[Antennas] Attic Antenna

2003年2月15日 19:18:18 -0000

Hi Mike.
	Well, to put it to you easy.... any hunk of wire in the air is better than
being off the air.
	I was once in your shoes, in Germany. I was also quite poor. I did some
experimenting. Some of it was more successful than others, but you know
what... I had a blast working anyone over there. The antenna that ended up
serving me best was several slinky toys soldered together, either as a
random wire or a dipole. I probably worked 1/2 of Europe and N. Africa on
that antenna. It was hung under the roof, but I was in a multi-floor
apartment, and the antenna was probably 70 feet above average terrain. The
problem was that it was a tile roof. When we had a heavy snow or rain, it
really didn't work well. On those days (and there were MANY in Germany) I
was limited to 144/430. In fact, I was the only station in Schweinfurt at
the time that worked the ST on 3.8 MHz, and I have the card to prove it.
Things were just right I guess. I also had a coax-dipole up for 20m, as an
inverted-V, and stapled to the beams of the attic. I worked 100 countries
in 40 days, beating DA2YF in our little private contest with it. (He was in
Platz, about 25 miles away) Was it as good as a beam? NO. Did it work?
Good enough for me... till I had another idea.
	So your results may vary. But you will have something. And that is better
than the alternative. I would say just try something, and use it till you
have another idea, then try that.
	Have you considered a loop configuration around the outside of the
roof-line? I have successfully done that by taking thin (22-24ga) Teflon
insulated wire and carefully tucking it under the shingles all the way
around. It worked well enough. If you get the right color insulation, it
is near impossible to spot.
	As you saw earlier, there are some on this list who will belittle you for
not building or using a "proper" antenna. Well, I am no scientist. To hear
them tell it, I am not even a ham. But I have had a lot of years using
wires under the roof and glad I had it. A few dB down and on the air is
better than not being on at all. Put up what you can, and try it. Worst
that can happen is you change it later on.
Good luck, let us know how you do.
Mike. KD9KC
El Paso, TX.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of [email protected]
> Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2003 6:44 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [Antennas] Attic Antenna
>>> OK - let's see if I got it right. Outside antennas are best
> - unfortunatly, I have no choice.
>> Attic antennas need to be clear of obstructions, and a
> balanced configuration is preferred over an end fed one
> - right?
>> Mike