I am watching this thread to see if you figure out something with the conditions you noted. I was in quite a similar situation for many years, thus my own drives to the countryside. It really put a crunch on the hobby for me until my residence changed only recently.
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Apartment / townhome / stealth antenna?
- Thread starter mr_fx
- Start date
well one way to correct the conditions would be to murder my wife... I joke,I only joke
Apartment antenna thru window
FWIW to Y'all:
My QTH: 3rd floor apt. bedroom facing another identical building no more than 100' away, if that.
Par EndFedz 10 meter wire slingshotted to pine tree outside window, ended up slight downward slant from window to tree.
Matchbox is just outside window w/coax coming in thru window. (Thru window how? See next paragraph)
Buy smallest diameter foam insulation tube (for water pipes) available @ H.D./Lowes. Cut exact length to fit under window so that you have to squeeze ends together to fit in window channel on either side. Use hobby knife to slice slot down from top about halfway for each coax you need to install. Install each coax & close window tightly on top of tube & it will fill in airtight around coax. If you have open space between top & bottom sash get another foam tube, cut to fit & jam in nice & tight. For security I'd cut a length of small PVC pipe plus 2 end caps just so it has to be forced slightly to fit betwee the window & the top frame. Secure & airtight!
Antenna performance is nothing to brag about unless you consider it's stuck between 2 apt. bldgs about one story below the peak of each roof! Happily SWR is good.
FWIW to Y'all:
My QTH: 3rd floor apt. bedroom facing another identical building no more than 100' away, if that.
Par EndFedz 10 meter wire slingshotted to pine tree outside window, ended up slight downward slant from window to tree.
Matchbox is just outside window w/coax coming in thru window. (Thru window how? See next paragraph)
Buy smallest diameter foam insulation tube (for water pipes) available @ H.D./Lowes. Cut exact length to fit under window so that you have to squeeze ends together to fit in window channel on either side. Use hobby knife to slice slot down from top about halfway for each coax you need to install. Install each coax & close window tightly on top of tube & it will fill in airtight around coax. If you have open space between top & bottom sash get another foam tube, cut to fit & jam in nice & tight. For security I'd cut a length of small PVC pipe plus 2 end caps just so it has to be forced slightly to fit betwee the window & the top frame. Secure & airtight!
Antenna performance is nothing to brag about unless you consider it's stuck between 2 apt. bldgs about one story below the peak of each roof! Happily SWR is good.
I found a very simple way of getting feed lines into the house. Fit a 1 x 6" board in a window then shut the window on it. Hasn't fell out yet. Two or three bulkhead connectors for coax and drilled a couple of holes the right distance a part to slip ladder line through (hot glued the wires in) and make appropriate connections in/out side.
I lost the use of a screen on that window, but very seldom open it anyway.
Nothing new about it, the idea has been around for decades. MFJ even makes such a thingy now. MFJ's being metal means a handy place to do grounding too.
- 'Doc
Can people get inside the house that way? If they're desperate, yes. Then they get to worry about getting out. The 'pets' won't like it much.
I lost the use of a screen on that window, but very seldom open it anyway.
Nothing new about it, the idea has been around for decades. MFJ even makes such a thingy now. MFJ's being metal means a handy place to do grounding too.
- 'Doc
Can people get inside the house that way? If they're desperate, yes. Then they get to worry about getting out. The 'pets' won't like it much.
I've used differing length bulkhead adapters over the years. I install them thru Window facings, sill plates and anywhere they'll fit. Lets me have a nice seal and full use of my windows. Even ran them thru brick and block.
http://redmancbparts.com/6-so239-barrel-antenna-coax-connector-2/
The longest I've ever seen were 24"
Ladder line I do the same except bring it in thru PVC with capped ends for sealing.
I understand that your in an apartment and probably can't drill holes.
http://redmancbparts.com/6-so239-barrel-antenna-coax-connector-2/
The longest I've ever seen were 24"
Ladder line I do the same except bring it in thru PVC with capped ends for sealing.
I understand that your in an apartment and probably can't drill holes.
O
oldslowchevy
Guest
eor what it is worth i am a cb'er but i to live in an apartment. i made a dipole and it seems to work well, not wonderful but i have little issues being heard.
Been stuck in the apartment "stuff" before....
Having been around a little more since then....
I would be looking to do something like this!.....
Most certainly if I was 2 or more stories up and had ALUM gutters to use for a counterpoise....
I covered my "Balcony deck with "chicken wire"
....and used a Hustler Mast and loads....
All the Best
BJ
Having been around a little more since then....
I would be looking to do something like this!.....
Most certainly if I was 2 or more stories up and had ALUM gutters to use for a counterpoise....
I covered my "Balcony deck with "chicken wire"
....and used a Hustler Mast and loads....All the Best
BJ
Attachments
well I was messing around with this rain gutter today on an the Echo Charlie frequency in the 85m band, which just so happens to be where this rain gutter does not require a tuner at all I got a report back from a local that I was hitting him at a solid 10 over s9 and that was just letting the radio do it's thing.
now I have a way to talk, so I need to get legal...
now I have a way to talk, so I need to get legal...
I have a Yaesu ATAS 120 screwdriver in my attic, mounted it to a quad j-box with various size lengths of 12" rolled roof flashing connected to the base. The antenna is mounted center of the attic so it clears the peak when extended to 40m (slight angle needed for my attic). The flashing runs in several directions and cut to whatever the longest lengths will allow. If you aren't using a Yaesu I'm sure a Tarheel or Sierra will do the trick too. Might save gas if you must rely on being mobile to talk, but you'll miss out on the outdoor view.