[Cliffdwellers] Re: Cliffdwellers Digest, Vol 12, Issue 1

[richard.arland at verizon.net]

>what are ya'll using for HF antennas? Attic loops, 
>dipoles, etc....

>Don, W4YCH

Hi Don:

Welcome to this list. As a matter of fact, your mssg is the first one I have seen in a long time!

Regarding HF antennas, and not meaning to sound glib: you use what ever works and what ever you can get away with while keeping the neighbors and Condo BoD in the dark.

For starters try to get your hands on copies of "Stealth Amateur Radio" by Kirk Klienschmidt, and "Low Profile Ham Radio" by Jim Kearman, KR1S. Both are ARRL pubs and I know that the Kearman book is long out of print and maybe the Klineschmidt book is, also. I looked on the ARRL website and they don't show Klineschmidt's book, but I may not have been in the correct area on their site. 

Both of these books have excellent ideas on getting on the air using a stealth approach. There are two RSGB books in a set, very similar to the ARRl"s "Antenna Anthology" series that have some really neat clandestine antenna ideas. These two books (don't remember their titles) are available direct from the RSGB in London, or via the ARRL. Well worth the money, especially when you need ideas and reference material for stealth antennas. 

Hope this all helps. Thankfully I don't have a problem with antennas currently. However, having lived in USAF Base Housing in the states and overseas, I have had my share of clandestine antennas and am very happy to report that when properly planned and installed they work very well. They won't outperform (or even closely perform) at the same level as a tri-bander on a 45 ft tower, but you can get on the air in fine style and bust the occasional pile-up from time to time.  

One other point: RFI/EMI are exremely hard to control in a condo or apartment setting. I am a long-time proponent of QRP. However, 5 watt ham radio is NOT for everyone. That being said, don't be affraid of backing your RF output down to 15-25 watts. You will still make many Qs, have a lot of fun, and you won't be QRP! Some folks have a stigma regarding QRP and QRPers. By using about 25% or less of your rig's full output power, you will not suffer the QRP stigma and you will get out just fine. There is only 6dB difference (that will equate to only ONE S-Unit at the receiving end) so you aren't really going to suffer too much. 

vy 73

Rich K7SZ