Today I replaced the antenna with one from an AA5, and after a little tweaking of the trimmer, I have very good reception across the band without having an additional wire added.

I don't know what radio the old antenna was from, but clearly not the best match for my radio.

Russ

In cases like this a cheat tool(inductance meter) is helpful... Can measure working antenna, then add or subtract as necessary to match to your useage... As you've found not all are same... Of course it can be done without meter, just gives a accurate starting direction...

BTW, great work, nice project you've built...


Tom

Thanks Tom! Looking forward to more experimentation now that I have it working.

Russ

What does this remind me of.... Oh yeah.Spock: Captain, you're asking me to work with equipment which is hardly very far ahead of stone knives and bearskins.

Job well done.

Curtis Eickerman

Thank you Curtis, after having built (and troubleshot) the radio my understanding of radio theory has greatly improved. Now I am solidly at the beginner level

Russ

Aren't we all?

Curtis Eickerman

Because most electricianests don't know how to solder.

Those sockets are mainly for mounting on DIN rails. They only have screw holes for the occasional user who has a panel without rails. There is no chassis in these applications; everything mounts on a panel and all the wiring and components are on the front side. That way when the service tech opens the cabinet, everything is right in front of him and he doesn't have to deal with going around the back. This is how industrial equipment is usually built.