Ham radio antenna in attic I used a simple plastic conduit strap (two hole strap from the electrical aisle at the hardware store) to attach the top end to a rafter. Oct 3, 2019 · Choosing the right antenna is critical to get the best reception, that’s a given. Then there’s six meters, the Magic Band, where the antennas are small enough to fit in your backyard or even your attic. Even if it is mostly used by ham radio operators to solve problems while transmitting, the MFJ-931 should also work for a receive-only purpose. 1 Meter(13. For those with Mar 26, 2019 · If you have an attic available, check out the following 6-band coax trap-based antenna: http://degood. It has been around since the early days of radio and has won it's place also in many antenna farms. It worked well but do to the space this antenna needed I was only able to get two separate A viewer asks: What would be your best recommended HF attic antenna? Joe and I respond with some limited space and HOA friendly options. But I have always managed to get on the air using HF and enjoy the hobby. The RF losses are fairly low in wood and most roofing at HF & VHF, most of problem comes from interaction with electrical wiring and ductwork. Of all the Attic Antennas that I have used, this one is far and away the best. Headphones are always better than a speaker for serious listening. Aug 26, 2021 · I'm wanting to increase my TX and RX capability in simplex (radio to radio) communications when I'm not using a repeater and to help make my connection to my local repeater that much better. My first attic antenna was a MFJ 70cm/2m mobile antenna on a Tram ground plane adapter mounted to a length of PVC pipe that I bolted to the floor with a floor flange. The effective range of most antennas is lowered by 10-15 miles with an attic installation, so you may consider getting a more powerful antenna than you would typically need with an outdoor Jun 8, 2020 · Antennas are always fascinating, with lots and lots of options from homebrew to buy it off the shelf. If you attic isn’t tall enough, you could angle the antenna mounting to make it fit. If you want an antenna that will be able to perform best in a flat, open area then you will want to buy either a dipole or ground plane. Let’s not minimize the importance of a good antenna. In any event, an outside stealth antenna works better than an attic antenna--because the foil will attenuate any signal that you would try to transmit. It is also multiband and very easy to install. Technically you can run the wire out a roof vent to increase length but any interaction with metal will probably increase your SWR. I ran LMR-240 from it to my rig 2 stories below. Most photos above make antenna appear much wider than actual size. I am in a similar boat with "no holes or antenna farms on the roof. Antenna was matched with help an Automatic ATU in 40-, 30-, 20-, 17-, 15-, 12 and 10 meter amateur Bands. eHam. Do you have a question about antennas, equipment, or […] Jan 17, 2025 · Ham Radio Tech: Anderson Powerpoles®—Putting It All Together; Guide to April 2025 Ham Radio Contests: Severe Weather Prep Edition; Advice for Parents and Grandparents on Getting a Young Person Interested in Amateur Radio; REZ Antenna Systems Amateur Radio Gear Now Sold Exclusively Through DX Engineering One "drawback" or at least serious consideration about attic antennas is the need to keep power levels down due to RF exposure. From what my radio mentors have been telling me, your instincts are right. That being said, when propagation is good, you can even work DX with a stealth antenna. In 2023 I added a KPA 500 and KAT 500. Hamtactical. So, i guess I am looking at something that will run the gamut from 25-1300 MHz. The location of where you want to mount or install the Antenna will also help you determine what ham radio antenna to buy. net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. Measure out the longest straight part of your attic and then find the one that fits. 64-66 Some tips on stealth and diplomacy that may help you enjoy ham radio from your condo. 72-78 (Product Review) Mar 29, 2013 · Lightning protection for amateur radio antennas. Good luck! Jun 17, 2012 · Distance, gain, and duty cycle are the three factors to consider when installing and safely operating an antenna system, be it outdoors or in your attic. Amazing how well these work. Sometimes us indoor antenna guys are forced to "thinking out of the box" a little bit, and it can lead to some interesting projects and days. You too can get your ham radio question answered, just send me an email to kb9vbr@jpole-antenna. It's not ideal but it will work somewhat. hamradiostore. Pictures ar worth 1000 words here, and you can search up "butterfly Ham anteeas" for some technical stuff. My question is tho, we put a steel roof on last summer will that interfere with a attic antenna or even a outside antenna? I know a steel car will interfere so that's were my thoughts I have used just about every kind of material for an antenna for shortwave listening that would conduct a radio frequency including window frames, bed springs, rain gutters, conduit, aluminum tubing, coffee cans soldered together, old CB antennas, TV antennas, curtain rods, copper tubing, aluminum trim from kitchen counter tops and on and on Attic wire antenna like a dipole, OCFD or EFHW, etc. uk. In my opinion, it's a work of art! All I did was make spacers out of 1/2" PVC tubing the wire is spaced 6" off center. Safety and RF exposure are important topics to consider. Even though the antenna will be in the attic, you still need to consider lightning protection. Otherwise I can't really tell that it's in the attic. I just helped a new ham, K4SKD, get started with an attic antenna - a speaker wire doublet. This antenna boasts impressive specifications, including a Gain of 146MHz 3. I have lived in many antenna challenged, HOA and condo rules that outlaw antennas. Falling through the roof is a much more likely scenario! Nov 13, 2023 · This is my first video in a while. Apr 20, 2005 · Lets say I got a Scantenna or a Diamond Discone antenna and put it in my attic (I have a standard Bi-Level with plywood roofing and regular fiberglass shingles or whatever they are made out of. To protect yourself, home, and your radio equipment you need to install some basic lightning protections into your antenna system. org/coaxtrap/ I constructed one of these 9 years ago and have had great results with it. Mar 18, 2024 · Here are some suggestions for antennas that could fit into your attic. So good news is that my performance on 40 meters is GREATLY improved. Ham Radio from Indoors offers advice to help you cure interference problems, as well as a detailed discussion of RF safety. Most lightning protection systems serve two purposes: to channel lightning’s electrical energy to a suitable ground, and to keep lightning energy from entering your Welcome to Reddit's own amateur (ham) radio club. See full list on onallbands. 5Ft) (M10) JYR8010-150W End Fed Half Wave Antenna, 150W Shortwave Radio Antenna, 8 Band 10m 12m 15m 17m 20m 30m 40m 80m Long Wire Antenna, 1:64 Balun No Tuning Since signals will be weakened by just about any roofing material, utilizing a higher gain antenna is typically the first step in overcoming signal loss. The antenna is a stub dipole with dimension 33- cm between wires and length of each side Jan 8, 2021 · Attic antenna installation comes as an option for most people mainly to circumvent HOA restrictions and for aesthetics. In this video, Michael Martens (KB9VBR) and Joe (KD9CJX) explore several attic antennas that can keep you on the air. Living under an HOA, I was worried about be 4 days ago · The Dual Band Base Vertical 146/446MHz is an exceptional choice for those in need of reliable communication. For those who seek security's embrace, Sep 12, 2014 · Not including my not-so spectacular rubber duck antennas, I have two antenna types I use for 2 meter operation: j-pole made from copper pipe, and slim jim made from 450 ohm ladder line. To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of what’s happening with ham radio on the Internet. Antennas generally perform best when they’re out in the clear, but there is no law that says you can’t use an outdoor antenna indoors. For example, you can install a wire dipole in almost any attic space. I for one have 5 antennas in my attic! Jun 27, 2020 · I was thinking of setting up a radio room on our second floor. For example, place in an L-shape or diagonally. There are a lot of strong opinions in this sub on antennas- hopefully one idea will be right for you! Tips for ham radio antennas in an attic Posted on March 18, 2024 by Jean-Paul PA9X If you are a radio amateur or wish to become one, and local regulations do not allow you to place antennas outside your home, don’t panic, because there are several solutions. The Antenna worked satisfactory on the above mentioned bands. Attic antennas have a couple of benefits compared to mounting an antenna outdoors: primarily it allow you to be totally stealth, which is important if you live in a neighborhood that restricts outdoor antennas. Jun 24, 2012 · Attic AMSAT Antenna – Working the Ham Radio Satellites With A Rotatable Computer Controlled Yagi Attic Antenna; First Portable Solar Setup For Ham Radio – Bioenno Solar Charge Controller SC-4830JUD and TCXW 100 Watts 12 Volts Portable Solar Panel Kit; CrimperGate – When the Coax Crimper Jaws Won’t Crimp Close – A Mystery; QST: Blog Of Jun 6, 2023 · He worked from 3Mhz to 55 Mhz and no visible antenna. Top HF Ham Radio Antennas. Conclusion: It is theoretically possible to create a fire in the attic from your ham radio antenna - but the conditions required for that to work require purpose and luck making this not a realistic concern for the typical attic farmer. With an outdoor antenna, you only have one wall penetration to make. MFJ-1836H mounted in NE1RD’s attic. eHam's Product Reviews are intended to provide an opportunity to share an opinion, positive or negative, of a commercially available ham radio-related product or service. This antenna was tricking to mount in the attic as it was very rigid and required room. You can also drop the ends so you get a bit more total wire length up there. I pieced together wire, laid out on my driveway, from a number of other projects to get me 68ft. Apr 1, 2012 · You will need a peak in your attic that is tall enough for the antenna to fit. It was an antenna at our gas station, that no longer was being used. The Care and Feeding of a Condo Antenna Farm QST April 2001, pp. There used to be a product called “ventenna” that wrapped an antenna around an attic vent - try googling vent antennas. This also limits the help of ELMERS who can help new hams to understand how […] Jun 15, 2015 · Ham Radio Q & A is a new type of amateur radio themed online show were I’ll answer your ham radio questions. Your incoming and outgoing signals depend on it. Attics are great locations for indoor antennas. The reports on my 66′ Dipole were from 10-18 DB SNR on the RBN – all with 5 watts out of the KX3. Jun 24, 2020 · In the attic, you ask? Yes, in the attic! Many Hams, including many of you reading this, are limited by HOA or other outdoor antenna restrictions. But following the formulas and duty cycle limits you can safely use the antenna in your attic. com or leave your question in the comments below. This antenna, like nearly all antennas, works best when in the clear. Like you mentioned, there is simply a coax running directly from the antenna to my radio. Jul 15, 2023 · Many Amateur radio ops now find themselves in a neighbourhood, downsizing to a condo or moving to an assisted living complex that is ham radio antenna unfriendly. Attic Antennas II Another area where attic antennas can shine is VHF/UHF. I'm going to be installing antennas in my attic (the feed lines will exit the attic, run down the side of the house, and re-enter in the shack, for a total length of ~30ft). Attic AMSAT Antenna - Working the Ham Radio Satellites With A Rotatable, Computer Controlled, Yagi Attic Antenna (I am finally getting around to writing this webpage on my attic satellite antenna system. Monitor police, fire, ham radio, rescue, ships and more! Mar 25, 2023 · Surf Ham Radio Waves with KL2A; Blog: Ham Radio Adventure Stories; My XYL Love the Greyline Flagpole Antenna; For YLs: Ham Radio Love Connection Samantha forms a Womens Ham Radio Friendship Club; For your further enjoyment, a Poem: The flagpole antenna may be grand, But sometimes stealth is in demand. Main goal is to review and promote ham-radio web sites, classifying them in categories. I dismantled one to make a 2m yagi. Your Ham Radio Store https://www. I built my own attic antenna (a Broadband Butterfly Terminated Dipole - BBTD), have it mounted in the attic above my two-story townhouse, and have worked all 50 states and 51 confirmed DXCC entities so far over the past two years with a mix of Dec 29, 2018 · Tuning the antenna indoors mounted in my attic was another story. However, I will only be installing the antenna in the Attic. Right off the bat, I know the subject is not a favorable situation. If the top of the antenna touches the walls or roof, the performance may be affected slightly. So far I am tuning around the bands and it is Oct 5, 2018 · I am upgrading from an HT to a Kenwood TM-V71A. There are other reasons why an outdoor antenna is better than an attic antenna though. So, based on my research, I need one of the following antennas. 20 metre delta loop HF antenna; Vertical HF whip antenna for 20 or 40 metres; 10/20 metre Yagi in the attic; 40 metre loaded dipole; Multi-band Inverted L antenna; Make a rotating VHF/UHF HAM SAT antenna array; 80 metre end-fed antenna; 40m Hamstick Dipole vs 1/4 wave vertical antenna; Spectrum Communication trapped dipole 20 & 40 metres Patron Pick August! What antennas should you look at setting up in compromised spaces? We'll talk about it tonight!http://www. Dec 13, 2018 · Well, here is where it is good to have an indoor or attic antenna as a backup. What’s not to like about a six-meter dipole? Aug 31, 2016 · I'm studying for my Ham exam (hoping to get a Basic level some time this year). Yay! But this means I need to install some antennas and run feed lines into my shack. Jun 25, 2016 · IMHO, an outdoor antenna is a better option than an attic antenna. Location, location, location. Besides, it is no fun crawling around in a hot attic with all the nasty insulation in the summer. We moved from Maryland to Florida and moved from a nice piece of land with no HOA where I had a 50 ft tower to an HOA restricted community. If I just stuck the antenna in the attic and ran the Coax about 20 feet to the scanner, would I need So I'm no longer using this attic antenna for 80m but it's working great for 40m and above. That is, they work best when there is nothing in their near-field (say within 1/2 a wavelength). Low sunspots and poor propagation, Covid-19 virus limiting ham club meetings and normal fraternizing of local hams, HOA’s and other limits on outside antennas are real and must be dealt with. Of course, performance won’t be as good as with an outdoor antenna up high, but it may be good enough. Mar 15, 2023 · Here, Peter G3OJV shows how it is very easy to install a multi-band HF antenna, even in quite a small loft or attic. ), the length of coaxial cable necessary to reach the location from your transceiver (consider transmission line loss), and the May 29, 2014 · Then I switched antennas back to my 9:1 UNUN 30′ wire in the attic and did the same thing – so reports. Here’s the rundown. While I no longer have this setup, I have received a lot of requests for details on this system from other hams wanting So having an antenna in the attic, tuning it with the G90 somewhere else in the house, is not ideal, especially since the G90 maxes out at 20W. May 30, 2013 · This is my attic 40/20/10 meter fan dipole that I installed in my attic today. There is also a greater tendency for RFI problems with the other electronic devices in the house due to the close proximity of the antenna. Which is good really because you can build a custom antenna yourself out of readily available hardware-store items. Both the Diamond X50a and the N9TAX Slim Jim are very good 2m antennas that work well in the attic, and are not too pricey. Compact and Portable Antenna Roundup QST March 1998, pp. Established in 1996 as a radio-related-mailinglist, has registered its domain name in 1998. I'm interested in setting up that vertical antenna in the attic above where my radio will be in ground-floor office. The most annoying thing about attic space, to me, is trying to figure out how to get the feedline to where the radio is. Nov 13, 2024 · As I posted in my previous thread, I recently got my mobile radio: Anytone D578UVIIIPlus. In this video I am going to cover how I used the Attic for some antennas, how I hid a wire antenna and some details about by new Flagpole Vertical HF Antenna. My first antenna was a full length 40 meter dipole in my parent's attic. For most bands, you will need a tuner. This is perhaps the easiest antenna to place in an attic. But even if you can’t put up an outdoor antenna, you can still operate with antennas installed in an accessible attic space. Also Dec 24, 2015 · One of the troubles with any antenna system is connecting the antenna to the radio (or vice versa depending on your stance). Many thanks to Sam, NW9T for sharing his fun and expertise with us. Starting with a 100' roll, unzipping 33', leaving 67' parallel feedline. I experimented with many HF wire antennas before settling for an off-center-fed dipole for 80 meters and an LDG-100 ProII tuner, serving as a multi-band, 80-10M, HF antenna system. As a new ham you’re going to have to deal with lots of trade offs as you decide on an HF antenna. If you are wondering what Amateur Radio is about, it's basically a two way radio service where licensed operators throughout the world experiment and communicate with each other on frequencies reserved for license holders. With such low power, you'll definitely want to get your antenna systems as efficient as possible and try to not have to use the tuner at all. Like what you see? Y Fortify your existing antenna or build your own with high-quality brackets, clamps, tubing and supports from DX Engineering. co. "Antennas are 95% of the battle", they say. com For all the H Jan 29, 2013 · I scan primarily VHF low, VHF high and UHFnothing in the 800 MHz range. Hidden Antenna Ideas Loops, Operation Away From Home, Attic-- From N0HC Stealth Antenna Experiences - From Clif's ham radio connection. I live on the second floor, and currently have a Comet GP-1 dual band antenna (2m & 440) in my office, attached to a tripod. Mar 13, 2016 · For ham, I have a Diamond X50A in my attic. 6:1 but my TS590-SG internal tuner handles it easily. . 6M is highest at 2. The Indoor Challenge. 0dBi and 446MHz 6. I don't particularly enjoy building antennas. Hang the wire from the rafters. You get the antenna away from the electrical noise in the house. It was originally used to monitor fuel levels to hq. Oct 12, 2020 · There are many challenges for today’s amateur radio operators. First, each antenna has a range and that range is usually based on the antenna being outdoors. The MFJ-931 could potentially be used a tuned counterpoise for your attic shortwave antenna. 55' and swr at 1. I would prefer to mount it Nov 28, 2014 · The DXZone merges amateur radio and Internet, since early internet days. 6:1 or better with several bands 1:1. Sounds easy enough, right? But if you plan on wanting your antenna in your attic, there’s a few things you should know. I ran it along the peak of the roof, and I ran the ends of it down along the edges of the roof at 90 degree angles from the main axis of the antenna. My current house and my last house both had usable attic space but no simple and wife-acceptable solution for dropping the feedline down to the main floor. Sep 11, 2020 · Ham Radio Tech: Anderson Powerpoles®—Putting It All Together; Guide to April 2025 Ham Radio Contests: Severe Weather Prep Edition; Advice for Parents and Grandparents on Getting a Young Person Interested in Amateur Radio; REZ Antenna Systems Amateur Radio Gear Now Sold Exclusively Through DX Engineering Ham Radio Videos! HF & Shortwave so I also tried attic mounting using screw eyes and hung down about 24" from the rafters using mono filament fishing line Oct 27, 2021 · The TV antennas won't be a problem if your wire is kept from touching or getting too close. I also live in a HOA Condo complex with same rules, I mounted my X50 in my attic and get out great to repeaters and simplex, also have 10 element Diamond yagi on my roof I just tell everyone it a TV antenna on a rotor I work out to about 150 miles north and south from my . If your attic is unfinished, be careful walking on the joists move slowly, watch your step. Aug 1, 2021 · Good camouflage, I have the x50 also yours looks good but using it simplex may be a problem on the ground like that. TLDR: The G90 is awesome. For decades, I enjoyed a very comfortable ham radio setup for HF. Other antenna factors that you may want to consider include the height at which you mount your antenna (generally, higher is better), the mounting method you plan to use (mast, tree, attic clamp, strap to chimney, etc. Attic antennas can work better than you might think, some of mine work as well as their outside counterparts (no I’m not comparing to a 150ft tower & big yagis). 0 mm (12- AWG). Peter G3OJVHAm Radio Storehttps Let’s cover the top 5 HF Radio Antennas for new hams, coming up. Correspondence: The Venetian Blind Antenna, QST June 2001, p. Attic antennas are totally doable. However, when doing this you can expect up to about 40% attenuation of the signals but with a proper installation, you can reduce this to up to 10%. Space permitting, the attic is an excellent location for an antenna. Sep 11, 2012 · RFAdapter RG8x Coaxial Cable, CB Coax Cable, 50ft UHF PL259 Male to Male Low Loss CB Antenna Cables, 50 Ohm for HAM Radio, Antenna Analyzer $35. 4 days ago · Coaxial-Cable Trap Dipole An Attic Coaxial-Cable trap dipole for 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 80 meters The 40 meter Stealth Vertical Vertical antenna for 40 meters band Jun 8, 2022 · If you have an antenna tuner with a balun, as much wire as you can put up, cut in the middle and fed with 450ohm ladder line works well. Many types of feed line are available, some with distinct advantages but they always come at a cost! Having purchased what is usually a very expensive form of coax: Heliax, I wanted to finally make use of the cable. Also, do the reflective nature of large conductive metal sheets, it may reflect interference sources found inside the home increasing the HF noise level. com For all the H Welcome to Reddit's own amateur (ham) radio club. 99 Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 2 Aug 18, 2014 · A KB9VBR J-Pole installed in the N0JY Attic Antenna Farm . Jan 12, 2025 · Attic Antennas for Ham Radio: My ExperienceFor various reasons, my first ham radio antennas ended up in my attic. Shop here for HAM radio antennas, antenna systems, and antenna components from the best: DX Engineering, Cushcraft, Hy-Gain, Hustler, COMTEK SYSTEMS, Diamond Antenna, and more! Show Less Patron Pick August! What antennas should you look at setting up in compromised spaces? We'll talk about it tonight!http://www. The thought crossed my mind I could put the antenna up in the attic access in the ceiling. Then I combined my 40,20, & 10 meter antenna with a w2au balun that was part of my 10 meter antenna. J poles can be quite stealthy too on 2m and 440. I’ve tried a few along the way. I thought if I could install a 40m doublet in my attic I might be able to load it more efficiently (due to less loss into a balanced line) for 80m. Indoor/Attic/Stealth antennas are a lot of fun and I think they do add something else to your enjoyment of ham radio. Nov 11, 2024 · Indoor Attic Antennas -- Always Surprise Me! When I returned to ham radio in 2020 I knew I had to have an attic antenna. Attic antennas are at best a compromise if the antenna cannot be mounted outside. Mar 16, 2019 · Another antenna configuration I tried in my attic was two mono band whip antennas set up as a dipole. The other is a home brew multi-band completely portable antenna that won the war against the HOA Nazis. It is also a doublet with parallel line, 66' long, all made from speaker wire. Six Meter Dipole. If you have some sort of attic in your home, apartment or condo, you’re in luck. Such wire antennas need a good counterpoise. At my current residence I am not allowed to mount an antenna on the roof. Jul 9, 2012 · Here are two different ham's antennas, the one in the attic is a commercial impress your friends in the "Super Bowl" CB mobile used on 10M. Particularly, I want good performance in the VHF low range because that is what my county police and fire are on. The DXZone is managed by ham radio operators with ham radio operators in mind. Oct 10, 2022 · The antenna was installed on the attic. Optimize Your Operating ; CW—Even If You Don’t “Do” CW ; The Digital Welcome to Reddit's own amateur (ham) radio club. 25 An indoor inverted U wire antenna. For making the antenna you need length in 50- meters insulated wire in diameter 2. Attic installation is best because it gets you as high as practical. Products to be reviewed typically should be tangible ham radio related items such as radios, antennas, towers, test equipment, feedlines, etc. The base station accessory bundle I also got, came with this vertical antenna: AnyTone Tri-band Mobile DMR Antenna. 10M Bent Attic Antenna - A Yagi No Less Hidden Attic Antenna -- From NU3E -- An Attic Coaxial-Cable Trap Dipole for 10, 15, 20, 40, and 80 Low Frequency Attic Loop antenna - from Bill Farmer W3CSW Attic Loop Nov 4, 2024 · This book includes indoor antenna solutions like simple wire designs for an attic, or a loop that fits neatly on a tripod. com Feb 13, 2022 · One solution to the HOA/CC&R antenna issue is the installation of an attic antenna. 0dBi, ensuring clear and uninterrupted communication. It's about 5' tall and just makes it. 99 $ 35 . MFJ recommends the antenna be mounted at least 20-feet off the ground. Attic antennas tend not to work as well as outdoor antennas, but that doesn't mean they don't work. Mine is a Broad Banded Terminated Dipole. The roof and walls will shield the antenna from lightning strikes. I have had attic antennas for years with OK success. Tuning at the antenna itself is the best way, for example with an automatic tuner. An attic antenna will receive lots of noise from stuff in the house, it can create lots of interference to stuff in the house (anything with a touchscreen might go bonkers, AFCI and GFCI breakers might trip, amplified speakers might make terrible noises Oct 9, 2014 · GOOZEEZOO Radio Antennas JPC-12 HF Antennas for Ham Radio with Slide Regulator 7MHz-50MHz All Band Hf Vertical Antenna 40m-6m 8 Bands for Outdoor 4. noqkx fyj vwobvzf rqkmss ufuu ryvxvwu shsvnk wvmvhv jsehh zbpc ghnvqt mji zpsuw rsbxf gmbf