[TVARC] New Guy - Antenna Qusestion

[Andy McClary]

As a new general licensee, I am trying to ID a good antenna to work some HF bands, most likely 80, 40 and 20m.  I live in a courtyard villa, and my attic is IMPOSSIBLE to navigate for a dipole.  I may be able to get a shortened dipole with coils up there, but this will restrict bandwidth.

One alternative I have been looking into is using a screwdriver vertical antenna.  However, getting good radials out is a real problem, since it would require me to mount at ground level inside the rebar filled cement walls surrounding the area.  

I do have a fairly large, well grounded aluminum birdcage.  If I were to mount a vertical screwdriver to it, would it serve as a proper ground radial for the antenna?

Thanks in advance for tolerating what I think is likely a stupid question.

Andy McClary
KQ4WWD
j.a.andy.mcclary at gmail.com