{"id":3811,"date":"2024-07-13T06:14:35","date_gmt":"2024-07-13T11:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wa2bsw.com\/?page_id=3811"},"modified":"2024-08-10T06:11:10","modified_gmt":"2024-08-10T11:11:10","slug":"attic-antennas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wa2bsw.com\/?page_id=3811","title":{"rendered":"My Attic Antenna"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antenna discussions have been going on for years and will continue on. \u00a0Included in these discussions is the subtopic of attic antennas. \u00a0This page will show what I have done and thoughts for what I may do in the future. \u00a0Every situation\/attic has its own set of challenges and should be dealt with accordingly.<\/p>\n

My operating:<\/strong><\/p>\n

As stated elsewhere in my site I operate ~95% CW. \u00a0The other ~5% is digital and my annual attempt at an SSB contact. \u00a0Also, I operate my main radio at the 25 watt level and my low power radios at from 1.5 to 5 watts. \u00a0Does my attics antenna work? \u00a0Short answer – yes. \u00a0Do I work DX with my attic antenna? \u00a0Yes (no pileup busting). \u00a0Would I like full size resonant antennas outside at the proper height instead? Yes.<\/p>\n

My antenna situation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the fourth quarter of 2016 we downsized to a smaller home. \u00a0The house needed a new roof so in case my plans for an outside antenna in our very tiny lot failed (they did) the roofing material was very important. \u00a0So much so the color and style meant little to me (not so to my wife), but the martial contained in the shingles was number one. \u00a0Other than nails, wiring and duct work our attics is metal free.<\/p>\n

I tried ham sticks as verticals and in a dipole configuration – then moved on. \u00a0I then tried doublets of various length with a tuner in the attic. \u00a0The doublets worked much better than the ham sticks. \u00a0However, up and down the attic ladder to tune the antenna was not ideal.<\/p>\n

My doublet is use today was taken from the DX Engineering website \u201cOn All Bands.\u201d \u00a0It is 55 feet long fed with a short piece on 300 ohm twin lead to a 1:1 balun. \u00a0A short piece of low loss coax runs from the balun to an LDG remote tuner. \u00a0The tuner is in a storage area on the second floor (top floor) to stay away from the Georgia heat in the attic (still warm in the storage area). \u00a0Click for a drawing of the doublet.<\/a>\u00a0 The coax run to the radio is short as the shack is also on the second floor.<\/p>\n

The pictures below are of components of my antenna.\u00a0 There is only one single strand of 18 gauge coated wire.\u00a0 The apparent double wire is a shadow from the camera flash.\u00a0 Left click to enlarge for a better view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The center insulator is the top from milk container.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Electric fence standoff.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Points to note:<\/strong><\/p>\n