[TenTec] Apartment antenna help

[joel hallas]

Al,

I expect that what you propose would work, but suggest that it would 
work even better wit a wire at least a quarter wavelength or longer at 
the lowest frequency, and longer will work even better. If there's a 
tree that can get it high and well clear of the building that would work 
great. I've had good luck with the backstay of my sailboat (about 35' 
semi-vertical), using an SG-237, and fed against the engine block, 
propeller shaft and all the dc wiring (through the negative connection 
to the block).

I'm not that familiar with metal frame constuction, but if the studs are 
electrically connected to the beams, connection to that structure should 
make a very good ground structure. I would think you could find it with 
a long sheetmetal screw through the sheetrock and into a stud next to a 
window, perhaps hidden under a drape. Only takes a little piece of soap 
(if the wall is the same color as the soap) to hide, when you're done.

GL and 73, Joel
Joel R. Hallas, W1ZR

Al Gulseth wrote:

>Greetings all,
>
>I'd like some "brainstorming" help on an antenna for my dad. He is on the 
>third floor of an assisted living apartment facility, and we've been trying 
>to figure out if we can get him on the air from there (even on a limited 
>basis). Dad has been trying some indoor antenna setups (such as the Hamstick 
>type dipole arrangements) but apparently to no avail. I suspect this has to 
>do with the construction of the building (i.e. iron frame etc.)
>
>I have talked to the head of the maintenance department at the facility and he 
>seems to be willing to work with me on an antenna, but obviously it needs to 
>be as unobtrusive as possible as well as require as little alteration to the 
>building as possible. Since dad primarily like to operate 40/30/20M, what I 
>am currently thinking as a solution is a 22' wire (either horizontal or 
>vertical) attached to the outside of the building with a bead of clear 
>caulking or RTV. I would need to get this through a window, so I am 
>envisioning using a short piece of a "sandwich" of 1/2" - 3/4" wide thin 
>copper strip/flashing with thick plastic tape on either side so it can 
>(hopefully) be formed so that the window can be closed with it in place. I 
>realize that there would probably be some coupling to the window/frame as it 
>is aluminum. The 22' length mentioned is chosen as I am of the impression 
>that it is a good compromise length that is easy to load on 20-40M. This 
>would be balanced with a 22' counterpoise along the baseboard inside and fed 
>via an SCG (237?) autotuner placed where the antenna comes in through the 
>window. (Hope I'm making sense here with all this....) Another possibility I 
>have considered would be something similar to the B&W/MFJ apartment antenna 
>but with the matching network relocated to inside the building (again 
>possibly using the SGC autotuner along with the requisite counterpoise).
>
>What is the possibility of this actually working (obviously on a rather 
>limited basis)? Any comments or suggestions? BTW this _is_ Ten-Tec related as 
>dad would be using this with his Delta (probably at quasi-QRP levels of 20W 
>or less due to the possibility of TVI etc.)
>
>  
>