The problem with a dipole is that it basically for one band only, although a dipole for 7 MHz can be used on 3 times that i.e. 21 MHz. For a starting set up, especially as you'll only be listening, I would use a random length of wire of any length you can get - 80 odd feet always worked well for me - and fed via an antenna tuner. The tuner needs an earth, the best you can do - not just a bit of wire in the ground, although I've worked very succesfully with a water pipe earth. Some 4 foot lengths of copper pipe, driven in about 6 feet apart and conencted by the heaviest gauge copper wire you can get/afford, but not braid. Probably the simplest tuner (unless you make your own) is the Z match. Examples aren't made any more but are frequently available on E bay as the KW E-Z match, the KW107 and the KW109. Also worth the joining the KW Radios list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KW_Radios/) - such things appear there, too. Can be anything up to £100, depending on model. The Z match is easier to tune than the more popular T match such as made by MFJ and others in the US. On the other hand, for years I used a home made tuner for which I admittedly scrounged the coil and the piece of floorboard it was all built on, but the total cost was about one shilling after buying stuff in the local club junk sale, and it did everything that a expensive commercial one would do, except look pretty. Of course, you could build one - it's not difficult once you have the capacitors, especially if you have any machinery available. That was 1969, so it would cost rather more now! If getting a good earth isn't possible, especially with a Z match tuner, you can use what is called a 'W3EDP antenna' adfter the inventor. This has 83 feet of wire on one side of the tuner, and other side a 'counterpoise' - a piece of insulated wire run out, low down, not necessarily even in a straight line, and of differing lengths for each band. I'd suggest you get the books from RSGB to getting the amateur licence - there's a book for each class. Also the older RSGB Radio Communication Handbooks, especially the ones from the 1970s are a bit better on antennas, and, I feel, on basics. Likewise the older ARRL (American Radio Relay League) handbooks. The RSGB books 'HF Antennas for all locations' by Moxon, and the 'HF antenna collection' by Davidare useful, too. The library should be able to get them. The only commercial antennas I've ever had were a trap vertcial which was useless, and Yagi (beam) antennas. All the others are home brew. Peter G3RZP =======================================Message Received: Apr 28 2012, 07:56 AM From: "kenny macdougall" To: modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: Subject: [modeleng] Re: TRIO TS530S HF Transceiver Hi Hams, I am getting frustrated about all the different types off antennas, would this do for my rig. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item0786525204 Kenny Skye ----- Original Message ----- From: "stepney" To: Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 9:27 PM Subject: [modeleng] Re: TRIO TS530S HF Transceiver > Kenny, > http://www.ac6v.com/antprojects.htm > is one place to start. > > However, one of the simplest and most efficieint aerials is 132ft of > wire, either spliy into two 66ft legths, and the centre connected to the > rig, or else the entire length connected at one end. > An earth is important, a copper rod (a piecce of tube works well) > hammered into the ground. > > Alan > On 04/04/2012 16:34, kenny macdougall wrote: >> Alan, >> Where do i start, sounds a bit complicated to me, can you please point me >> in >> the right direction. >> Kenny >> > > MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, > modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > line. MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line. MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.