Apartment Antenna

JonathanB · Post by **JonathanB** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:43 pm

I'm looking for information about antennas for apartments. I'm thinking of getting a 50 watt dual band and would like to know how well it will work in an apartment. I have a patio but live on the first floor so I would have to take it inside when not in use. I might end up with something more powerfull maybe 100 or 200 watts. I'm new to ham. Thanks.

lhk0pd · Post by **lhk0pd** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:53 am

With out seeing your apartment or your front part you can use a dual band mobile with a magnet mout if you have a metal area outside to place it or maybe if you can put up a 10 or 12 ft mount you could use something like this.....http://cgi.ebay.com/Dual-Band-2M-70cm-2 ... 45f9dbcac1

JonathanB · Post by **JonathanB** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:51 am

K0pd,
Thanks for the reply. I live in a 3 story building. There is a balcony above me. There is nothing to attach a mount to. I would have to set it on the floor. The sliding glass doors have an aluminum frame.

KK4CAZ · Post by **KK4CAZ** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 11:24 am

I am in the same situation as you. My porch is actually worse since it is screened and is facing all the trees that line the back of my apartment building. I am currently using a 5/8 whip for vhf mounted on a tripod and a mobile transceiver.

I use low power on all the repeaters in my radio's memory and I hit all of them with no problem. You might want to consider this setup if you do not have anywhere to mount a magnet mount antenna on.

JonathanB · Post by **JonathanB** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:45 pm

Alex. Thanks for the reply. I'm getting a dipole and mag mount for my pickup truck anyway so I'll start with that. There is a repeater within easy handheld distance so that will get me on the air. I'm brand new to Ham so I'll just have to see what my objectives turn out to be. I'll keep your suggestion in mind.