, or even higher placed antenna may be of
some help.
I sispect though that the probelm is with the Radio Itself .Those
Weather radios are notoriously LOUSy as far as reception goes. If the
bidget allows it a beter quality radio might be the best bet.
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