{"id":20248,"date":"2016-08-01T11:29:52","date_gmt":"2016-08-01T15:29:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=20248"},"modified":"2016-08-01T11:29:52","modified_gmt":"2016-08-01T15:29:52","slug":"selecting-a-budget-antenna-for-urban-radio-listening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/selecting-a-budget-antenna-for-urban-radio-listening\/","title":{"rendered":"Selecting a budget antenna for urban radio listening"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Urban-City-Cityscape\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Yesterday, an SWLing Post<\/em> reader contacted me with questions regarding budget antenna choices for an urban apartment.\u00a0He’s about to purchase an SDR, but knows that a decent antenna capable of coping with urban radio interference is a\u00a0critical\u00a0component.<\/p>\n

I suggested that, since I’m no expert with urban interference, he pose his question to the SWLing Post<\/em> community. Here’s his reply and request:<\/p>\n

I know I\u2019m a little behind some of my other radio friends, but I\u2019m finally moving up to a software defined radio. Specifically the affordability of the SDRplay RSP<\/a> and all good reviews for it have encouraged me to make the leap.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The SDRplay RSP software defined radio<\/p><\/div>\n

I suppose it should go without saying that once I purchase an SDRplay I would like to use it, which might not be so easy. I live in a big city full of RF pollution, and most of my listening will be in a room where there\u2019s a fair amount of electronic gadgetry.<\/p>\n

So, without spending a lot of money, I\u2019m curious if any of your readers might have suggestions about what I might purchase as a \u201cstarter kit\u201d for a new SDR user in such a scenario. I also plan to take the SDRplay with me when I have forays out of the city, but I envision that some sort of long wire might be sufficient for listening out in the countryside.<\/p>\n

I live on the second floor in an urban apartment, and have two windows in the room where I\u2019ll be listening. There is zero chance that I can hang or attach anything on the outside of the house here. So, my most pressing question is about antenna ideas. I\u2019ll need something inexpensive, as I mentioned, and something \u201coff the shelf.\u201d I don\u2019t have the skills or tools to really \u201cbuild\u201d anything, unfortunately. So is there some less than pricy antenna or antennas I should look at? Or is there some hope of doing something with a long wire indoors?<\/p>\n

\"Tecsun<\/a>

Tecsun AN-100 portable loop antenna<\/p><\/div>\n

And will my little Tecsun AN-100 AM loop antenna going to help me at all? I mostly plan to listen to MW and the HF bands, but I will inevitably check out signals far up the bands as well. So advise about listening to these bands is also of interest to me.<\/p>\n

Other than that, I understand it\u2019s important to attach the SDR to the laptop with a USB cable with ferrite chokes. And it probably wouldn\u2019t hurt to buy some extra ferrite chokes to attach to other cables I might be using. I also plan to buy a NooElec mini-balun for use with a long wire antenna, and I already purchased a PowerMate USB knob because I still prefer to do my \u201ctuning\u201d that way.<\/p>\n

So other than those basics my questions would be regarding connecting cables and adapters, and the best lengths of cable to use. Should I have some cable between the balun and SDR? I believe I\u2019ve read that it\u2019s better to have a longer USB cable and a shorter coax to the antenna, correct? And when it comes to using a wire antenna, are there preferences as far as what type or gauge of wire to use?<\/p>\n

I am also interested in any general suggestions or tips from SDR users on getting started. In general, I\u2019m pretty good with navigating through software, it\u2019s usually the hardware issues that stump me. I\u2019m looking to spend between $100 to $150 tops on everything besides the SDR, and I\u2019d like to hear about peripherals, cables, adapters and connectors which when added all together won\u2019t bust my bank.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure there\u2019s plenty of people who read this wonderful blog who have plenty of useful knowledge regarding SDR listening on a budget. And I hope a few could share a little of their experience and collected wisdom on this topic here, for me and for others considering turning their computers into receivers…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Indeed. I appreciate this reader’s question, since many listeners live in environments with heavy radio interference. While we’ve published a number of posts touting the virtues of magnetic loop antennas<\/a>, I don’t think we’ve ever looked for solutions at or below $150 US. While this may be\u00a0a challenge, I’m also certain there are a number of readers who’ve found solutions to this problem.<\/p>\n

So, Post<\/em> readers, what might you do–or have you done–in similar circs? \u00a0Please feel free to comment, and let’s explore inventive and affordable solutions for this reader!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Yesterday, an SWLing Post reader contacted me with questions regarding budget antenna choices for an urban apartment.\u00a0He’s about to purchase an SDR, but knows that a decent antenna capable of coping with urban radio interference is a\u00a0critical\u00a0component. I suggested that, since I’m no expert with urban interference, he pose his question to the SWLing Post […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[373,3607,433,3,196,26,43,158,5],"tags":[1643,5023,2222,4357,4089,2651,157,2872,4087],"class_list":["post-20248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-antennas","category-mediumwave","category-news","category-qrm","category-radios","category-shortwave-radio","category-software-defined-radio","category-swlers","tag-antennas","tag-covert-antennas","tag-interference","tag-mag-loop-antennas","tag-qrm","tag-radio-frequency-interference","tag-sdr","tag-shortwave-antennas","tag-software-defined-radio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-5gA","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":30672,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/indoor-shortwave-antenna-options-to-pair-with-a-new-sdr\/","url_meta":{"origin":20248,"position":0},"title":"Indoor shortwave antenna options to pair with a new SDR","author":"Thomas","date":"February 9, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris Freitas, who writes: \"I am thinking of the new RSP1A SDR. Would you know of a good indoor antenna that would work well with it?\" Your antenna question is simple, but the answer is complex! First off, I think the RSP1A is a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/RSP1A1-1024x708.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/RSP1A1-1024x708.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/RSP1A1-1024x708.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/RSP1A1-1024x708.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15055,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/guest-post-london-shortwaves-guide-to-mitigating-urban-radio-interference\/","url_meta":{"origin":20248,"position":1},"title":"Guest Post: London Shortwave’s guide to mitigating urban radio interference","author":"Thomas","date":"October 9, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post\u00a0contributor, London Shortwave, who is kindly sharing this guest post--a brilliant article he recently posted on his own website. I'm very grateful: one of the most common questions I'm asked by readers is how to cope with the radio interference so many listeners and amateur radio\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"London-Urban-City","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/London-Urban-City.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/London-Urban-City.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/London-Urban-City.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50098,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/wire-antennas-vs-mag-loop-antennas\/","url_meta":{"origin":20248,"position":2},"title":"Wire antennas vs. mag loop antennas","author":"Thomas","date":"August 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"In the past few weeks, I've gotten a lot of questions from readers who are trying to decide if they should install a magnetic loop antenna or a simple wire antenna at their home. Obviously, most of the questions come from shortwave radio listeners, but some have come from ham\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Elecraft-KX3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Elecraft-KX3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Elecraft-KX3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20767,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/ivans-preliminary-review-of-the-new-rtl-sdr-dongle-on-shortwavemediumwave\/","url_meta":{"origin":20248,"position":3},"title":"Ivan’s preliminary review of the new RTL-SDR dongle on shortwave\/mediumwave","author":"Thomas","date":"August 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan Cholakov (NO2CW), who shares the following video review of the\u00a0new\u00a0RTL-SDR dongle on the\u00a0shortwave\u00a0and mediumwave bands. Ivan notes: This is daytime reception comparison. Nighttime could be a different picture. [The RTL-SDR dongle] tunes and frequency is 100% on spot. Using SDR Sharp you have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1-300x243.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20733,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/200-metre-longwire-radio-verdad-4054-9-khz-guatemala-unprecedented-reception-in-oxford-uk\/","url_meta":{"origin":20248,"position":4},"title":"200 metre longwire: Radio Verdad 4054.9 kHz, Guatemala, unprecedented reception in Oxford, UK","author":"Clint Gouveia","date":"August 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Verdad, Chiquimula,\u00a0Guatemala is quite a regular catch at home, however,\u00a0their modulation is nearly always weak as the carrier\u00a0struggles to lift above the ubiquitous blanket of local QRM. Another issue with hearing\u00a0this station is the\u00a0digital utility\u00a0signal just above 4055 kHz, thus requiring LSB reception to reject the adjacent noise. This\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"verdad","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/verdad.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/verdad.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/verdad.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/verdad.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20822,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/radio-fana-6110-khz-ethiopia-excellent-snr-with-elad-fdm-duo\/","url_meta":{"origin":20248,"position":5},"title":"Radio Fana 6110 kHz Ethiopia; excellent SNR with Elad FDM DUO","author":"Clint Gouveia","date":"August 26, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The Elad FDM DUO makes for\u00a0a fantastic receiver, in both standalone mode and via the FDM-SW2 software. Thus far it has been demonstrating this by outperforming the Sony ICF-2001D in many of my reception tests\u00a0using an\u00a0experimental longwire antenna. Bear in mind that whilst this might not be such a surprise,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Fanaza","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Fanaza.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Fanaza.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Fanaza.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Fanaza.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Fanaza.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20248"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20248\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}