You'd have better luck with HF than VHF or UHF making it through any solid
object. I have used a homebrew mag loop in a hotel room on several
ocassions with some luck..on 20 and 40.

Even in an emergency situation, I just don't think it would be a good idea
to string some kind of an antenna above the heads of shelterees and then
start soaking them with RF, especially depending on the HF frequency in
use. In fact, I suspect the FCC's RF-exposure regulations would frown on
one doing so!

--
--Myron A. Calhoun.
Five boxes preserve our freedoms: soap, ballot, witness, jury, and cartridge
PhD EE (retired). "Barbershop" tenor. CDL(PTXS). W0PBV. (785) 539-4448
NRA Life Member and Certified Instructor (Home Firearm Safety, Rifle, Pistol)