Radio: Difference between revisions

In a disaster situation with no access to mobile data nor the Internet, and a handheld radio does not provide sufficient reception or is unavailable, AM/MW radio is a good first option. If you are wanting to listen for local shortwave (AM/MW) broadcasts, a 5.8M length of wire should give you opportunity to listen to many stations within the popular range from about 500 kHz to 13 MHz and from stations further away than can typically be reached with a small handheld radio (as shown above). This is probably your best option in an emergency situation with little at hand. Short enough to hang vertically, it can have even better reception as it will have closer polarity (electromagnetic orientation) to that of the broadcasting antenna.

A common configuration for random wire antennae is that of a wire suspended between a home (or shelter) and a tree or adjacent structure. A loop can be made in the wire, twisted tight, and paracord or rope used to fasten it to each end. It is important that the wire is electrically insulated from the structures it is tethered to. If just using wire to affix to the structures, ceramic insulators can be added inline at each end, with the feedline to the receiver connected to the suspended antenna section. In the absence of insulators, a ceramic cup with a sturdy handle can be used, with each portion of wire twisted to each end of the handle and the cup horizontal.