Many years ago, in a similar situation, I used an indoor dipole -
snaking the wire around the point where the walls met the ceiling of
various rooms in my very small apartment.
It was even a multi-band dipole utilizing alligator clips to shorten or
lengthen the dipole depending on the band in use.
Worked all kinds of DX with a 70 watt Ten-Tec Century 21 CW transceiver.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
Kent, AE4Y
On 7/16/12 2:19 PM, Greg - N3ZL wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have had a bit of contact with a few SECCers in recent months, but
> much. I graduated from Clemson in May and moved into an apartment in
> Greenville, SC shortly afterwards for a job doing quality assurance work
> for a software company. I have been getting adjusted to the new "life"
> and am getting fairly settled in at this point. I have most of my ham
> gear with me, there are a few things at my parents house, but the
> majority of it is with me. I am looking forward to participating in some
> contests again very soon -- once I get an antenna figured out.
>
> My apartment is on the 2nd floor in a 3 story complex, at the end of the
> building. Unfortunately, there are no trees nearby my window (I have a
> charming view of the parking lot) and, of course, my apartment complex
> has a strict "no external antennas of any type" policy. Several times
> now I have deployed a 20m dipole out my window late at night, one end
> tied to my small balcony and the other end more or less just dangling
> free, and managed to work some EU stations. I need a more long term
> solution though. I have been considering many different antenna options
> -- my favorite being a yagi on a tripod mounted on the roof.... I can
> dream! -- but given the logistics of the layout of my complex and
> everything, I think I'll start out with a long "invisible" dipole cut
> for 160m. I think I can make that work if I use thin enough wire, tie
> off the ends using fishing line to help keep it out of sight of the
> neighbors. Additionally, are relatively good tie off points around that
> length, with the center point being at my window. It wouldn't be great
> but it would be a whole lot better than no antenna and hopefully will
> get me going on all the bands.
>
> I've been reading over a lot of stealth/apartment antenna materials in
> recent weeks but if anyone has any brilliant suggestions I've been
> overlooking, please do let me know! Hope to QRV again very soon.
>
> 73 de Greg N3ZL
>
>
>
>
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