Everything You Need to Know About Choosing a Shortwave Antenna
When you enjoy ham or amateur radio broadcasting as a hobby, having the right equipment helps you make the most of your time. A shortwave antenna makes it possible for you to receive and send transmissions on the ham and amateur frequencies. On eBay, you can find a broad range of types, features, and manufacturers of new and used shortwave antennas.
What are the compatibility options for a shortwave radio antenna?The compatibility options for a durable shortwave antenna may include the following:
- Base station radio: These antennas have the longest lengths of the shortwave radios. They may be rated for indoor or outdoor use. They are designed to remain permanently attached to the base station radio.
- Portable or handheld radio: These shortwave radio antennas are short and compact. Some of them are designed to fit inside of the radio. Other models may telescope for storage.
- Vehicle radio: This type of antenna fits into a car or truck and it is designed to work with the ham radio. It can also pick up AM radio stations. It may have a detachable base for mounting on a dashboard or roof.
A shortwave antenna for a radio is able to pick up frequency bands such as:
- AM: These frequencies range from 535KHz to 1605KHz.
- HF: High frequency, or HF, ranges from 3MHz to 30MHz.
- VHF: Very high frequency, or VHF, radio frequencies are between 30MHz to 300MHz.
- UHF: Ultra high frequency, or UHF ranges from 300MHz and 3GHz.
The directional options for an affordable shortwave radio antenna may include:
- Mono-directional: This antenna picks up signals from one cardinal direction in relation to the antennas orientation.
- Bi-directional: This type of antenna picks up signals from two directions in relation to its orientation.
- Omni-directional: These antennas pick up signals from all directions in relation to their positions.
When you are shopping on eBay for a shortwave antenna for ham radio, there are many options available to choose from. Consider the following features when making your decision:
- Brand: Some of the options include Alpha Delta, RadioShack, Sainsonic, and TECSUN.
- Antenna length: The antenna lengths range from two inches long to two feet in diameter.
- Wiring length: The length of wire for the antennas ranges from two to 100 feet.
- Type: Select a shortwave antenna for fixed radios or portable radios.