Really appreciate episodes like this. So many of us have to live with highly compromised antennas for one reason or another. So it's good to see you exploring solutions like this!
It does work. I used a "Texas Bug Catcher" coil, alumnum foil rolled out in an "X" under a metal mixing bowel that had a bumper mount connector in the middle of it's bottom. Oh, and a telescopic section above the coil. I worked 40 and above with that on my aparment livingroom floor using 50 watts from my Ten Tec Scout.
I'm moving into an apartment right now and I was trying to figure how to antenna. This video came out right on time! Going to have to try this out. Thanks Mike!
Ron, Get a piece of "faraday cloth" (maybe not using those terms, use "conductive fabric" instead). VBR did a test and it's a much more elegant and easy solution, no scratching things up, packs nearly, and it works just as well.
The Faraday cloth seems to work the same as window screen, it's just easier to handle. I have a bunch of Wolf River stuff, I'm going to try that inside.
Have you found if it tends to favor a particular direction? I’d like to stick something like this out of my 2nd floor window and it would be on an angle too. Tnx de WB3CFN!
My (ground floor) apartment is just about long enough for a 20m dipole. I set up an inverted V using just a painters pole, and I could pick up FT8 signals from all over North America, and even some in Europe! You're absolutely right, it is a compromise, but what matters is getting on the air. There's still plenty to do!
Awesome Mike. I just picked up Michael's latest gadget which is Faraday cloth. Gonna try it tomorrow for support your parks along with the 17' whip. The Faraday cloth is conductive and does not roll up like that. Since it is more cloth like, it just folds up. Anyway, great video. BTW, that is an awesome T-Shirt you had on. Fits you to a T. 🤣
Thanks for confirming the YL net on 14.332 still active. I was a regular on it when I was ZC4MO way back in 1969. Happy to give the YL's what was often a new country for their log. Ian G4JIU
That’s great! A while ago I threw a wire inside the apartment and worked Croatia, Italy on FT8. FT8 does some magic, unfortunately for me I have no interest in it
Thank You for your Video on the Apt antenna, it's a problem I am luck enough to be able to install an en Fed in a U format cut to 7.1 Mhz, outside (6th Floor) that works great for SSB ... we need more video's like your's, thank you.
I know. People keep telling me about it as if I didn't already know. I even pinned a comment at the top saying I know about faraday cloth and they're still coming in. But yes, I'm sure the faraday cloth industry is seeing a big boom in sales right now.
Thanks--added a WRC mini to my WRC Collection of stuff--that and the 78"antenna Now I have all three! Will try with Faraday Cloth in hotel room and Xeigu G-90 to see how it shakes out. If all there is is FT 8, 4 and JS 8 Call, etc--then its a start at least.
Window screen is really easy to get. If the feet of the antenna are not conductive, you can make a wire with two scissor or gator clips, clip one to the base of the antenna and the other to part of the screen. I think that works okay, too. Please correct me if I’m wrong. - KF0QNM
This was really cool and a super trick way for people to get on the air if they are in very compromised conditions. But, please, don't get me wrong here, but when you start making SSB contacts using this setup, then I'll be impressed. A lot of us don't do digital for all the already known reasons. 😁
Thanks for the tip. Now that MFJ has shut down and the MFJ-1624 Apartment Antenna is no longer available I am looking for any solution I can get. My one doubt is that you did this in a HOUSE. Which probably has a wood frame. I live in an actual apartment building, with NO BALCONY that probably has iron girders or iron rebar in the walls. So it will more likely work as a big Faraday Cage.
Thanks for the video, good info. I am a new ham Technician and have a HT. Looking into 10 m and need a simple yet effective antenna. This looks like just the thing I was looking for. I can even put it outside in the yard at my house and also take it with me to the park.
👍😀It was a nice addition to superimpose the B roll video on to the TV screen. I know you mentioned that you were messing around with some of the effects in DaVinci Resolve.
In some countries (like Brazil and Germany) they use armored concrete for apartment structure, which blocks most RF. So, if you're outside USA and Canada, or if you're on a tall building with steel flooring and ceiling, you might have trouble with any indoor antenna (even mag loops). But it is always worth a try!
If you happen to be in a building with concrete and real bricks, there still is a solution (if you have terrace for example), or if your can hang a wire to a tree and have an L antenna. Lots can be done unless you are in a high-rise building with reinforced concrete and no trees nor any terrace now that's not good (you still have the solution to go mobile or portable). Any piece of metal in the air will send your signal. You may need an artificial ground device, and or an ATU, but you will have contacts. I did lots of experiments, sometimes mind blowing contacts. One good advice : never give up, there's ALWAYS a solution.
I was in an apartment and when I used an indoor (or even an outdoor) antenna, I popped the AFCI breakers in my apartment and those around me. I could get by with about a watt though.
Mike, I’ve been looking at this video recently and am very intrigued at its viability in my specific scenario. I live in a second floor of a three story concrete loft building with 14 foot ceilings. My steel balcony has one other balcony above it but has a clear view of sky. Directly in front of my view (25 feet away) is a 14 story building that obstructs view but doesn’t obstruct a narrow sliver of sky. I currently have an excellent low loss coaxial fed thru a hole in my exterior brick wall, that will connect to any antenna on balcony, In your expert opinion… would this “magic carpet” work in my apartment w/ concrete ceiling? Or placing it my balcony (w/ a single steel balcony above mine)? I very much want to invest in a 50-80 watt mobile Tri band radio and do NVIS, or any other technique that will be successful. Please advise. Thank you.
I'm going to have to try this in a hotel room on my next business trip. A mag loop didn't here much in the room. It will be interesting to see if some more capture area helps.
Thanx, that WAS cool, showing it IS possible using even an indoor antenna! Great info & interesting abt the Wolf River Coil antenna, too! 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 😃
I live in NYC and am space limited at the house. There are 6 POTA parks in this Borough (Staten Island). So I’m thinking I can mount the WRC on the roof of my Suburban with the MFJ mag mount and have some success. Thanks for your videos they are very helpful. KE2CQF 73
I have the same WRC soda and I got a screen.. rent a room in a house and at night I set it up in my room works good.. but in the day time I put it in the back yard just outside my room and wow you do get much more ..I wish I could leave it out side all the time.. my brother owns the house and told me he would be willing to mount it on the house for me but I am not sure how that would work without the screen cant use that if its on a pole.
Excellent idea! Probably be a good idea to add a 10,000 Watt Amplifier and put it on your night stand right next to your head! And as long as you keep screwing around with this crap you will always live in an apartment!
Have you heard of Faraday cloth? It's supposed to be as good as metal screening but folds and unfolds like a blanket. (N0 Curl factor to contend with) Also great for POTA/SOTA. I'll be QRP tomorrow and try to join you on the air. It's a shame I'll have to miss the food though!
@@hamradiotube Well, to be honest, I just found out about it about a week ago even though it's been around for years. As far as my apt. goes. I live in a 100 yr old building with lathe & plaster, chicken wire walls. Nothing gets out of here. I'll have to build the dreaded loop. LOL
I have the Mad Dog 80 coil indoors on a magic carpet, but I'm getting 3+ SWR readings using the IC-705 on all bands. Do I need to ground the magic carpet? Why the SWR is in the red? Can't seem to figure it out ... 73
I'm curious how "short" the screen plane can be and still be useful. I'm just getting started and reading and youtubing around a lot to learn what's what; I also have no idea if I'll ever be able to set up a "good" HF antenna, so I'm fascinated by experiments like this.
I’d like to see it too. As a mobile operator, I suspect my station wagon roof provides a similar square footage for my ATAS-120A on a 3 magnet mount. I’m chasing Mobile DXCC but stuck at 57 different DX entities.
Mike, it looks to me like you have your Noise Reduction or Autonotch turned on on your radio. These functions tend to "blur" the FT8 signals on your waterfall. 73 VE3GKT
Way cool, I was wondering about that. While I'm not restricted by an HOA for an outside antenna, I do have a limitation with power lines above me running parallel with the center line of the house, and too small of a yard to run a wire antenna. I have an indoor 2M/70cm antenna setup and I was wondering if an indoor HF could be done. I have vaulted ceilings and I could probably get away with a 17ft telescopic antenna on my Ranger 80. 73 KN6VMK
Previous Mike: I don't see myself taking a screen window with me when I go out portable. At Lowes Mike: Ma'am, what is the longest length of window screen I can buy? 😂😂😂
Lol!! I actually took the screen out to the park on Saturday too. It's pretty darn easy to set up vs. the 3, 33' wires. A bunch of pine needles did get stuck in it though.
Unfortunately, another problem I have is that my apartment building has _just too much RF noise_ in it, probably from my Internet provider's equipment. Additionally, the space in my apartment is only 3.12 metres high. 73 VE7NDE
I suspect you'd have to try it yourself and find out. Although if you have a shorter balcony than 12 feet, as is the length of this screen, you may be able to cut it in half and widen it to say, 2, 6' lengths for example. Technically the individual length of ground radials doesn't matter as much as just the amount of over all metal (wire) that is out. I did a series of videos ruclips.net/p/PLvjQnyd_Fwboa7vAxPOndP_Q5GyE_EZzU experimenting with more, but shorter radials that you may find helpful.
I want to learn how to get my evolve to look like that. I have two FT8 contacts and I don't know how i got them verified. Love all you guys and your videoes. Thanks!
Sad you have to explain one must use metal, not plastic screen. I live in a Faraday cage, 2nd floor in a 3 story building, with a covered walkway between my unit and the edge of the walk, no window close to uncovered space. Worst possible scenario. With a long wire, mag loop, and anything else I've tried, on two different field days I was lucky to hear 2 stations, and could not contact one.
Can this antenna cut down on TV interference problems? I was using a g5rv antenna indoors and I had a TV interference problem will the antenna that you have cut down on TV interference?
Will this work for shortwave listening? I have a little portable and live just outside the city and need something... i was recommended a magnetic loop antenna because of all the noise but am looking for something cheaper and more portable just for receiving...
Question: I just bought a used Icom IC-736 in great condition,, should I be looking to buy or build a multiple frequency dipole? (I have an Antron 99 out up on the roof). I used it for my Super star s3900G radio. What say ye?
Yes. It was. And it's all Franks fault, damnit!! I did just buy an M1 MacBook Air to remedy my portable computer situation, but...to get to your question...Hmmm, for me I'd still rock the shorter radials. Though I don't have the experience with the magic carpet out in the field like KB9VBR has in terms of how well it works, from a pure size factor, I'd still take the wire. I'm not trying to roll up a window screen and shove it into my radio go bag. It's just too big. Never mind all the pieces of wire sticking out from the screen that want to latch onto everything like a velcro you never asked for. This gives me ideas. But I do know this, DO NOT LET FRANK NEAR YOUR COMPUTER!!!
Mike! Bro, do you even bwahahahahahaha . . . I started laughing the minute I saw your shirt, lol. Hilarious! Nice video, Sir. Pretty smart hammin', there. I'm all choked up, lol. See what I did there? See you out there. 73 de Bill
It's just a slab. Aint no basements in TX. I can't imagine it not working on a second floor. You're getting more height which is always a good thing, and the screen is the ground radial. What's underneath it shouldn't matter that much.
@@hamradiotube I think I recall seeing an article about radials having to capacitively couple to the ground. Elevated radials have to be tuned, ground radials don't, so maybe there's something to it. That's why I was asking. Your floor is the ground for all practical purposes- a second floor or a floor over a basement would be like elevated radials? Dunno- just pondering... I'll give it a shot once this POTA weekend event dies down, and I have time to play mad scientist again.
Well I'll tell you, antenna theory fascinates me beyond belief, but unfortunately, I'm not the smartest guy in the world. Far from it. Elevated radials and ground radials are really two different things. Yes, elevated radials need to be tuned, as is the case with antennas like the BuddiStick Pro. In this case I still wouldn't call these elevated radials as they don't need to be tuned. The whole thing is elevated if you were to be on the second floor (antenna, radials, etc.). There's a lot that goes into what you're asking but it's my understanding (which is probably at least somewhat wrong) that "ground radials" are merely acting as the ground for the antenna. The other half, if you will, of the "dipole" which we are kind of making here, although it is loaded. Not necessarily coupled with ground, though that does play a factor. For example, in the summer here in TX, I've found I have to use more ground radials with vertical antennas like the WRC to achieve a good match because it's 105+ degrees every day without any rain for months, making the soil very non conductive. Which I guess plays into what you are saying. The bottom line is, I really don't know. I'd be curious to find out. I love experimenting with things like this. I just don't have a second floor. Damn it! Now you got me thinking lol! Height above ground alone plays a big factor in how an antenna acts. But now that I think of it, as I'm writing back to you, I have tuned my WRC inside my house when I lived in MI with just the 3, 33' radials supplied and that was above a basement (single story house though). So I don't think it would really matter. I will however expect a full report from you on your findings by Friday lol. I'd be really curious to know. That was a great question.
@@hamradiotube You and me both on the antenna theory and not holding records for being smart! I'll get right on the report... Damn, haven't had a homework assignment for 50 years...
I think KB9VBR has set the world ablaze with this setup. And now with the Faraday cloth. I just took this setup out yesterday for a POTA outing I hosted and it was stupid easy to setup. I actually liked it more than the radials as far as setup goes. Way faster. The only downside is I got a bunch of pine needles in it when I was winding it back up that I had to deal with, but it wasn't that big of a deal.
Yes, I have heard of Faraday Cloth.
UT5UF is from Ukraine, but the W6 prefix means he's operating from the 6-call region of the US (California).
Exactly, that shows he was a foreign station operating in California at the time of the contact.
Really appreciate episodes like this. So many of us have to live with highly compromised antennas for one reason or another. So it's good to see you exploring solutions like this!
It does work. I used a "Texas Bug Catcher" coil, alumnum foil rolled out in an "X" under a metal mixing bowel that had a bumper mount connector in the middle of it's bottom. Oh, and a telescopic section above the coil. I worked 40 and above with that on my aparment livingroom floor using 50 watts from my Ten Tec Scout.
I'm moving into an apartment right now and I was trying to figure how to antenna. This video came out right on time! Going to have to try this out. Thanks Mike!
Well how do you like them apples!
Ron,
Get a piece of "faraday cloth" (maybe not using those terms, use "conductive fabric" instead). VBR did a test and it's a much more elegant and easy solution, no scratching things up, packs nearly, and it works just as well.
@@jamess1787where can you get conductive cloth. I have asked at fabric stores and they have never heard of it.
dude the tv in the back animating everything is totally cool
Hey Mike, Michael is now using Faraday Cloth instead of the Stainless Steel screen. The cloth seems to work just as good and it’s way more portable.
I know.
?????@@hamradiotube
The Faraday cloth seems to work the same as window screen, it's just easier to handle. I have a bunch of Wolf River stuff, I'm going to try that inside.
I was going to say "in B4"... Might have to change it to "in after".
😂
So could you make yourself a set of clothes with Faraday cloth and then use yourself as a ground plane for a handheld?
There's always a way. Did it once as a demo. It worked. Put it by a window or better yet out on the balcony and performance will likely improve.
I liked how you had the antenna components pop up on the TV in the background. Very nice.
Thank you very much!
I live in a condo. I use a telescopic whip on the balcony sticking out at a angle. Works fine
Have you found if it tends to favor a particular direction? I’d like to stick something like this out of my 2nd floor window and it would be on an angle too. Tnx de WB3CFN!
My (ground floor) apartment is just about long enough for a 20m dipole. I set up an inverted V using just a painters pole, and I could pick up FT8 signals from all over North America, and even some in Europe!
You're absolutely right, it is a compromise, but what matters is getting on the air. There's still plenty to do!
Howz it do with SSB?
@@Redbelly357 haven't tried SSB yet... I'm more interested in digital comms and also learning CW
Awesome Mike. I just picked up Michael's latest gadget which is Faraday cloth. Gonna try it tomorrow for support your parks along with the 17' whip. The Faraday cloth is conductive and does not roll up like that. Since it is more cloth like, it just folds up. Anyway, great video. BTW, that is an awesome T-Shirt you had on. Fits you to a T. 🤣
I just got made some very close and I've got to try it this weekend doing a park on the Just to see how it works 73 KQ4AHR
Thanks for confirming the YL net on 14.332 still active. I was a regular on it when I was ZC4MO way back in 1969. Happy to give the YL's what was often a new country for their log.
Ian G4JIU
Imagine reaching Europe on the power of a Christmas tree light, not the whole string, just one type C bulb. Imagine no one on 2M believing it, lol
Ha! I just moved to Conroe! New to ham radio and loving your videos.
Great video, practical for people with housing with restrictions.
That’s great! A while ago I threw a wire inside the apartment and worked Croatia, Italy on FT8. FT8 does some magic, unfortunately for me I have no interest in it
Just found your channel here with this video. Subscribed just because I like the shirt.
Thank You for your Video on the Apt antenna, it's a problem I am luck enough to be able to install an en Fed in a U format cut to 7.1 Mhz, outside (6th Floor) that works great for SSB ... we need more video's like your's, thank you.
The amount of faraday cloth purchased this week must have been astronomical. Going to get the SOTA special and the faraday cloth going on POTA soon!
I know. People keep telling me about it as if I didn't already know. I even pinned a comment at the top saying I know about faraday cloth and they're still coming in. But yes, I'm sure the faraday cloth industry is seeing a big boom in sales right now.
That phone screen / wallpaper is awesome
Thanks--added a WRC mini to my WRC Collection of stuff--that and the 78"antenna Now I have all three! Will try with Faraday Cloth in hotel room and Xeigu G-90 to see how it shakes out. If all there is is FT 8, 4 and JS 8 Call, etc--then its a start at least.
Window screen is really easy to get. If the feet of the antenna are not conductive, you can make a wire with two scissor or gator clips, clip one to the base of the antenna and the other to part of the screen. I think that works okay, too. Please correct me if I’m wrong. - KF0QNM
This was really cool and a super trick way for people to get on the air if they are in very compromised conditions. But, please, don't get me wrong here, but when you start making SSB contacts using this setup, then I'll be impressed. A lot of us don't do digital for all the already known reasons. 😁
Thanks for the video and really cool! Looking to get back into ham radio after being away for years! 73s.
Awesome metal screen antenna. I dabble in crystal radio and AM DXing. Ham radio seems like a good way to meet guy friends 👍
Thanks for the tip. Now that MFJ has shut down and the MFJ-1624 Apartment Antenna is no longer available I am looking for any solution I can get.
My one doubt is that you did this in a HOUSE. Which probably has a wood frame. I live in an actual apartment building, with NO BALCONY that probably has iron girders or iron rebar in the walls. So it will more likely work as a big Faraday Cage.
Thanks for the video, good info. I am a new ham Technician and have a HT. Looking into 10 m and need a simple yet effective antenna. This looks like just the thing I was looking for. I can even put it outside in the yard at my house and also take it with me to the park.
👍😀It was a nice addition to superimpose the B roll video on to the TV screen. I know you mentioned that you were messing around with some of the effects in DaVinci Resolve.
I'm dipping my toes in the Fusion page. It's pretty fun to be able to do more cool effects like that.
In some countries (like Brazil and Germany) they use armored concrete for apartment structure, which blocks most RF.
So, if you're outside USA and Canada, or if you're on a tall building with steel flooring and ceiling, you might have trouble with any indoor antenna (even mag loops). But it is always worth a try!
If you happen to be in a building with concrete and real bricks, there still is a solution (if you have terrace for example), or if your can hang a wire to a tree and have an L antenna. Lots can be done unless you are in a high-rise building with reinforced concrete and no trees nor any terrace now that's not good (you still have the solution to go mobile or portable).
Any piece of metal in the air will send your signal. You may need an artificial ground device, and or an ATU, but you will have contacts. I did lots of experiments, sometimes mind blowing contacts.
One good advice : never give up, there's ALWAYS a solution.
Just bought some Faraday cloth to try. Hope it works great!
Great info. Now I can operate and screw the HOA!
I was in an apartment and when I used an indoor (or even an outdoor) antenna, I popped the AFCI breakers in my apartment and those around me. I could get by with about a watt though.
Oh wow, that sucks.
Something that is more compact and convenient is called Faraday Cloth. Folds up compact and has no "memory"... Doug
Mike, I’ve been looking at this video recently and am very intrigued at its viability in my specific scenario. I live in a second floor of a three story concrete loft building with 14 foot ceilings. My steel balcony has one other balcony above it but has a clear view of sky. Directly in front of my view (25 feet away) is a 14 story building that obstructs view but doesn’t obstruct a narrow sliver of sky.
I currently have an excellent low loss coaxial fed thru a hole in my exterior brick wall, that will connect to any antenna on balcony,
In your expert opinion… would this “magic carpet” work in my apartment w/ concrete ceiling? Or placing it my balcony (w/ a single steel balcony above mine)?
I very much want to invest in a 50-80 watt mobile Tri band radio and do NVIS, or any other technique that will be successful.
Please advise. Thank you.
i love the arnold impersonation.... DO IT NOW!!!
I'm going to have to try this in a hotel room on my next business trip. A mag loop didn't here much in the room. It will be interesting to see if some more capture area helps.
Faraday cloth is much easier to deal with (in the field).
I got ahold of some a while back, interesting stuff.
Thanx, that WAS cool, showing it IS possible using even an indoor antenna! Great info & interesting abt the Wolf River Coil antenna, too! 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 😃
Hey if all you have is inside you do what you have to do. Nice!
I live in NYC and am space limited at the house. There are 6 POTA parks in this Borough (Staten Island). So I’m thinking I can mount the WRC on the roof of my Suburban with the MFJ mag mount and have some success. Thanks for your videos they are very helpful. KE2CQF 73
I have the same WRC soda and I got a screen.. rent a room in a house and at night I set it up in my room works good.. but in the day time I put it in the back yard just outside my room and wow you do get much more ..I wish I could leave it out side all the time.. my brother owns the house and told me he would be willing to mount it on the house for me but I am not sure how that would work without the screen cant use that if its on a pole.
Need to find some hams in my area, ITS KILLING ME !!
PS.thank you for the videos man, I appreciate it🎉
LOVE the t-shirt!!
If you can set it up outside I would forgo the coil and get a remote tuner. Never tried this but you could adjust the impedance from inside. 🤔
Excellent idea! Probably be a good idea to add a 10,000 Watt Amplifier and put it on your night stand right next to your head! And as long as you keep screwing around with this crap you will always live in an apartment!
love the aprs shirt mike 🤣
It's the best!
Cool stuff Mike, Thanks
Have you heard of Faraday cloth? It's supposed to be as good as metal screening but folds and unfolds like a blanket. (N0 Curl factor to contend with) Also great for POTA/SOTA. I'll be QRP tomorrow and try to join you on the air. It's a shame I'll have to miss the food though!
Yes. I knew of it before this video but now you're about the 10th person to mention it lol!
@@hamradiotube Well, to be honest, I just found out about it about a week ago even though it's been around for years. As far as my apt. goes. I live in a 100 yr old building with lathe & plaster, chicken wire walls. Nothing gets out of here. I'll have to build the dreaded loop. LOL
I have the Mad Dog 80 coil indoors on a magic carpet, but I'm getting 3+ SWR readings using the IC-705 on all bands. Do I need to ground the magic carpet? Why the SWR is in the red? Can't seem to figure it out ... 73
Awesome! That’s a neat way to take advantage of the smaller size of the WRC SOTA Special.
I'm curious how "short" the screen plane can be and still be useful. I'm just getting started and reading and youtubing around a lot to learn what's what; I also have no idea if I'll ever be able to set up a "good" HF antenna, so I'm fascinated by experiments like this.
Can you use wires instead of screen? Perhaps running to a ground, which might be a banana plug in the ground hole for an AC socket.
Thanks for this!
Good deal thanks Mike, that is exactly the antenna setup i am going to use for POTA. An FT-891 into a WRC sota antenna package.
73
KE0IKG
JuSt moved from a house to an apartment, so this is very timely. Thanks so much! BTW, what is the software on the PC?
I just completed editing a paper on why the screen work. Size and deployment make a difference. It will be a u tube vid soon
Glenn N6JAI
I want to see that.
I’d like to see it too. As a mobile operator, I suspect my station wagon roof provides a similar square footage for my ATAS-120A on a 3 magnet mount. I’m chasing Mobile DXCC but stuck at 57 different DX entities.
I third that motion for the video.
Now I need a magnetic loop. A big one!
Mike, it looks to me like you have your Noise Reduction or Autonotch turned on on your radio. These functions tend to "blur" the FT8 signals on your waterfall. 73 VE3GKT
Noise reduction doesn't effect FT8 but the notch sure does. I also had my AGC on slow. I forgot to #hamharder
Way cool, I was wondering about that. While I'm not restricted by an HOA for an outside antenna, I do have a limitation with power lines above me running parallel with the center line of the house, and too small of a yard to run a wire antenna. I have an indoor 2M/70cm antenna setup and I was wondering if an indoor HF could be done. I have vaulted ceilings and I could probably get away with a 17ft telescopic antenna on my Ranger 80.
73 KN6VMK
Heck yeah. Give it a try.
Previous Mike: I don't see myself taking a screen window with me when I go out portable.
At Lowes Mike: Ma'am, what is the longest length of window screen I can buy? 😂😂😂
Lol!! I actually took the screen out to the park on Saturday too. It's pretty darn easy to set up vs. the 3, 33' wires. A bunch of pine needles did get stuck in it though.
@@hamradiotube Yep. Radials are the devil.
Mike, Just think of the pine needles as camouflage. 😅
Joe KB9RCR
Nice idea for the Apt.. but is that mesh screen staying on the floor?
And what was that, black cat "Ham-Alert" thingy..?
Awesome shirt!
The best!
Try faraday fabric next.
Unfortunately, another problem I have is that my apartment building has _just too much RF noise_ in it, probably from my Internet provider's equipment. Additionally, the space in my apartment is only 3.12 metres high.
73 VE7NDE
Great stuff, time to take a magic carpet ride. What power were you using Mike? Thanks!
10 watts
Love the t-shirt Mike! KB2GCG
Mike can the screen be cut to size of my balcony?
I suspect you'd have to try it yourself and find out. Although if you have a shorter balcony than 12 feet, as is the length of this screen, you may be able to cut it in half and widen it to say, 2, 6' lengths for example. Technically the individual length of ground radials doesn't matter as much as just the amount of over all metal (wire) that is out. I did a series of videos ruclips.net/p/PLvjQnyd_Fwboa7vAxPOndP_Q5GyE_EZzU experimenting with more, but shorter radials that you may find helpful.
I want to learn how to get my evolve to look like that. I have two FT8 contacts and I don't know how i got them verified. Love all you guys and your videoes. Thanks!
I'm just using WSJT-X and GridTracker. ruclips.net/video/lqBAsOX4Mdg/видео.html
Can you show how you tuned that in other words how many clicks did you use on the coil to get to each band
God I wish I had this I’ve had a ft710 for months can’t get hf at all
good stuff! hope see this and go hey i can do this from my apartment
Sad you have to explain one must use metal, not plastic screen.
I live in a Faraday cage, 2nd floor in a 3 story building, with a covered walkway between my unit and the edge of the walk, no window close to uncovered space. Worst possible scenario. With a long wire, mag loop, and anything else I've tried, on two different field days I was lucky to hear 2 stations, and could not contact one.
I just tried this with the Faraday cloth and successfully hunted a pota in Nova Scotia from Rhode Island
Is the special sauce the metal screen you put down? That is pretty cool if that is correct.
Can this antenna cut down on TV interference problems? I was using a g5rv antenna indoors and I had a TV interference problem will the antenna that you have cut down on TV interference?
Hey Mike - question from a new Ham here- what are the names on the running list at the end of your vids? TY
Mike...get to the choppa!!!
What's wrong with using a magnetic loop antenna, it might have worked even better in this particular situation?
Have you transmitted from inside the house thanks
Will this work for shortwave listening? I have a little portable and live just outside the city and need something... i was recommended a magnetic loop antenna because of all the noise but am looking for something cheaper and more portable just for receiving...
Question: I just bought a used Icom IC-736 in great condition,, should I be looking to buy or build a multiple frequency dipole? (I have an Antron 99 out up on the roof). I used it for my Super star s3900G radio.
What say ye?
The evolve was working great until tank broke it.
magic carpet vs short multiple radials comparison?
Yes. It was. And it's all Franks fault, damnit!! I did just buy an M1 MacBook Air to remedy my portable computer situation, but...to get to your question...Hmmm, for me I'd still rock the shorter radials. Though I don't have the experience with the magic carpet out in the field like KB9VBR has in terms of how well it works, from a pure size factor, I'd still take the wire. I'm not trying to roll up a window screen and shove it into my radio go bag. It's just too big. Never mind all the pieces of wire sticking out from the screen that want to latch onto everything like a velcro you never asked for. This gives me ideas. But I do know this, DO NOT LET FRANK NEAR YOUR COMPUTER!!!
As a complete newbie, I am not sure I understand the use of the screen or faraday cloth. Is it necessary?
Any reason not to use this outdoors vs the normal counterpoise radials? Seems like a way faster setup.
You absolutely can. Michael, KB9VBR does it all the time.
I’m pretty sure if you would have put the antenna closer to the window you would’ve heard more stations.
Where do I get that setup
i Don't play with ft8, so Im assuming it would work on sideband as will with qrp power? 5 watts max for indoor use?
Would using a screen like that work with a Yaesu ATAS antenna?
Mike! Bro, do you even bwahahahahahaha . . . I started laughing the minute I saw your shirt, lol. Hilarious! Nice video, Sir. Pretty smart hammin', there. I'm all choked up, lol. See what I did there? See you out there. 73 de Bill
Is this only available in USA?
Please use the Metric System.
Oh crap, you're right. I usually do.
amazing
is this any good for SDR setups?
Did you try this with some short radials? Naturally ones that fit the room?
Intersting... A question- do you have a basement or is it slab on grade? If no basement, I'd like to see how it works from a second floor or higher.
It's just a slab. Aint no basements in TX. I can't imagine it not working on a second floor. You're getting more height which is always a good thing, and the screen is the ground radial. What's underneath it shouldn't matter that much.
@@hamradiotube I think I recall seeing an article about radials having to capacitively couple to the ground. Elevated radials have to be tuned, ground radials don't, so maybe there's something to it. That's why I was asking. Your floor is the ground for all practical purposes- a second floor or a floor over a basement would be like elevated radials? Dunno- just pondering... I'll give it a shot once this POTA weekend event dies down, and I have time to play mad scientist again.
Well I'll tell you, antenna theory fascinates me beyond belief, but unfortunately, I'm not the smartest guy in the world. Far from it. Elevated radials and ground radials are really two different things. Yes, elevated radials need to be tuned, as is the case with antennas like the BuddiStick Pro. In this case I still wouldn't call these elevated radials as they don't need to be tuned. The whole thing is elevated if you were to be on the second floor (antenna, radials, etc.). There's a lot that goes into what you're asking but it's my understanding (which is probably at least somewhat wrong) that "ground radials" are merely acting as the ground for the antenna. The other half, if you will, of the "dipole" which we are kind of making here, although it is loaded. Not necessarily coupled with ground, though that does play a factor. For example, in the summer here in TX, I've found I have to use more ground radials with vertical antennas like the WRC to achieve a good match because it's 105+ degrees every day without any rain for months, making the soil very non conductive. Which I guess plays into what you are saying. The bottom line is, I really don't know. I'd be curious to find out. I love experimenting with things like this. I just don't have a second floor. Damn it! Now you got me thinking lol! Height above ground alone plays a big factor in how an antenna acts. But now that I think of it, as I'm writing back to you, I have tuned my WRC inside my house when I lived in MI with just the 3, 33' radials supplied and that was above a basement (single story house though). So I don't think it would really matter. I will however expect a full report from you on your findings by Friday lol. I'd be really curious to know. That was a great question.
@@hamradiotube You and me both on the antenna theory and not holding records for being smart! I'll get right on the report... Damn, haven't had a homework assignment for 50 years...
so it is possible to work HF in an apartment?
Well done, Mike. I have a friend who uses a similar setup for POTA activations....out doors of course.
I think KB9VBR has set the world ablaze with this setup. And now with the Faraday cloth. I just took this setup out yesterday for a POTA outing I hosted and it was stupid easy to setup. I actually liked it more than the radials as far as setup goes. Way faster. The only downside is I got a bunch of pine needles in it when I was winding it back up that I had to deal with, but it wasn't that big of a deal.
Perhaps the laws of physics cease to exist on your stove.
No self respecting Southerner cooks instant grits.