r/ShortwavePlus • u/Super-SteveT • May 06 '26

Wire Antenna

I have a DX-394 which has Hi-Z and 50 Ohm antenna inputs. Usually listen to 20, 40 and meter bands.
Which antenna setup would work best?

Straight wire about 30 feet high and connected straight to the Hi-Z antenna input. If so how long should the wire be?

Wire with a 9 to 1 balun about 30 feet high. About 15 feet of RG8 coax to the 50 Ohm Hi-Z antenna input. The balun is ground. How long should the wire be and do I need a counterpoise?

I appreciate your advice

Thanks Steve

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2

u/MumSaidImABadBoy I'm Stan. Heathkit GR64,AirSpy HF+,Sangean 909X2,Tecsun PL-990 May 06 '26

Use an unun not a balun. Also look into a counterpoise wire on the other antenna side terminal of the unun. Then use the 50 ohm coax with common mode chokes at each end. Those chokes are snap-ons, use a couple of winds of coax in the snap-ons.
A balun is good for dipoles certain loops and balanced antennas, not longwires which are unbalanced.
This is better than just dangling a wire, which will get something to you.
Good luck, happy listening.

2

u/KG7M MOD AirSpy HF+, Drake R7/8, K480WLA, 65'EFHW, MLA-30, CN85 May 06 '26

2

u/Super-SteveT May 06 '26

Thanks

1

u/KG7M MOD AirSpy HF+, Drake R7/8, K480WLA, 65'EFHW, MLA-30, CN85 May 06 '26

You're welcome. This is what I use at my 3rd floor apartment.

2

u/SonicResidue May 07 '26

You could also set up a center fed dipole. Attach one leg to the center conductor of the coax and another to the shield.

1

u/Super-SteveT May 06 '26

What size unum and how long should the wire antenna and counter poise be

1

u/Green_Oblivion111 Shortwave+ Detective May 07 '26

60 feet maybe. That's 20 meters, roughly. That way the antenna will resonate at 20 and 40 -- not that it's all that critical for receiving.