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I'd like to perform some simple receiver testing and calibration (mostly for frequency variance, not signal strength) and have been told WWV/WWVH transmissions can be found throughout most of the US.

What would be a good, cheap, small antenna for receiving one or more of these transmissions at 2.5MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, and 20MHz? I note that it's common for "atomic" clocks to have such an antenna internal, and if I find one lying about I'll use it, but I don't keep such clocks, nevermind random ferrite rods, lying about.

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  • $\begingroup$ possible duplicate of Is there a simple, diy, antenna suitable of HF receive only? $\endgroup$ – Phil Frost - W8II Jan 10 '14 at 21:32
  • $\begingroup$ That question doesn't really approach the request for small antenna design that this one asks for. $\endgroup$ – Adam Davis Jan 11 '14 at 4:54
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    $\begingroup$ How is it different? An antenna for WWV isn't different than any other HF antenna for a similar frequency. This question is also unanswerable. The "smallest" antenna might be a 1mm long wire. In some locations (right next to the transmitter), this is entirely sufficient to receive the signal. But, that's probably not what you had in mind. $\endgroup$ – Phil Frost - W8II Jan 12 '14 at 15:17
  • $\begingroup$ I'm going to assume you are in the USA. Here in Australia, the signals are somewhat harder to catch (I believe they come from Hawaii). What works for you in size & simplicity probably won't work for me. Considering that, take any advice you get with a grain of salt until it's assembled, connected and verified by your own eyes & ears. $\endgroup$ – Alan Campbell Oct 31 '14 at 5:40
  • $\begingroup$ Note that atomic clocks typically receive signals from WWVB which, while broadcast from essentially the same site as WWV, is a rather different signal: the rods in those radios would be tuned to 60kHz, yes kilohertz! $\endgroup$ – natevw - AF7TB Apr 13 '16 at 23:08
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Depends on your receiver sensitivity and antenna location. I've seen some many-decades-old portable shortwave radios pick up at least one WWV frequency using their simple built-in half-meter to meter long metal whip antenna.

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An end-fed http://www.aa5tb.com/efha.html tuned for 2.5MHz will also serve well at the higher frequencies you seek.

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    $\begingroup$ Why is an end-fed antenna more suited to this application than any other? $\endgroup$ – Phil Frost - W8II Jan 13 '14 at 13:58

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