Ham Radio Attic Antenna Installation

Once all the yagis were bolted in place on the mast i used my antenna analyzer to adjust their driven elements to provide the best match in the weak signal portions of each band.

Ham radio attic antenna installation.

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. Remote rf switch control box in the shack chooses which antenna is operational in the attic. I have two main options for an antenna either an install in the rafters of my house no attic per se or a temporary setup on my balcony for hf sessions. Attic antennas many types of antenna can be mounted in the attic if you don t have radiant barrier tech shield.

I also live in an association where an external antenna would not work out. For anyone who does not like heights this is a. I went to my friends house to check out his setup and get him up and running on some hf digital modes. If you have some sort of attic in your home apartment or condo you re in luck.

The mfj 931 could potentially be used a tuned counterpoise for your attic shortwave antenna. Often amateur radio operators are looking for alternative locations to install their antennas. 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. It is normally very much easier to install a radio antenna in the attic or roof space than outside.

A lot of hams are struggling in an hoa with antennas o. There is no need to climb up ladders and possibly onto the roof with all the hazards for untrained people not used to climbing up ladders and handling them whilst up there. This calls for a little creativity. The balcony option would at least not have to go through the roof.

Attics are great locations for indoor antennas. 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. 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. Need lots of room keep them away from metal objects like heaters and ducts wire antennas can be run near the peak of the roof inside the attic bent in odd shapes to match the space available.

For example you can install a wire dipole in almost any attic space.