[GCARC] Antenna Choice for Townhouse - please help

[Marc Bennett]

Hello Everyone,
     My Name is Wade Bennett and I am a newer member of the GCARC and new
tech licence holder.  I am trying to develop my Ham Shack and hoping for to
make the least mistakes starting off.

My first question is Antenna choice?  I live in Mullica Hill in a Townhouse
end unit, two story with finished basement. I have been deliberating
between a couple antenna styles and not sure if one will give me a better
advantage over the other.  I know as a tech I only have 10meters for phone
but will test for General next month. The CHoices so far are* ALPHA DELTA
DX-EE* ( in the Attic crawlspace) advised by a club member, *MFJ-1786
loop *(outside
hidden behind tall bushes next to building), or *TransWorld Adventurer
TW2010* a capacity-hat-andinductance-loaded vertical dipole (in the same
place as the MFJ)

I currently have a ICOM-7100 I will be using for the antenna until I can
save for an ELECRAFT K3.  So if I place an antenna in the attic I will use
a second floor bedroom for the Shack, if I place the antenna behind the
bushes I will use a corner of the basement for the Shack,these two location
are to keep the lead line length down.

1) any input about the antenna choices?
2) Will the placement of the antenna in the attic or close to the
house/bushes cause me to have to buy a tuner? (I was thinking MFJ962D also
advised by a club member)
3) lead line choice?  coax or ladder
4) can a better magnetic loop be self built?


Any advice will help before I make a decision!