Indoor Antennas In Apartment Building and Other Options (
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- Randy, KF4RJH, has some problems with space to put his antenna. He is asking me if he ca put up an inverted dipole inside his apartment and how well it should work. Watch to learn more on his interesting situation.
#indoor #hamsticks #magloop
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Something I might add when running severely compromised antennas is 'mindset'. I have been in this situation myself and it can be frustrating. But instead of focusing on all the stations in your mind that you can't hear; think about the ones you can hear and how even with a compromised antenna you are still making contacts. Think of it as a challenge and have fun with it. Add some parks or campground outdoor operations to satisfy the urge to make those DX contacts! As far as listening, there are many online WebSDR's as well.
Really appreciate this topic. More and more people are running into restricted space situations. The best indoor antenna so far I have found is the magnetic loop antenna. I've found they work great with a DSP(digital audio (signal) processor), and being high Q and very directional, they will at least equal a dipole antenna at restricted hight or outperform it by eliminating nearby electrical interference. Living in fort Lauderdale Florida, I can vouch for this because I lived two lots down from a power distribution yard and around some City street lights. Man made interference in restricted communities 60% of our battle to good communication. I also have used a "door antenna" or also known as a type of skeleton antenna (single or two turns). Mounted on an interior door, it can be rotated 90 degrees. I've been working on a "flower pot antenna" for twenty through six meters and found they are easy to build and even my wife doesn't mind two of them outside the front door. I ran the coax out the bottom corners of the door by notching out the trim edge and calking the coax in place. Once painted you really had to look close to see it. I used a plastic chord cover along the wall back to the station and touched it up with paint. It really turned out great. But the magnetic loop antenna still outperforms it and it sits on my table next to a sliding glass door set.
Thanks again for this video 👍. Ingenuity with imagination can come up with some amazing designs 😁.
You could always do the Hogans Heroes antenna.
Lol
Dave, for indoor antennas or wiring you can get either lightly insulated white or bare copper tape, adhesive on one side, designed as 16AWG equivalent for speaker wires and other low power. Probably ten bucks for 25 or 50 feet.
Installing that is just like putting Scotch tape on the wall. Inconspicuous. Quick and easy.
I'm on the second floor of an HOA building, with a nice big balcony, and I'm not a HAM operator, just a radio enthusiast looking to widen my reception beyond FM/AM, but this was still very helpful to consider options.
I wonder what the suggested wisdom is for connecting to a good ground when you're not on the ground floor - someone already advised me against connecting to the AC ground in the wall due to noise in the lines.
The Buddipole is still very much 'around'. I used mine for years in VHF contesting and SOTA/POTA ops. Three years ago I downsized to an apartment and my Buddi center-load dipole is my only antenna, outside on a third-floor balcony. It is tapped for 17m, but I use it from 6m to 20m with my barefoot KX3. The Elecraft T1 tuner makes it work on all those bands, but I am almost always on 10m or 20m, and I have worked WAS and about 25 countries on it, from CN89 in BC. I’d say it is the ideal balcony antenna. If you can't afford one, they are easy to home brew. 72, VE7VIE
I like the idea of a bird feeder antenna.👍
Me too. Just need to clean the bird droppings off the mag loop antenna base, every so often 😆 ......or don't put food in it
Dave, used a portable capacitance tripod (manufactured by Alpha Delta) with an Outbacker out of a 1st floor condo with 2×4 home made window pass-through with ground rod under window. Outbacker performed very well from 40 mtrs and up through 10 meters. 100 watt ssb. Just had to go outside to move band plug wire on Outbacker when changing bands. Plenty of contacts. When through, folded up and brought inside. Sometimes just moved it up against building when not in use. Still use antenna when portable and camping. Easy set up and down. KJ4BAD
I am running a 10m dipole exactly as you drew in my apartment. I have had no RFI issues and work FT8 and achieved my DXCC that way. Yes, it took just over 2 years to do it. But yes, my RX is much better than my TX. I am on the 3rd floor though.
" People don't use stereos anymore these days".... wow that's an under a rock statement.
My neighbors did till I bought a stereo of my own, turns out their on medicine was bad medicine.
Tractor Supply, Home DePot, Lowe’s have the supplies you need📻
I'm currently in this situation, and have been for three years. A Buddipole off the balcony works. I use mine in an L configuration. I did purchase a few antennas from QRP Guys that hopefully will expand my arsenal. I have no issues with setting up the antenna and taking it down when I'm done. With these wire antennas I'm currently working on, I will have to set up a fiberglass pole about 40 ft away from my balcony to use it. As long as the neighbors don't complain, I'm golden. Even if they do, you're probably not going to be home when I am operating. Or, it's going to be late in the evening in dark out. This is more for winter than anything else.
Living in an apartment is a pita. I am in a very similar situation. I noticed a drain hose coming out of the foundation that let me snake coax into the basement though. Now I deploy my telescopic whip on a stake in the flower bed when I want to operate. It's way closer to the building than I would like, but it works and that is what matters. I will run my 2m flower pot antenna inside instead of outside on the stake when the weather is bad. Aside from my computer speakers I have not noticed any significant rfi, and I just unplug them until I'm done.
KC3UVF
If the rfi is bothering your computer speakers is it also bothering your neighbors computer speakers?
@@david_W5QDF not very likely, but also not impossible. There have been no complaints, the apartment next door is vacant, and even my ht with the rubber duck makes these particular speakers crackle.
KC3UVF
surprised noone hasnt figured a grounding antennae using the house panels . or the ground plug on electrical outlets. using the ground throughout the apartment as one gigantic antenna
When renting a duplex I found one of my best antennas was a invisible end fed wire which I ran from my room outside through small tubing through the storm window and up the side of the duplex and out to a fence post. I had a counterpose inside running down to the basement. I used dark green Magwire #20 approx. Where it met with the fence post I used a rubber band between the antenna and the post for less stress on the wire. So it was a sloping wire down to the post from the duplex wall. You need a matching network or tuner between your rig and the wire.
Thanks for the tip!
long wire antenna and a helium balloon
☝🏻🤣🥳
I do use mfj manual tuner I love that thing you can run speaker wire to get out on .
I've really learned a lot from you Dave. Thank you very much. 73 KF0GPX
I used to operate with indoor antenna , I used MFJ artificial ground connected to water copper pipe, 30 ft of 26 AWG white wire thumb tacked to ceiling. used MFJ manual antenna tuner , later change to LDG Automatic Tuner. for CW it was great, not so great for SSB. I had regular QSO with distance of 1000 to 2000 miles regularly from Northern Utah to California, Oregon, Washington states. 600 miles to Southern California was just about right distance for single hop on most HF band. AG6JU
Should he have a ground wire?
Do they still make the Shakespeare Strick Antenna?
It worked in my one story home however your not gonna get out as well as as dedicated indoor antennea buy the indoor rig I think it's a fire stix. stuck.
Thank you, Dave. N0QFT
I have a 4 ft firestk in my attic i have spoke out 20 miles local
David, I live in central WV and just getting into ham radio. I would like to mount my antenna inside my 100 ft. long by 40 ft. wide pole building. The building is covered with aluminum sheeting and is insulated inside with spray foam. The building runs roughly east and west. It is located 100+ feet away from any neighbors. This would be on the second floor of the building. I am up against the hills on the north and south side of the building. The valley is really open east and west. Hopefully I will be able to receive on multiple bands. I do not anticipate running power at this time but may in the future. Your guidance in this matter is appreciated. James
Indoor antenna. Back in the Cold War days,the CIA taught agents how to place a drooping wire around the room in a circle, at the feed point and the Teri mansions connect the wires with a 4:1 Balinese.
The guys that used it said that it worked pretty good. Bill HZ3DX
MR. KF4RJI, Tractor Supply in NC west. Thats where I am, about 45 min. Drive to Burnsville. Just remember, the Burnsville area is full of Hams that will gladly help you. Contact Western NC Amateur Radio Service. You are in prime ham radio land mr. KF4RJI! If you need help you can contact CCARE, WCARS, or others in that area. They will help you. We have even gotten most apartment complexes to allow ham antennas in western NC.
I would buy the tallest tree available (like a cypress) and plant it in a large nice planter and use it hide a stealth wire antenna or vertical stick that I could switch based on the band. Or get a Yaesu FT-818 and a set of loading coil antennas like the HFJ-750 and use the radio portable and use it while you walk the dog or while taking a break in the yard. Or simply get out of the apartment and practice more POTA activations.
Would an inexpensive loop be better?
think about a multi band vertical from MFJ or Diamond. 73, g'd DX, G8PVI io91xi UK
How do you keep from setting off the apartment building fire alarm system or rattling people's amplified stereo speakers when transmitting?????
If it is affecting their computer speakers they should be taking action to solve their RFI issue rather than just unplugging their computer speakers. Be responsible and prevent complaints
@@david_W5QDF Thanks for the sermon. Now *HOW* does one "solve their RFI issue"?????? The person with an apartment setup will need much more specific advice HOW to get rid of RFI (potentially) in people's speakers and TV remotes changing channels every time he keys up on his transceiver, especially digital, which outputs 100% power with each tone, unlike voice, which modulates at about 40% power.
@@tlebryk ask our buddy Dave KE0OG
Hi Dave, I live in an apartment on the ground floor. I don’t have a back door. Any suggestions for an HF antenna? I know you probably have covered this subject before. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 73s Rob,wa2fmh.
He can make a homebrew buddy pole from pvc and speaker wire. The plans are still on line . You mount it on an extendable paint pole. Good portable antenna. You make coils for 20 , and a couple of other bands. Check out W3FF home Page. It's still there.
You are right, but why wouldn't it be there? Budd and Chris are very much in business as usual. More than ever with the current interest in outside ops, and with their new Hexbeam. It's Ventenna that has been abandoned.
What are the exposure limits for birds in the middle of a magloop? ;)
If they vaporize upon contact with the loop...back the power down a bit? 🤔
Just continue to check for an internal temperature of at least 165F. Should be safe to eat after that.
@@lonewolf9390 CQ, CQ, I smell BBQ 🔥
Not happy with answers but then looking for the same solution for decades.
Got a vintage star duster antennea never been up if interested hit me up
Too much receive RFI and EMI. If you create RFI or EMI for your neighbors you can be evicted.
4 watts dont try and amp it to much rf reflection could be harmful to humans animals and sensitive electronics.