PRACTICAL IDEAS AND APPLICATIONS FOR COUNTRY LIVING (C)92 R. SHANNON
Page III
RADIO
No we didn't leave the whole world reality behind. Yet finding
something worthwhile to listen to is a trick. Small inexpensive AM/FM
radios will not help, except for late night AM skip and that may be iffy
depending on the quality of your receiver. When buying a radio, make
sure it has inputs for external antennas. AM radio does best with a 100
foot long wire antenna hooked between two trees. Use a 14 gauge wire
available at most hardware stores. FM does well with a recycled TV
antenna which can d ouble as just that.
We have a Sangean short wave radio (cost 150) that has the
external standard RCA input for AM and FM in one. This radio runs on
6 D cell 1.5 volt batteries and is VERY efficient. We found it will
run close to 500 hours and after measuring the batteries at that time
I found them to be 1.2 volts...time to replace. While there are many
short wave radios on the market, the Sangean is sold under the Radio
Shack name and can be frequently found on sale. It has 9 memory sets,
BFO for side band receptio n and STEREO FM reception!!! Of all the low
cost short wave radios this one received the highest marks from trade
journals and mags.
When purchasing a radio, try to find one that runs on 12 VDC,
unless of course you go for the Sangean which is quite efficient on
regular batteries. A radio that uses 8 / 1.5 volt batteries will
hook into your household 12 volt system. And for petes sake don't
buy one that has too many gadgets like clocks and egg timers. You
will find little use for them and they take space away from quality
electronics.
I have found an interesting phenomenon regarding radio and sunspot
information. Solar activity is reported on 5 10 15 and 20 kHz at :46
after each hour. If sunspot activity is high, you can expect to receive
an unusual array of sw and FM/TV activity. On AM we listen regularly
to KGO 1200 miles to the south.
Next Page
No we didn't leave the whole world reality behind. Yet finding
something worthwhile to listen to is a trick. Small inexpensive AM/FM
radios will not help, except for late night AM skip and that may be iffy
depending on the quality of your receiver. When buying a radio, make
sure it has inputs for external antennas. AM radio does best with a 100
foot long wire antenna hooked between two trees. Use a 14 gauge wire
available at most hardware stores. FM does well with a recycled TV
antenna which can d ouble as just that.
We have a Sangean short wave radio (cost 150) that has the
external standard RCA input for AM and FM in one. This radio runs on
6 D cell 1.5 volt batteries and is VERY efficient. We found it will
run close to 500 hours and after measuring the batteries at that time
I found them to be 1.2 volts...time to replace. While there are many
short wave radios on the market, the Sangean is sold under the Radio
Shack name and can be frequently found on sale. It has 9 memory sets,
BFO for side band receptio n and STEREO FM reception!!! Of all the low
cost short wave radios this one received the highest marks from trade
journals and mags.
When purchasing a radio, try to find one that runs on 12 VDC,
unless of course you go for the Sangean which is quite efficient on
regular batteries. A radio that uses 8 / 1.5 volt batteries will
hook into your household 12 volt system. And for petes sake don't
buy one that has too many gadgets like clocks and egg timers. You
will find little use for them and they take space away from quality
electronics.
I have found an interesting phenomenon regarding radio and sunspot
information. Solar activity is reported on 5 10 15 and 20 kHz at :46
after each hour. If sunspot activity is high, you can expect to receive
an unusual array of sw and FM/TV activity. On AM we listen regularly
to KGO 1200 miles to the south.
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1988-92 Original Analogue Videos
in order of Uploads
49 Below Mountain Wind Family In
this short clip you see how we were surrounded by thousands of acres of
wilderness mountains, prepared for a night of 45 degrees below zero..in
a cabin, hand built, of only 350 sq feet for a family of 7..ongoing
series..
Mountain Wind Family, a family of two parents and seven children who
left the city to live in the wilderness. There was no electricity, no
running water, no TV nor phone. We were at 3500 feet in the rugged
wilderness mountains of NE Washington where it borders Canada.
We lived among many predators including but not all inclusive, cougar,
bear and bobcat. We had an American eagle and A Bald eagle nested on
our property of 20 acres. Our home was built with practically no
experience, by hand. My son Chris and I built it. We were beyond low
income...almost to the poverty level, yet we sustained 5 years there
the children grew into wonderful adults. They still claim that the
experience was most unique and a changing point in their lives.
A book is being written and a short pamphlet is available FREE online
at bobshannon.org under the heading
Bob's Past Re-Incarnations...then click on "Coyote; A Guide to
Wilderness Living"
Min/Sec 3:45
Min/Sec 3:45