MR> JP>I didn't realize that for AM ,you might need a 500 foot antenna.
MR> JE>
MR> JE> Antenna length for low frequency AM (and any other frequency) is a
MR> JE> function of wave length - the lower the frequency the longer the wave
MR> JE> length - the higher the frequency the shorter the wave length. If I
MR> JE> remember the physics of it correctly, a full wave length antenna or a
MR> JE> multiple of the wave length antenna provides a much stronger received
MR> JE> signal than a 1/2, 1/4 wave length or less antenna.

MR>Indeed the antenna length will influence the received signal strength.
MR>What's more if the antenna can hold several wavelengths then it will
MR>even become directive and thus magnify the signal.

MR>However, don't forget that an antenna works by intercepting the electric
MR>and magnetic fields from the received wavefront. In the typical case the
MR>antenna is equally sensitive to both fields but one can also have an
MR>antenna that is better at intercepting either the magnetic field or the
MR>electric field.

MR>Respectively, in the one case the antenna behaves more like an inductor
MR>and in the other more like a capacitor. An example of the former is the
MR>AM loopstick antenna and an example of the latter is the car whip
MR>antenna. Both can adjusted to give good performance that would only
MR>otherwise be available in a long-wire antenna but much less cumbersome.

Don't forget about the vertical and horizontal polarization of the
transmitted signal!

Jay
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