[Linux-ham] Linux-ham Digest, Vol 42, Issue 2

[Scott G. Hall]

You could offer to put up their Christmas decorations for them...  :)

When you hang the roof-line lights, use some of those under-shingle
hooks used for Christmas lights and stretch a wire (or two or more
for several bands) along the second or third shingle course.  And
you can hide a lead across the roof to the other side for a length
there.  Not permanently attached, but fastened well enough to weather
storms, and can be taken down when you move.

And if your building doesn't have shingles, they make Christmas light
string holders for brick surfaces, that you can stretch your antenna
along a mortar line to hide it.  Or across the tops of window surrounds.
All of these with fasteners that can be taken down when you move, all
pretty much invisible from two-stories up or higher.

"Neil L. Little" wrote:
> There are many types of antennas that are made just for the apartment 
> dweller.  For example wire antennas are pretty much invisible Here are 
> some other examples:
> 1. A J-Pole antenna made from twin lead. Hang it out the window wire and 
> cable are hard to see.
> 2. Make a beam antenna from wire which can then be draped over the roof 
> in the general direction of the repeater.
> 3. If you have access to the attic then all manner of antennas may be 
> stuffed up there.
> 
> 73,
> Neil, WA4AZL
> 
> Greg Brown wrote:
> > Ok, people, I've got a problem that's really bugging me.  I had to 
> > move to an apartment this year and the building seems purpose-built to 
> > block 2 meter radio signals.  I have a tri-band HT that is literally 
> > worthless inside and a Yaesu FT-1802 50 watt 2 meter radio and a 1/4 
> > mag mount antenna.  In the old house (in Youngsville) I could easily 
> > hit the 148.88 repeater even at 10 watts output.  Here, in downdown 
> > Durham, I can recieve transmissions on the FT-1802 but not push a 
> > signal to the repeater (the HT is useless inside, it can't even pick 
> > up a useable signal from the repeater).
> >
> > So, what can I do?  The building management already said no to a roof 
> > mounted antenna of any kind so that's out.  Can I try a different 
> > antenna inside the building?  The building in question is an old 
> > tobacco warehouse with foot-thick brick walls (exterior) and interior 
> > walls are built using metal studs with drywall over top.
> >
> > There's got to be *SOMETHING* I can do.
> >
> > Any ideas are welcome.
> >
> > Greg


-- 
Scott G. Hall
Raleigh, NC, USA
ScottGHall at BellSouth.Net