Viewer request to try out an antenna for ham radio in the attic.
Ham antennas in the attic.
As with most antennas the more height the better for indoor operating however most hams recommend using low output power.
It s a long way from the rabbit ear designs you might think of when picturing indoor antennas and much cooler looking than the metal contraptions often found outdoors.
If you live in a space restricted location or are under a hoa restriction you may be able to mount an antenna outside.
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 mfj 931 could potentially be used a tuned counterpoise for your attic shortwave antenna.
Falling through the roof is a much more likely scenario.
The same dipoles and loops that you use in your attic can also be used in any other room in your home.
Keep the antenna as high off the floor as possible.
Thanks david for the insulators first to comment below i ll send you an insulator in the mail.
This antenna has all the reception power of an outdoor antenna but features a curved metal frame of reflectors that are designed for fitting easily into smaller attic spaces.
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.
The same techniques apply.
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.
Often amateur radio operators are looking for alternative locations to install their antennas.
I went to my friends house to check out his setup and get him up and running on some hf digital modes.
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.
A lot of hams are struggling in an hoa with antennas o.
This calls for a little creativity.
The ge 33692 attic mount hd antenna is a notable example of an antenna specially designed for placement in the attic.
It is theoretically possible to create a fire in the attic from your ham radio antenna but the conditions required for that to work require purpose and luck making this not a realistic concern for the typical attic farmer.
Remote rf switch control box in the shack chooses which antenna is operational in the attic.
