Good antenna for FT8 use?

[KQ4VKM]

Hello all, I hope I am posting this in the correct place. I am a technician class operator who just purchased an icom IC-7300 with my tax refund (thanks, Uncle Sam! lol) I intended to take the exam to get my general license and then use the HF bands for voice communications. However, I currently live with family and they are vehemently opposed to any sort of permanent antenna going up anywhere on the property. So, I thought I could possibly try out FT8 in the meantime (except that I am completely new to FT8 and haven't been able to understand much about it). Is it possible to operate FT8 with an indoor antenna and, if so, would you have any recommendations for specific antennas? Thanks so much for any help.

 

[vagrant]

An end fed antenna you can easily setup/take down. Do you have a tree and 66’ of room for the thin wire? The end fed will allow you to easily switch between bands as well to work various FT8 freqs. If not, I use a Chameleon loop for FT8. 10W max is the limit and you must retune every time you switch bands. You will get tired of that. It is a very inefficient antenna as well. I enjoy a challenge, you may not. In fact, avoid it that loop suggestion.

I do not use an HF antenna indoors to TX. Noise from devices on Rx and causing RF problems during TX will make your family displeased.

 

[AK9R]

Keep in mind that your Technician license only gives you data privileges, which includes FT8, on 10 meters. You will need to upgrade to General to operate FT8 on the other bands.

 

[N1EXA]

That alot of radio to do FT-8 but do enjoy - Your going to have to get something out side because you going to go through everything
in the house inclueding matresses and toasters with RF Energy plus the Swr will be a job to deal with inside plus your Computer
will go crazy with 25+ watts of RF power next to it. If you can get away with an Attic Antenna It could work for you all depends on the house.

So A Long wire with a 9:1 balun or a Dipole antenna you can put out in the back yard on a pipe for a few hours in not going to bother
anybody to much seeing 10 meters is going to be a daylight band to use. - Hiding things in trees is pretty easy - You can also try A CB car or base antenna you can put on a metal area for a ground plane.

Look at my page on QRZ I have nothing on roofs or towers and work the world on FT-8 and FT-4.

N1EXA Callsign Page

N1EXA personal biography

www.qrz.com

Pete N1EXA

 

[alcahuete]

My good friend has used a DX Commander for years, with very good results. Takes him about 10 minutes to setup and take down. Not sure if your family would allow portable antennas like that to be put up while you're playing radio, but that's an option.

 

[AC9KH]

An end fed antenna you can easily setup/take down. Do you have a tree and 66’ of room for the thin wire? The end fed will allow you to easily switch between bands as well to work various FT8 freqs. If not, I use a Chameleon loop for FT8.

Indoor antennas are not a real good idea with switching power supplies powering virtually every appliance and electronic device these days. I'd definitely go with the end-fed. Put up a little pulley and rope or something to easily take it down and roll it up when you're not using it. As the family gets used to the concept, leave it up and see if anybody complains about it, and if they do then say "oh, I forgot to take it down".