ferrymanr wrote:

Remember that this has to be a 'stealth' antenna as I live dead center
in the town with a lady councillor opposite, the town council office 75
yards away and town hall about 150 yards away. This rules out low loss
copper pipe etc. Most of the small 'magnetic loop' antennas are
intended for vertical use which would also stand out like a sore thumb
here.

It's surprising what can be done, with a bit of determination that you
*are* going to get on the air.

I know a ham who lives in a Listed building, which means he can hardly
even paint a door without consulting the local Council's Conservation
Officer. To make life interesting, he lives right next to the Council
offices, and there's a perfect view into his backyard from the
Conservation Officer's desk! Now that's what I'd call really living with
restrictions... yet he has still found ways to get out well on 80m.

(His antenna would be very unlikely to suit your situation, so there's
no point in describing it in detail.)

Always remember that you have rights too. With certain exceptions, most
UK householders have the right to put up a garden shed without asking
anybody's permission at all. A surprisingly large shed, too - with a
pitched roof, the ridge could be up to 4 metres high.

Check how that would apply to you. And then, if anyone objects to you
using a 4m high vertical loop, ask them if they'd seriously prefer that
you build a whole big shed around it?


The advantage of the wire loop is that many buildings here have wire
around the roof to deter seagulls, that means my wire would not be
conspicuous.

That would certainly be another option to explore; but whatever you do,
be sure to make the best use of all your rights.



--
73 from Ian GM3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek