On Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:20:58 -0600, "Irv Finkleman"
wrote:

The wire will be enough to hold one small bird -- if necessary

Attach a spring to the end of the wire. That will take up the slack
and help absorb the impact of the bird when landing on the wire. If
you don't mind reinstalling the wire occasionally, attach a thin
sewing thread on the end of the wire. When the bird lands, the thread
will break, not the wire.

I checked carefully before I drilled and missed the glass
entirely which is unusual because Murphy lives with me! I've
never seen him, but his influence is always around!

You were lucky. Try not to rely on luck.

I've tested the MFJ-1623 and it will work 80 thru
10M with the wire -- the wire is basically the same as
the 12 foot whip only longer but thinner.

Yep. I would expect it to work with the 12ft antenna it was designed
for. However, you were suggesting a 50ft long antenna (with a tree in
the middle), which might not work.

If it doesn't,
I have another MFJ-949E

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-949E
That's much better.

My carpeting is wall to wall, so the chicken wire
ground would have to be on top of the carpet.

I've snuck flat CAT5 cable under wall to wall carpet for wiring a LAN
(for internet connectivity). A steel wire snake, a carpet kicker, and
an assistant, was all that was needed. Could could do the same with
thin copper wire and never see a lump.

I'm
sure though, that if anyone asked, I would simply
explain 'I'm a Ham' and they would shake their
heads understandingly and not ask any more
foolish questions!

Hint: It's much easier to ruin your reputation than it is to improve
it. Methinks it best to look and act normal for a few weeks, and then
surprise the neighbors, than to do the reverse.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558