Zach,
I'll extend the antenna on the Sony this afternoon and tune around a 
bit and let you know if I hear much.  Worst case, ten or fifteen feet 
of wire in the back yard might do the job.  Tie it off to a tree or 
clothesline pole (do they still exist)! and you should be okay.
Pat, K9JAUAt 11:35 AM 6/25/2013, you wrote:
>So if I had a portable receiver, would I even be able to pick up
>anything without a large antenna?
>Like, would I be able to listen to cw round tables or nets just
>sitting out in the back yard?
>
>
>On 6/25/13, Ed Malmgren <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Zach, one of the best things is to listen to W1AW which sends code practice
> >
> > every day at different speeds.  You can get the frequencies and times from
> > the ARRL site, starting at five W P M and going up to around 45 or 50 so
> > good luck.
> > Ed   K7UC
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------
> > From: "Zach Shifflett" <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:06 AM
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Subject: short wave / cw receiver
> >
> >> Hey all,
> >> I'm wondering if there are any portable shortwave receivers out there
> >> that are relatively accessible, and that can receive cw.
> >> Now that I've had my license for a couple weeks and have familiarized
> >> myself with basic procedure, I'd like to get started studying for
> >> general.  First though, I want to learn cw.
> >> I've been doing cw training tapes I found online, as well as using the
> >> g4fon cotch trainer, but what I'd really like is to be able to listen
> >> to some code on the air, and copy that.  I feel like that'd be the
> >> best practice, to actually use realtime, on air code.
> >> I'd also like to see what kind of stuff I can pick up on the low
> >> frequencies where I live.
> >> I don't even know how good a portable receiver like this would be, as
> >> I know you have  to have decent antennas to even be able to pick up
> >> most of this stuff.
> >> Please forgive a stupid question from a total newbie, but everybody's
> >> gotta start somewhere, eh?
> >> I'd just really like to start listening to some code on air and
> >> copying it. Maybe this is also something I could do with echolink.
> >> Are there even shortwave stations you can pick up anymore?
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance for all the great advice I know will come.
> >> This list is really great, and I look forward to actually being able
> >> to talk to some of you guys once my echolink approval goes through.
> >>
> >> 73
> >> Zach, kk4ruz
> >