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W3CQH · May 23rd 08, 05:42 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna

"Highland Ham" wrote in message
...
wrote:
Just some thoughts...

That #26 wire is going to be a problem no matter what type antenna you
end up with. For the longer antennas, HF, etc, it's strength is going
to be sort of limiting. It is sort of difficult to see, but it's far
from being invisible. So, if you are in one of 'those' neighborhoods
that don't like 'visible' antennas there is another choice instead of
an invisible antenna. That's using something that is very visible,
but not normally associated with antennas. The first thing that comes
to mind is a flag pole. Certainly 'do-able', and certainly not going
to be 'simple' if it covers more than one 'chunk' of HF. The 'simple'
way of 'curing' that sort of thingy is to throw money at it, to some
ridiculous point. (Wonder how 'they'ed feel about a 'commemorative'
Atlas missile monument in your yard?)

I think you might do some thinking about what's the longest, sort of
straight, 'run' you can manage using the roof ridge and tree. A few
'bends' in that 'straight' run are allowable, sort of. And then
consider various ways of 'loading' that run. One option might be a
'short' but 'long' inverted 'L', a "lazy-L"? Not exactly the best,
has it's own set of 'problems', but if it works, who cares...much.
Having 'been there, done that' at at one time or another, I really
wish you luck.
- 'Doc
===================================
A not 'too' visible antenna ,which might not be recognised as an antenna
is a loop around the house (provided you live in a detached house).
At gutter level at the corners you could fit say 1 foot long 1 inch
plastic pipe pointing sidewards or under a suitable angle.
Each pipe end has a saw cut to accept the antenna wire which can be sealed
with epoxy glue or a piece of tape.
Use a twin wire feeder and a suitable matching unit (tuner ,if you prefer
that word). The loop should work well for all wave lengths equal or
smaller the the loop circumference .

While on a 2 months' visit to the LA area (Torrance) I managed to put up
such a loop ,extended to the end of the garden making it a full wave
length for 75 metres. In spite of being only 10 ft off the ground
(probably making it a NVIS antenna) I comfortably worked the Sacramento
area.
Such a loop is definetely worth a try.

Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH

Hi Frank,

No - I have metal siding on the sides of the house and I tried to load up
the siding and the rain gutters, but alas - they are grounded!

I am stuck with something in the air.

73's