Indoor Antenna solutions?
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
Any Ideas?
-Alex
Alex,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
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.
Pete
K2XM
Saco, Maine
K2XM
Saco, Maine
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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- Location: Boston, MA
SighOn 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
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>
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.
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.
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!
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!
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
Damn... not a bad deal!! Just wait til you're married and have kids though!!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