Radio (I need an antenna)

rayofash

I was just lent a Yaesu VR-5000 Communications Receiver, but I need an antenna. This is my first radio and I have no idea how to use it. The receiving modes are LSB, USB, CW, AM-N, AM, WAM, FM-N, WFM. I don't know what that means entirely, but I'm guessing a regular AM/FM antenna won't cut it. It has 2 antenna ports in the back, a PL-259 Coaxial Connector (50 ohm) and "a pair of spring terminal contacts for attaching the bare wire leads of a higher impedance wire antenna for LF and MW work."

The radio:

http://www.memphisamateur.com/browseproducts/Yaesu-VR-5000.html
http://www.strongsignals.net/access/content/rr_vr-5000.html
http://www.strongsignals.net/access/reviews/reviews.cgi?type=display&rtype=fi&class=recv&num=022

Edit: What's the difference between SO-239 and PL-259?

Edit 2: Would these work? I'm also looking for a shortwave antenna.

Rendon

The antenna that you need needs to be for the freq range that you are using. Depending on what you want to do, will dictate what kind of that antenna to get. The PL-259 will be used for higher freq usage (VHF,UHF) the SO-239 will be for lower freq listening (HF and below). Since you are just listening and not transmitting having a perfect antenna will not be required. You will get better performance depending on how specific the antenna you get. Just a warning, you are entering into an expensive hobby.
LSB- Lower Side band
USB- Upper side band
CW-Morse code
AM- Amplitude modulation
FM-Frequency modulation
AM-N- Narrow band AM
FM-N- narrow band FM
WAM- Wide band AM
WFM- Wide band FM

Most of the communications I have been part of use USB (I was a coast guard electronics tech) for HF, and FM for VHF and UHF.

What ever antenna you pick up you will want to get it up as high as you can. I wouldn't buy shit from Radio Shack either. For further questions I would go to a HAM message board... those people are nuts about the hobby and normally are VERY helpful.

edit: I can't believe they put a Pl-259 on a 600 dollar radio... should have been an N-TYPE

rayofash

Yea, I got some help here.