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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2002 12:29 pm
by Alex
Ok - I recently aquired a VHF Motorola Spectra A7 that I'm using inside my appartment. I'm not allowed to setup external antenna, so that's out. I can't do glass mount since these are 2+ pane windows either. I used to use a mag mount antenna on top of a lamp, however, I'd like to find a more elegent looking solution.
Any Ideas?
-Alex
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2002 2:02 pm
by k2xm
On 2002-02-08 11:29, alex wrote:
Ok - I recently aquired a VHF Motorola Spectra A7 that I'm using inside my appartment. I'm not allowed to setup external antenna, so that's out. I can't do glass mount since these are 2+ pane windows either. I used to use a mag mount antenna on top of a lamp, however, I'd like to find a more elegent looking solution.
Any Ideas?
-Alex
Alex,
Do you have access to an attic? I've use a 5/8 wave magmount on a metal tray with good results from inside the attic. That was how I operated on 2 and 440 the entire 8 1/2 years that I lived in Rochester.
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2002 2:12 pm
by Alex
No, sadly I don't. The only place I have to put things is in a small room, with a window...
On top of these restrictions, I am on the 1st floor too.
Right now I have a magmount stuck to the external DES box since that's about the only thing that it will stick to well. It works, but is no where near optimal, or neat.
-Alex
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2002 3:36 pm
by willbartlett
How about a J-pole. You could hang it from the ceiling, even disguise it as a plant :').
Simple to make, you could probably hang it in the window too. You don't have tinted windows do you? The tint sometimes can act as a rf reflector. Learned this the hard way with glass mounts on non factory tint in news vehicles.
Good luck, Will
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2002 3:41 pm
by Alex
Hrm. That sounds like an interesting Idea. I'd have to get one of my roommate to help me out, but that might be a possiblity.
I could make it look like a plant, but I have a feeling it would look quite out of place in my room... (I'm a college student... I don't think I could keep a plant alive for very long... Might be deciving....)
-Alex
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2002 10:30 pm
by willbartlett
Well, if you're in college, just make it look like the "right" kind of "plant" wink,wink, nudge,nudge, know what I mean.
73, Will
sorry, couldn't resist
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2002 11:00 pm
by Alex
On 2002-02-08 21:30, willbartlett wrote:
Well, if you're in college, just make it look like the "right" kind of "plant" wink,wink, nudge,nudge, know what I mean.
73, Will
sorry, couldn't resist
Sigh
I stay far away from that stuff... and alcohol. I take enough of those people to the hospital to know better.
-Alex
(not feeling the need to defend myself, but thought i would share regardless...)
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: alex on 2002-02-08 22:01 ]</font>
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2002 3:08 am
by vcaruso
Alex the last post has the right idea, wrong plant though.
My last employer was based out of NYC & I needed an idoor antenna. Hiding it wasnt an issue but a copper Jpole was an eyesore none the less.
I picked up a Fake cactus plant that just about fit the antenna and as Emeril would say BAM
People were none the wiser once I was done with the operation.
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2002 11:09 pm
by HumHead
Alex:
I used to make 1/4 wave bent ground plane antennas for indoor or outdoor use for next to nothing.
Just take a SO-239 connector and solder a 1/4 wave vertical radiator element to the center pin (brass hobby rod works great). Next I cut four radials at least a 1/4 wavelength long and soldered them into the four mounting holes on the jack, and bent them down at a 45 degree angle to present a 50 Ohm RF impedence. Clip and tune the center radiator, and your off!
To keep it versatile, I used to mount the whole mess into a PVC end cap, so that you could just stick it on a piece of PVC pipe as a mast, stand, or wall bracket.
Maybe even make a coat tree with an antenna on top!
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 1:15 am
by Alex
HumHead wrote:
Alex:
I used to make 1/4 wave bent ground plane antennas for indoor or outdoor use for next to nothing.
Just take a SO-239 connector and solder a 1/4 wave vertical radiator element to the center pin (brass hobby rod works great). Next I cut four radials at least a 1/4 wavelength long and soldered them into the four mounting holes on the jack, and bent them down at a 45 degree angle to present a 50 Ohm RF impedence. Clip and tune the center radiator, and your off!
To keep it versatile, I used to mount the whole mess into a PVC end cap, so that you could just stick it on a piece of PVC pipe as a mast, stand, or wall bracket.
Maybe even make a coat tree with an antenna on top!
Thanks for the advice. Maybe after exams I'll get around to thinking about making one - that seems easier than the jpole for now.
-Alex
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2002 2:39 am
by nickdap
how does RF go with plants? Would it kill them? Would they improve pattern? lol. i want to send a crawler up a mast would i need to clip it every so oftern and not allow it to wrap round the antenna?
Thanks nick
PS Great board alex
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2002 11:52 am
by nessman
The best solution?? Buy a house. Interest rates are at all-time lows and there's plenty of decent houses that can be had for a good price in Rochester.
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2002 12:48 pm
by Alex
Why would I want a mortage payment when for $451/month I get all utilities included, not to mention central air
I'd like you to find me a mortage payment that is that rate and includes all utilities (Electric, Phone, Cable...etc)
-Alex
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2002 12:51 pm
by nessman
Alex wrote:Why would I want a mortage payment when for $451/month I get all utilities included, not to mention central air
I'd like you to find me a mortage payment that is that rate and includes all utilities (Electric, Phone, Cable...etc)
-Alex
Damn... not a bad deal!! Just wait til you're married and have kids though!!
Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2002 9:04 pm
by rescue161
MY GOD, I WISH,
$950 here without utilities...
D.C. SUCKS for housing costs...
Scott