Yep, and those fish antibiotics work. I know!

Gil.

2m antenna?

Yep, I used to have a 32ft steel boat. I had zinc blocks along the hull. They went first before the steel...

Gil.

Hello jmb,

The length is not as important for listening as it is for transmitting. For transmitting, you often have to be within a few inches. I mentioned 66ft because it is a half wave on 40m and a quarter wave on 80m. It should however work well on all HF frequencies. If the radio has a ground plug, or the antenna plug has an outer ground connection, you might want to try another length of wire connected to that. I am not experienced in SWL, so I am just guessing at what would work. Other people here would know more. Also keep in mind that]depending on the bands and time of day of your listening, you might not hear much! Below 10MHz, listen at night. Above 10MHz, listen during the day. Go to arrl.org and look for the Ham frequencies band plan, it will tell you where to listen. I would suggest the SSB parts of 40 and 20m: 7100-7300kHz and 14100-14350kHz...

Gil.

Yes. They're not all copper, but copper clad steel rods... It was cheap, don't remember exactly..

Gil.

The fence post pounder was $28 at Home Depot. I figured I'd use it again... You're welcome to borrow it if you come down here for work...

Gil.

Hello jmb, and welcome aboard. I was looking at that radio too, and might even buy it for traveling. It has very good reviews.

As far as an antenna, a long wire should do fine. You don't need to invest in an expensive antenna. I would try a 66ft. wire, which is a half wavelength for 40m (7MHz) and should work well for everything. I use a slingshot with a 1oz fishing weight and 14# fishing line to shoot wire up tree branches... 200ft. would certainly work!

Gil.

Well, I have only one! Six inches stick out of the ground...

Gil.

Hi Tim, the parts are not hard to find or expensive, but I've been buying radio stuff instead!

Gil.

I pounded mine into the ground using a fence post pounding gizmo, it was very easy...

Gil.

Thanks Jim. There won't be any plastic in that antenna, only a Delrin block for the connection and adjustments...

For HF I have an end-fed dipole but I want 80 and 30m, so I have to come up with another solution...

Gil.

I did read one entertaining book where South African time travelers bring AK47s to the South, but I forgot the author's name or title.

Gil

Hello Tim,

I am missing the lock, trigger and a few other small parts...

Anyway, one may wonder what America would be today if the South had won. Slavery would have been abolished, just a bit later, due to worldwide pressure. The States would be much more independent of course.. Big Brother would be Baby Brother.. Who knows..

Gil.

Hi Ray, it's a Lehigh County flintlock, .50, 40" barrel.
I wonder if I'll ever finish it...

Gil.

Dave Benson is supposedly working on a new version... Who knows when that'll come out though...

Gil.