[TowerTalk] Apartment Antenna Ideas Needed

[Robie Elms]

Dave,

I suggest a 1/2 wave vertical for 10.  One for 20 May be too long, but you could easily do 12, 15 or possibly 17.  You could use a telescoping fiberglass pole and # 14 wire inside.  For matching an L network with the antenna connected to the shunt side. As a counter poise use a 3'X3' piece of hardware cloth (1/4" mesh). 

I use a similar arrangement except ground mounted for 20 through 10.  It works very well for me here on the Texas Gulf coast with 100 w.  See KH6MB's QRZ page.  Marty described his set up and the info may still be there!  

Issues with this approach - high voltages will be present, you have to figure out how to keep people & pets away!!  RF exposure could be an issue especially if you run 600 w!  Supporting the pole- those poles are light which makes it easier.  This method is single band and requires manual adjustment.

I hope this gives you some ideas!  Let us know what you decide to use.

Robie - AJ4F

> On Oct 12, 2014, at 7:12 PM, Dave Tipton, W5DMT <dave at w5dmt.com> wrote:
> 
> So, Yesterday, I finally got around to installing a dual bander in my 1
> month old truck, and was testing it out on some of the local repeaters.  I'm
> TDY in Sacramento, CA for about a year or so, working on a second project
> for one of my consulting clients.  Anyway, one of the things I mentioned in
> my QSO was that I needed to get off my butt and go find a house or apartment
> to rent, and that I kinda wanted to keep it cheap, given that I already have
> a mortgage in TN and my family would not be joining me out here.  Just my
> wife about 1 week a month and I would be going home for about 10 days a
> month.
> 
> 
> 
> A ham broke in, said he had some inexpensive apartments in Sac, and that if
> I was interested, to please give him a call.  We talked, I went over, he
> gave me the nickel tour, and at the end of the tour, he mentions "You know I
> have no problem with it if you wanted to put up a couple antennas."  *SHUT
> UP AND TAKE MY MONEY*
> 
> 
> 
> So, I am in a bit of a quandary.  The unit is a second story unit, with a
> large patio/landing literally out my front door.  I was thinking something
> along the lines of a Vertical Dipole ala Force 12's Sigma 40-XK.  Evidently,
> they aren't making this antenna at the moment.  So, this left me wondering
> what else was out there.
> 
> 
> 
> The parameters.  I'm elevated 10-20 feet, depending on whether I put it up
> on a mast.  (I can strap a 20 foot mast to the 4x4's supporting the deck
> that are firmly anchored into concrete, the deck it's connected to is
> connected to the building, etc.)   The building is Stucco.  Hence, I'd like
> to get it away or at minimum, above the edge of the roof.   There is no
> grass to speak of, so it's not an option to put down radials.  A real tower
> would be pushing my luck.
> 
> 
> 
> I plan to run about 600 Watts out of a solid state amplifier into a tuner
> and then the antenna.  My favorite bands are 40, 20 and 10 now that it's
> open.  I am normally very active on OMISS and 3905 Century Club Nets.  
> 
> 
> 
> Antennas to consider: 
> 
> 
> 
> Cushcraft R9 - (80-10) - 33 Feet - No Radials
> 
> MFJ-1799 (80-2M) - 20 Feet - No radials
> 
> Gap Titan DX (80-10) - 26  Feet - No radials.
> 
> 
> 
> I will say, that my last experience with the titan was not a positive one,
> but I'm willing to give it a second try.
> 
> 
> 
> I'm open to any all suggestions, short of anything that involves more than a
> screwdriver.  (I don't have access to things like Pipe Cutters, welding
> equipment or anything beyond the most basic soldering equipment.)
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks for indulging, and look forward to the responses.
> 
> 
> 
> Dave, W5DMT
> 
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