HFU HF Underground
Technical Topics => Equipment => Topic started by: owen81 on March 20, 2026, 1342 UTC
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Hi,
On SW a half wave dipole for the 48/9 metre bands where many pirates operate isn't hugely long, so I assume this is what is what most use. On MW however I am interested to know what type of antenna(s) the Dutch pirates normally use.
I hear pirates at the top end of the MW band 1500 upwards with really good strong signals in daylight hours here in Bristol (UK). At 1600khz for example a dipole would be around 90m long and from when I've been to Holland in the past I know that the houses are densely packed much like in the built up areas here. I can't imagine a coil and capacity hat loaded vertical like I've seen for the LPAM stations can be very efficient at all. Do they just use loads of power to overcome this? Or some other antenna design(s), a combination of power and innovative antennas?
I'm interested to know as a mate of mine is thinking of starting his own station on MW that could cover a reasonably large area of the UK and reach into the continent(Benelux, Northern France, possibly Western Germany etc.) Would be interested to hear what kind of setups people use for these frequencies.
Cheers
O
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I'm in Bristol!
Top loaded Vertical and a good ground is the best compromise antenna.
Best PM me.
Str.
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Ok cool, I'm on holiday currently but will message when back.
O
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Nothing heard!