Barbed-wire Aerial works well! - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Pete_kaye · 21st Nov 2011, 3:06 pm

I made a simple 1 transistor plus diode set last year and tested it at home with a loft space aerial. Yesterday I took it out with me to test around the countryside near Sheffield. I found an ideal spot with a long length of barbed wire stretching about 80 feet horizontally to which I clipped the aerial and the bottom wire of the fence as Earth.

I got Radio 4 loud and clear where I would normally get a local station from 290M. If I left out the Earth, then I still got the MW station.

I had tried other locations which were not very good but the aerial was short. I pushed a screwdriver in the ground for earth and got limited MW reception if I stretched out a length of wire along a hedge.

The barbed wire was best! I am told this was used for clandestine POW radios in 1945, made in Japan.

mikelect · 21st Nov 2011, 3:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_kaye

The barbed wire was best! I am told this was used for clandestine POW radios in 1945, made in Japan.

I didn't know the Japanese made Clandestine radios for POW's in 1945 ??

Tim · 22nd Nov 2011, 2:17 pm

I have heard barbed wire fences are/were used for telephone lines in the Australian outback. The fences used to run for miles of course, and the atmosphere is very dry so no easy path to the other wire or earth!.

Herald1360 · 22nd Nov 2011, 9:59 pm

Not tried barbed wire, but as a youngster, the overhead open wire disconnected telephone line which terminated on our house was a great crystal set aerial. It must have been about 200' from the house to the pole plus anything beyond that as well.

gavinhall · 22nd Nov 2011, 11:04 pm

I'm presently using the old rediffusion cable which runs from my house to the hairdressers across the road then along to other houses. I've go 12 or so cores to choose from and it works exceptionally well.

Pete_kaye · 23rd Nov 2011, 4:25 pm

Here is a photo of this great homemade set clipped to the barbed wire. It needs rotating anti- clockwise.

Station X · 23rd Nov 2011, 5:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete kaye

It needs rotating anti- clockwise.

Not any more.

Ed_Dinning · 23rd Nov 2011, 8:11 pm

Hi Gents, a tech question. Is barbed wire better than ordinary un-barbed galv wire?
If so what are the theories (and how about razor wire!!!!)

Ed

Herald1360 · 24th Nov 2011, 12:02 am

Well it's more of a cutting edge technology, especially the latter

21st Nov 2011, 3:06 pm	#1
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Barbed-wire Aerial works well! I made a simple 1 transistor plus diode set last year and tested it at home with a loft space aerial. Yesterday I took it out with me to test around the countryside near Sheffield. I found an ideal spot with a long length of barbed wire stretching about 80 feet horizontally to which I clipped the aerial and the bottom wire of the fence as Earth. I got Radio 4 loud and clear where I would normally get a local station from 290M. If I left out the Earth, then I still got the MW station. I had tried other locations which were not very good but the aerial was short. I pushed a screwdriver in the ground for earth and got limited MW reception if I stretched out a length of wire along a hedge. The barbed wire was best! I am told this was used for clandestine POW radios in 1945, made in Japan.

22nd Nov 2011, 2:17 pm	#3
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Barbed-wire Aerial works well! I have heard barbed wire fences are/were used for telephone lines in the Australian outback. The fences used to run for miles of course, and the atmosphere is very dry so no easy path to the other wire or earth!. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

22nd Nov 2011, 9:59 pm	#4
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Barbed-wire Aerial works well! Not tried barbed wire, but as a youngster, the overhead open wire disconnected telephone line which terminated on our house was a great crystal set aerial. It must have been about 200' from the house to the pole plus anything beyond that as well. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

22nd Nov 2011, 11:04 pm	#5
gavinhall Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK. Posts: 109	Re: Barbed-wire Aerial works well! I'm presently using the old rediffusion cable which runs from my house to the hairdressers across the road then along to other houses. I've go 12 or so cores to choose from and it works exceptionally well.

23rd Nov 2011, 4:25 pm	#6
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Re: Barbed-wire Aerial works well! Here is a photo of this great homemade set clipped to the barbed wire. It needs rotating anti- clockwise. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Station X; 23rd Nov 2011 at 5:46 pm. Reason: Picture rotated.

23rd Nov 2011, 8:11 pm	#8
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Re: Barbed-wire Aerial works well! Hi Gents, a tech question. Is barbed wire better than ordinary un-barbed galv wire? If so what are the theories (and how about razor wire!!!!) Ed

24th Nov 2011, 12:02 am	#9
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Barbed-wire Aerial works well! Well it's more of a cutting edge technology, especially the latter __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O