Swl (shortwave Listening) In An Apartment

[monekyface]

Has anyone here rigged up a slinky antenna in their apartment for SWL? I found a couple of slinky juniors (each is 157.5 Inches or 13.1 Feet) on eBay for like $5 apiece. Seems that this would make a nice dipole antenna for 40 meters that could double as an SWL antenna. Is there a good compromise arrangement that would allow it to do double duty? I don't want to buy a tuner right now just do some listening. I might like to add a CW rig later.

One thing that I wonder about these slinky antennas is that they are steel. Surely you can't solder your coax or twin lead to steel- do people just alligator clip it on, and hope for a good connection? I am going to buy a basic shortwave radio like the one below; what kind of feedline would work best? I have heard that slinkys on a hoola hoop make a nice antenna as well.

Degen/Kaito 1102

I could also just use one of the slinkys and do a longwire arrangement. But then a tuner is mandatory, yes? I had planned on putting up a nylon rope that runs diagonally across the room just below the ceiling. If I feed it from one end, that will be great since my desk sits in the corner. I will save some of the extra nylon rope, and when my girlfriend complains about how unsightly it is I will tie her up with it. Maybe, just forget the radio altogether and get some rope.

Anyone?

[Crossy]

Good info here http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=12130

Or try a Google on "slinky antenna plans"

You CAN solder onto steel, you just need a powerful iron and patience to get the solder to wet properly before attempting to attach the wire itself. Alternatively crocodile clips will give an adequate connection at the frequencies you're considering.

Crossy, G7FDK (not operating in Thailand)

[jackdanielsesq]

She gonna tie you up!! Sleep real light!! Didnt realize they still made SW. Ya cant be no day at the beach to live with.

BR>Jack

[monekyface]

Thank you Crossy! Good information there. And yes jd, esq- I am no picnic.