Opinions on An Apartment Antenna Needed (HF/VHF/UHF)

[N2NH]

I was just going to get a 2M/70cm antenna, but for a few bux more, I thought, why not see if I can get HF/6M too? I am in an apartment about 2/3rd the way up a building facing west in a courtyard. The building next to me is taller than my apartment, so maybe a mobile antenna would work.

I've tried an indoor (slinky) antenna, but I have an upstairs neighbor who is constantly moving his furniture, and that is changing the SWR. Anything big will probably catch the eye of my landlord (and others). The landlord (and maybe a neighbor) has been known to have a camera pointed at my side of the building. (He also has them in all the hallways and elevators here too.)

Presently I'm looking at a Texas Bugcatcher or a Outbacker, but am open to suggestions.

[M0GLO]

Why not give a twin lead jpole for the 2m/440 bands a try? Could hang that out the window and if you paint it the same color as the building no one will even notice it.

in '76 and '77 I was in a dormroom. On the third floor I installed a dipole for 80M that got me some CW contacts. The feedpoint was halfway between the ceiling and the floor in a corner. One half went to the ceiling and around the room, and the other went to the floor and around the room the same direction. I did not work DX from the center of the 48 states, but I did work out a few states away with that.

IT took some tuning to get the SWR down somewhat, but it was fun. I was able to enlighten one other with that station and I was able to administer him his novice exam. He is now an extra class MD. KA0BNR.

[N2RJ]

I've had my share of apartment antennas, and in the end for HF I went with the Super Antennas MP-1. It's a great antenna, and here's a secret - if you get the long MFJ telescoping whip, it works really really well.

Make sure you put plenty of radials though. If you can't, get the MFJ artificial ground.

Also, with this setup, an antenna analyzer is a must!

I've also dropped a wire vertically alongside the wall with a weight tied at the end. That didn't work so well. The doorman came outside and caught me. :(

[kc9kow]

someone here in 9 land that I know about, is in the same conditions you are. He states to have installed a twin lead to a couple of screws installed into a metal window frame, which acts as his antenna. He said it has some limitations, and the swr can be tough to work with, but he does it.

Be as creative as you can. I know the ARRL has a book about covert ham antennas.

[N3ATS]

Twin lead J-pole for VHF/UHF. I made one out of 300 ohm and it works. SWR is flat too.

For HF? A Par end-fed out the window.

[n6hcm]

The landlord (and maybe a neighbor) has been known to have a camera pointed at my side of the building. (He also has them in all the hallways and elevators here too.)

jeez ... get a new landlord. way creepy, if you ask me ...

[N2NH]

The landlord (and maybe a neighbor) has been known to have a camera pointed at my side of the building. (He also has them in all the hallways and elevators here too.)

jeez ... get a new landlord. way creepy, if you ask me ...

Wish I could, but the rent is right. Right now, they're getting 4X what I'm paying for the same crappy crackerbox apartment. Heck I could live in a medium sized midtown studio for less than what they're charging here. They also have cameras all over the lobby and I suspect there's a couple in front of the building. The whole city is pretty much like that now. There aren't many places where you can have any privacy in public anymore. Heck, even the HS kids have stopped mating in the front of the subway station.

[N2NH]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm looking at making the J-Pole for 2/70 and maybe a dipole or lazy H for HF. The window antenna wont work since the put in new crappy ones that can't be drilled into. The guy below me tried that a few years ago and his windows fell out.
:D

[kb2vxa]

With all that "security" you'd think you were living in Fort Hamilton. (;->) I wish you luck John, you might also consider a carpet loop. BTW, if not for the crappy landlord you've got a great spot for a 2M/1.25M/70cM vertical (you're in linked repeater Heaven thanks to the NYFD) and a sloping V across the courtyard to the corners of the roof opposite. Oh, you probably can nail that linked system with an HT and you're on 6M, 2M, 1.25M, 70cM and all are wide area coverage. For SSB and CW there's always the old reliable Par delta loop hung from the ceiling and stuck behind something when not in use. Don't worry, be happy, RF is good for you!

Thanks for the help guys. I'm looking at making the J-Pole for 2/70 and maybe a dipole or lazy H for HF. The window antenna wont work since the put in new crappy ones that can't be drilled into. The guy below me tried that a few years ago and his windows fell out.
:D

You heard about the young newlywed couple who couldn't tell the difference between window putty and Vaseline?

Yup. Their windows fell out.

[K1OU]

My suggestion? Chase women, drink a lot, and stay out all night.

[kf0rt]

So... first day back at work today for the new year, and I was catching up with the "hotties." Ya know... hot chicks half my age that know I'm harmless. I can call them "hot chicks" because I know they wouldn't mind -- so, not like it's sexist or anything.

One says "My resolution this year is to eat my weight in mayonnaise and drink more."

Yup. I'll be taking that line to my grave. Kinda reminded me of IOMH.

[WV6Z]

Hey NH, how about an update..... are you radio active yet? :-?

[N2RJ]

Yeah John, how did the apartment hamming set up go?

[N2NH]

Not yet. Got the flu last month and it took all the fight out of me. Will be getting a fire lit under my bum and heading out to radio shack to buy twin lead for the jPole tommorrow.
:D

[M0GLO]

Saw something in QST about using copper tape to make one (a j-pole) on your window.
They claim the width increased the bandwidth.

[N2NH]

Well, like clockwork, a mini-disaster has struck. Will be getting an abcessed molar taken out today. Hopefully. I'm wondering if the Mumps look will get me a seat on the subway?
:P

[N2RJ]

Saw something in QST about using copper tape to make one (a j-pole) on your window.
They claim the width increased the bandwidth.

That might work...

SteppIR's are basically spools of copper beryllium tape, reeled out to a particular length.

Well, like clockwork, a mini-disaster has struck. Will be getting an abcessed molar taken out today. Hopefully. I'm wondering if the Mumps look will get me a seat on the subway?
:P

How did that one go? Are you in mega pain?

[N2NH]

Well, like clockwork, a mini-disaster has struck. Will be getting an abcessed molar taken out today. Hopefully. I'm wondering if the Mumps look will get me a seat on the subway?
:P

How did that one go? Are you in mega pain?

Not all that bad until I got there. I looked like Popeye from the right side though. Then they poked around and got it riled up. Now those vicodins are getting a workout.

Oddly enough, I got more 20-somethings flirting with me yesterday than normal. They must like the Popeye look. Maybe I should get a pipe too?

Yes the XYL was with me. She was just as mystified as I was.
:D

Well, like clockwork, a mini-disaster has struck. Will be getting an abcessed molar taken out today. Hopefully. I'm wondering if the Mumps look will get me a seat on the subway?
:P

How did that one go? Are you in mega pain?

Not all that bad until I got there. I looked like Popeye from the right side though. Then they poked around and got it riled up. Now those vicodins are getting a workout.

Oddly enough, I got more 20-somethings flirting with me yesterday than normal. They must like the Popeye look. Maybe I should get a pipe too?

Yes the XYL was with me. She was just as mystified as I was.
:D

If I told you once, I have told you a million times. Floss that spinach out of your teeth before heading to the dentist. You will look much less like Popeye then.

We have a pro-Catholic Chicken chain here called Popeyes. I guess it is pro-Catholic since it spells Pope-yes. Maybe it is just pro-Steve.