need help bringing in SW stations

[2Shy48]

I have been unable to get anything except static on my SW radio (even using an external loop antenna and keeping the A/C adapter plugged in) since I got the thing nearly two years ago.  And I only even try listening at night, of course.  (I’m often up all night and I wish I could get some reception with interesting programs that provide an entire night’s listening each night). 

It’s an ETON Elite Executive (brand new).  I thought it might be interference with my computer/phone/external HDDs or the a/c’s that have been in the windows all summer.  But I really don’t think it’s any of those things.  There’s probably something on the radio itself that I have set incorrectly—though I’ve combed the manual many times.  I can’t even get the time signal from WWV (which I had a hard time receiving even when I lived in AZ—and had a different, but very similar ETON model SW radio). 

Have you any ideas as to why I can’t get any reception?

By the way, I’m using it inside my top-floor apartment in a small city in New England.

[Ct Yankee]

First, welcome to the board.

Second, I primarily use Tescun portables in a small New England town but used one at work in a small New England city so I can relay some of my experience.

Third, in looking at the Eton Executive's Manual online  https://www.gpscentral.ca/wp-content/uploads/Manual_EliteExecutive.pdf                 I found this warning:
"Note: AC power may have interference with the reception for AM(MW),so it may be better to listen to the ELITE EXECUTIVE using batteries and disconnect to external AC adapter to get the best reception."

I cannot use my PL 880 with the charger adapter, it is meant for battery use.  So, I would first use the Eton Executive with batteries only.

Fourth, if reception is still bad after only battery use, I would try any or all of the following, then expand on things once you see what works:
A. Take a portable that works on batteries.  Set to a low AM frequency that you know you receive well, like 660 am in NYC.  Walk near all your devices/applications that are plugged in.  If the station gets obscured, unplug that item and give the Eton a try.
B. Take the Eton outside to use in different locations using only batteries: a park, away from city area, if possible near salt water - Hammonasset Park in Connecticut is excellent listening with a portable wire (see below)
C. Get a portable wire antenna, clip to whip, and hang it out a window https://www.amazon.com/C-Crane-ANT-SW-CC-REEL/dp/B01I27ZOQM?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3ANGXR0NYN3EP

These are just some quick and dirty things to try.  I never use an adapter while listening and have rigged the radio for use with a long wire.  Good luck, let me know how you make out.

[Ron - Calif.]

Greetings from California! For well over a decade now, I have taken my Eton E1 portable to my local beach to do my SWL
during the middle of the night. Park next to a wooden fence and string out my external antenna of a 100 ft. long wire along
it and run it into my car and attach it to my E1. At the beach, there is no radio frequency interference (park next to the ocean
on one side and a golf course on the other. Always have very quiet listening conditions. Therefore I only use it only with
batteries (use four D types that are rechargeable).

What I suggest you do is put some batteries in your radio and head out to a local park, or someplace where there would be
little if any radio frequency interference (RFI). Suggest going out at sunset or sunrise, as there can be some very good SW
reception then. Believe you will find that you have quiet listening. I can only suggest experimenting with different locations and
try to find one that works well for you. Then you will know for sure if the problem is at your home and not the fault of the radio!

Good luck! Ron

[Treehouse SWL]

I have the earlier model of the Eton Elite Executive, and I never use it while it's plugged in because that significantly increases static and noise on it. Instead, I use rechargeable batteries in it.

Can you string a long-wire antenna out your window? I have both a long-wire and an MLA-30+ loop, and while the loop helps with reception, it also raises the radio noise level more than my wire antenna.

Anyway, others here also have given great advice, too!

[Pigmeat]

A wire out the window will do wonders. About 35-40 ft. is a good start. Keep it away from the power, cable, and phone lines and you'll be golden.

If you're hunting pirates, a dipole cut to 33 ft. for each leg get's you in the game. It doesn't have to be a flat top dipole. IMO,I think the inverted "V" is a better version of the dipole if you have limited space. You'll pick up horizontally and vertically polarized signals with the inverted "V".

[BoomboxDX]

First off, as the others said, don't operate the radio with it plugged in to the wall outlet. Modern day power adapters generally put out a LOT of noise.

Secondly, make sure you're tuning in the right ranges of frequencies. At night, you should be able to hear Cuba, at least, in the 6 Mhz SW band (5800 khz - 6200 khz).

Try tuning into WWV and see if it comes in. 5000 khz, 10000 khz, or 15000 khz. If you're not hearing WWV, you may not hear much of anything because if WWV isn't making it, it means propagation is abysmal.

Also, you didn't mention if the radio is operating normally on the AM band (MW band). If it's operating on MW, that at least would show that the radio works OK.