[SCCC] FW: Antenna for a newbe

[Bob Wilson]

I don't normally respond to unsolicited email from strangers, but this is
clearly not spam (and the guy seems sincere). If anyone in the Glendale area
wants to do a good deed for a (possible) aspiring ham, here's your
opportunity. It might be as simple as offering advice, based on the layout
of his property.

73!

-Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: sradecki at uci.edu [mailto:sradecki at uci.edu]
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 3:05 AM
To: N6HB at n6hb.org
Subject: Antenna for a newbe


Dear N6HB:
I need experienced help setting up a shortwave antenna for DXing.  I
bought an ICOM r75 from the Burbank Ham store and strung up the manager's
last (desperation) choice for an antenna--a #12 copper wire running 50
feet through my attic. The resulting 1:50 signal to noise ratio wasn't
what I had in mind, but I have a weird-shaped hillside yard, and my
options are limited
(small yard, just one tall tree, and that's a palm--you get the idea).

Moreover, as I read through the incredible wealth of information and ideas
on wire antennas from ARRL, magazines, and the web, I realized that
there's no way I could construct such things due to limitations from
arthritis.  What I could really use is an experienced Ham to assess the
yard, suggest the most feasible antenna (wire or otherwise) and actually
put it up for me.  I'm not necessarily looking for a commercial outfit,
just some guy who is knowledgeable in this area, good at fabrication (or
putting up an antenna kit) and willing to help me out as a paid
consultant.

I looked around here (Glendale) for telltale antennas, then found your web
site and figured that someone with your background might have
"connections" all over the greater LA area, one of whom you could refer me
to.  By the way, I used to work right in your back yard, as a professor
associated with UCI medical school (glad I'm not there now!).  My
department was in a building on the North side of a virtually empty
shopping mall, a block away from the hospital and situated between the
hotel and the cathedral.  Man, what a commute that was!  Couldn't even do
it now with today's gas prices.

Many thanks for whatever ideas you may have for me.  Getting connected
with a knowledgable antenna guy would also save me from having to go
through the mound of technical material I've accumulated (ARRL Antenna
Book, etc.).  Thanks again.

Stephen Radecki
3621 Emanual Drive
Glendale, CA 91208
818-541-9816
sradecki at uci.edu