Indoor Discone

[K2KOH]

Well, I'm moving from my mobile home to a nice condominium. Unfortunately, though the condo is much nicer, it also means my antenna farm comes down. So long, long wire, Cushcraft vertical, etc.
So, has anyone had any experience using a discone inside the house? I have a coat rack with removeable arms that I could use as a freestanding mast and mount the discone near the window.
I also want to ask if anyone has used that really thin magnetic wire for a shortwave receiving antenna, and if so, what did you think?

Thanks for your help, Gang

 

[MacombMonitor]

Maybe where the condo is located, you won't even need a big antenna. Is it a first floor condo, or higher?

There are a lot of ways to discuise antennas, and wire thickness shouldn't be a big issue. Some antennas now have black elements, making them almost invisable. Others slip over roof top vent pipes, and look like the pipe itself! For short wave, a Slinky hanging down works well. I know one guy who leaves his outdoor Christmas lights up all year, unplugs them, and uses them as a shorwave antenna. I've also hear of clipping a wire to a roof gutter. Try using Google, and do a seach on "Hidden Antennas", or "Disguised Antennas", or similar phrases. You should find a lot of helpful info!

 

[crazyboy]

Do you have access to an attic? If so, I would put the antennas up there.

 

[ka3jjz]

Indeed; if the roof doesn't use metal in the shingles, and you keep it as far away from any wiring as possible (VERY important) you should be fine. You won't be able to hear nearly as far mounting it indoors, but if you are moving to a condo that has these thrice-xxxx rules about antennas, it's unavoidable (I've lived in condos and apartments for a long time, so I know the frustration...and I'm a ham to boot)

Re using magnetic wire; yeah, that's work OK. However I understand it snaps easily (birds, ect.) so that might be a consideration. We now have several antenna links in the SW broadcast and utility wikis that should give you some ideas. Don't be afraid to get out the old soldering iron and building your own; you won't hurt a thing (maybe your wallet, a little bit anyway) and you'll learn by doing.

73s Mike

 

[N_Jay]

apartments for a long time, so I know the frustration...and I'm a ham to boot)

Re using magnetic wire; yeah, that's work OK.

MAGNET WIRE, not MAGNETIC WIRE

 

[Al42]

MAGNET WIRE, not MAGNETIC WIRE

And I prefer Litz wire for invisible antennas.

 

[JnglMassiv]

Here's what I've used. Works great*!

*Ok, there was that one instance when my roommate-at-the-time was playing Dance Dance Revolution and the floorboards resonated to the point of tipping the entire stand over. All bent antenna elements have been repaired.

 

[n2pqq]

You might want to take a look at the scanmaster desktop discone.



http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/acatalog/scanmaster-antennas.html



Good luck on the new condo.

Fred

 

[K2KOH]

Cool...thanks for the advice, guys...Mike, I'm a ham, too...it gonna be interesting. Fred, it's a little closer to White Plains now...LOL

 

[johnvassel]

Figure out your lengths, then find some burglar alarm window foil, with take off blocks.
Rad shack used to carry it, not sure if they still do.
I've even used it to line just around the edge of the window, not even really visible to others.

john

 

[buttons]

indoor discone

I have a scantenna on my roof. Recently put a Diamond D130 in my attic because I'm too fat & ugly to climb to my roof. Works fine.

 

[jeffesa1]

Mounting Indoor Discone

Hello all-I am new to this site and need some help. I recently just purschased the discone antenna but am having trouble finding a mount for it. Would you recommend in my attic or would a standing mount in a room be sufficient? Either way, where can I purchase the mount? Thanks!

 

[Al42]

It it has to be free-standing on the floor, the Radio Shack 15-517 or equivalent would do the job. Otherwise it would depend on what you're mounting it to.

 

[Audiodave1]

Hey Folks,
As long as you do not have a tin roof or one using shingles that are foil backed it works fine!

Here is my former attic antenna farm. From Wilmington DE I could hear air traffic from NYC to DC (at 26,000 ft)

Oh, and the antenna mounts are speaker stands made by Ultimate Support.
http://ultimatesupport.com/ts70.html

They work great!

Dave

 

[K2KOH]

Nice setup, Dave...unfortunately, I'm in the bottom unit and it's more like an apartment. I've decided on magnet wire around the ceiling for my R75 and FRG100...I guess the discone on a mount near the window. I have no chance of hearing ATC where I'm moving anyway, just the aircraft...but one never knows...

 

[pequeajim]

Hey Folks,
As long as you do not have a tin roof or one using shingles that are foil backed it works fine!

Here is my former attic antenna farm. From Wilmington DE I could hear air traffic from NYC to DC (at 26,000 ft)

They work great!

Dave

Dave, a newbe question here.

Why the different types of antennas? If all I want to monitor is air traffic, which is the best of the two you have?

 

[Audiodave1]

Hello,
I monitor everything from 30 Mhz-950Mhz.
With the varity of antennas I have I am able to monitor land based systems for about a 50 mile radius...generally.

For air only I stick with the discone.
The others are tuned to specific bands for police, fire and business systems.

Your radio (and reception) is only as good as the antenna(s) you connect to it!

Dave

 

[ka3jjz]

For HF antennas, see the Antennas wiki. You might pick up some more ideas about what you can use; being in an apartment, you're going to have to contend with a lot of noise sources, which is going to cause you some grief. Some of those hombrewed coax loops (no, not the commercial - and expensive - kinds) might just be the ticket.

73s Mike

 

[cj5]

Here is my former attic antenna farm. From Wilmington DE I could hear air traffic from NYC to DC (at 26,000 ft)

Oh, and the antenna mounts are speaker stands made by Ultimate Support.
http://ultimatesupport.com/ts70.html

Dave,

How are those speaker stands as far as extensibility? Do they have accessories like booms, extension poles, etc...?

 

[cj5]

Oh, and the antenna mounts are speaker stands made by Ultimate Support.
http://ultimatesupport.com/ts70.html

They work great!

Yes they do. I just bought one, not only is it inexpensive, but the stand is very sturdy.