[HCARC] Attic Antennas

[SARA SANDSTROM]

Harvey, 

Seems like in the old days there were a few people who used metal gutters for their antenna.  The two problems I see with flashing is making sure all the pieces of flashing you want to use are electrically connected and there is not too much lossy material near it.  The same problem exists with hiding the wires under the shingles.  I had similar issues with my antennas on my flat roof in Albuquerque.  These were deparate times for desparate people however and a lousy antenna is significantly better than no antenna! 

If you recall I 've said that as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to antennas the more metal the higher you can get it, the better off you are.  Most of the extra things on pricey commercial antennas aren't to increase the gain but to improve the match to the transmission line.  A good antenna tuner / transmatch is a cheaper alternative. 

By the way, I talked to WB4DBO again tonight.  He was running 4 Watts to his attic dipole on 40 m and despite the QRN and poor conditions, we had a good QSO on CW.  Attic antennas do work. 

Kerry