[Qcwa] "Hidden" HF antenna

Sat, 16 Feb 2002 11:24:40 -0400

Go mobile!

73, W2WW

> From: "Keith Kotch" <[email protected]>
> Reply-To: [email protected]
> Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2002 11:08:04 -0500
> To: "QCWA" <[email protected]>
> Subject: [Qcwa] "Hidden" HF antenna
> 
> Last month I passed my General and want to get on HF.  I'm in the usual
> predicament these days, living in an antenna restricted community so I need
> to have a very low profile or hidden antenna.  I do have a roller inductor
> antenna tuner so I'm thinking of a couple of options.
> 
> Option 1 is an attic mounted dipole but in order to get on 75 meters I will
> probably have to zig-zag or bend the wire along the trusses to fit it all
> in.  Total attic length is approx 69'.  I thought of taking the "leftover"
> ends and putting them through the gable ends of the attic and bend them
> toward the ground.  My problems/questions here are two-fold.  First the main
> AC duct runs down the middle of the attic.  It's the fiberglass box type
> duct, not the metal cylinder. It does have the aluminum foil type wrap on
> the outside.  I don't know what affect it'll have on the wire antenna except
> maybe act as a reflector?  The second problem is how to fasten the wire to
> the trusses.  I feel I need some type of standoff insulator and the only
> ones I know of are the types used to stand off tv twin-lead.  Also, if I
> were to go through the gable ends, what type of insulating grommet should I
> use.  Max power expected would be 100 watts.
> 
> Option 2 is a loop wire run just under the eves of the house.  Same issue
> about insulators and how to fasten the wire up.  Another consideration in my
> mind is height above ground and the fact there's an aluminum gutter running
> across the front of the house.
> 
> There are no trees available that I could hide a vertical or long wire in.
> 
> I would like to work 10-80 meters at this time.
> 
> Any suggestions?
> 
> Keith, KF4BXT
> 
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