Hooking Shortwave into the Winegard Antenna? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hooking Shortwave into the Winegard Antenna?

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jane,

They would not be compatible. If I remember right, the Winegard is only for television, which would be VHF and UHF type signals. The signals that a short-wave radio receives is simply AM. That is why they recommend the long-wire antenna.

However, it might be possible to attach one's long-wire antenna around the perimeter of the RV in some way and still pick up signals. That way, it could be left in place instead of being required to install between trees and then taken down when planning to travel.

There are more knowledgeable people here that can better answer the question, but I think a long-wire antenna would need to be placed in such a manner that it was not touching itself at any point or that it was touching other metal.

Also, keep in mind that that long wire antenna on a roof "might" serve as an attraction for lightning. (That part is pure speculation on my part because I would think it needed to be grounded to attract lightning. Then again, lightning does funny things.)

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Won’t work at all. The long wire antenna is what is required for shortwave. Actually a long wire antenna is a very good antenna for the low frequency wave of “shortwave” radio.

(Your FM radio is connected to the Winegard, but FM radio is very close to the low-band TV channels so it works for FM radio. Shortwave is a long way from the frequencies used for commercial FM stations.)

Bill

-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Tuesday 1st of May 2012 12:28:26 PM

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good thoughts, thanks. I thought the Winegard might help, because when I put it up, my radio reception got much better (I don't have a TV) so I thought the radio was hooked into it too. I guess I'll figure a way to put a wire out, but I think the Winegard looks more like a lightening rod, so I'm not too worried!

Jane

smile

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

biggrin OK, one more thing to add to the to-do list biggrin

My kitchen screen slides open, so I can throw it out there, and string a wire along the awning.

Jane

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina wrote:
OK, one more thing to add to the to-do list
My kitchen screen slides open, so I can throw it out there, and string a wire along the awning.

Jane

You may want to read the manual for additional info, but in general, you will get the best results if you don’t place the antenna right up against other pieces of metal. Sometimes tying the antenna to a tree is a good mounting point. Just see if the manual doesn’t have some suggestions. Have fun “DXing” which is the old term for receiving radio stations far away from you “QTH” which is also radio slang for your current location or home.

Enjoy

Bill

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Does the pull out antenna not work? Most radio's don't do well inside rigs. Just about anything mounted outside the rig will increase reception. If you find the pull out antenna does not work, best bet would be to open up the radio and replace the antenna with a connector to allow you to hook up an external antenna. Many places sell SW receive-only antenna's that are smaller and easier to setup/take down than a long wire.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, the pull out antenna works great for FM, pretty good for the weather channels inside the rig, but nothing but static for the shortwave. I've seen some nice little antennas, and I have a length of speaker wire, just got to get around to it.

Torldyn · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hina wrote:
Just got a nifty little shortwave (crank & solar powered +) It just has a "whip" antenna you pull out, no input for an external antenna. Looking on Google, most say to wrap a long (20-50 ft) wire around the antenna, then put it out car dvd players the window up to a tree. But does anyone have any ideas how to adapt it to the coaxial plugs that go to the Winegard antenna? And is that possible? Is a Winegard antenna compatible with something like this? What about stripping a coax then soldering it to a wire? Any mad scientists with any ideas? Thanks!
Jane

hey it looks nice antenna. What is your review about it if I want to purchase it?

-- Edited by Torldyn on Sunday 10th of February 2013 05:53:21 AM

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

So Hina, you might get a little boost out of the TV antenna becausel it is outside and high, but I wouldn't count on much. The frequency of the signal determines the optimum length of the antenna. The lower the frequency of the signal, the longer the wavelength and so the longer the antenna needs to be. A 20 to 50 foot wire would be your best bet. Keep in mind that the weather and shortwave bands on many of these little radios is almost never used so the manufacturer doesn't spend any time making them perform well. In some cases they barely work at all.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

these antenna's work and are cheap and portable.....might be your answer

http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ANT-60-Short-Wave-Antenna/dp/B000023VW2

hope it helps

Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 10th of February 2013 09:46:12 PM

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Mark for the advice!