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From: Garry Nichols
Date: 11/16/00
Time: 8:55:11 PM
Remote Name: 209.4.255.45
Hi Gerald,
Just saw your post--hope you come back down this far to read my reply!
Wire antennas do not strictly have to run in a staight line. Something on the order of 50-100 ft should get you going OK depending on your location in the country and the number of stations around you within 25 miles or so. During night hours, stations from hundreds of miles can arrive via skip. They will fade in and out, going from quite strong to inaudible. It's quite a hunt to find them!
In the DX listening contest early this year I logged around 25 stations listening with a square loop xtal set that was 4 ft on a side inside a single story wood frame house. I tapped onto a few of the loop turns with a diode and antique headset and that was the whole radio! You have to be patient and just keep tuning (very slowly) and listening. It's sort of like fishing.
Almost any antenna 50 ft long would probably be as good as my loop or better with regard to signal pickup!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, if you can, just run some wire around, almost anywhere, preferably outside. Where you can, get it as high as possible, and try not to run it back in the same direction close to where it just ran out. Zigzaging works well. Or, run it up and out and make a turn, run it along, make another turn. The beginning end can run quite a distance through your living space. It too will serve as part of the "antenna". (It will not pick up much signal if inside a concrete or steel frame structure.) Don't forget your attic if you have one.
Try to just "get some wire up"! Don't worry if it doen't look like in the books.
Run another wire to a ground stake and/or cold water pipe that goes (eventually) into the ground.
Some of my sets work acceptably without a ground. You could try any large metal object that is handy as a counterpoise ground. You might try a long run of aluminum foil. If it works, put it under a carpet if available and use it.
Hope this gets you going with an antenna.
73, Garry