Newbie in HOA

[radiobuff0978]

For HF, I ran a 9:1 Unun tapped in to my gutter and ran radials. For UHF VHF, I hung a JPole antenna in a nearby tree, and I buried the coax cable. I ran my main HF coax around the side of my house through a garden and covered it with mulch. I worked quite a few DX stations. My window had some brick below the window, and I found a paint close to the brick color. Sprayed the coax and it blended in. Stealth is the key. Good luck!

Here is the JPole Slim Jim UHF /VHF antenna link:

Authentic N9TAX VHF/UHF Slim Jim J-Pole Dual Band 2m 70cm Antenna jpole | eBay

I've been producing these antennas professionally for over a decade now and have sold over 30,000 units. The UHF Female (so-239) is the default connector. Ferrite choke installed on cable. This antenna is not designed to be connected directly to a radio.

www.ebay.com

 

[krizanek]

Here are some results of using the radiant barrier osb that covers my roof. I hooked up 20 feet of radiant barrier OSB for the center conductor of the coax and 8 feet for the shield of the coax. All hooked up and compared Wwv at 2.5,5,10,15,20 mhz. A definite improvement of a 35 foot dipole behind the OSB with a 1:1 balun. The noise level went up, but so did the signal levels much higher tho. I checked New York radio on 17,13,11,8 mhz definite improvements. I went up to 27/28 mhz, noise level increased and picking am/ssb traffic these. My dipole was dead on those freqs. My receiver is a 40 year old Yaseu FRG7700 I realigned last month. Mfj antenna tuner, now with an antenna switch. The only comparison I can make at the moment is audible cues and S meter units on the radio. New York radio on the dipole was barely moving the needle. With the radiant barrier, I now get S9+ on the meter. That’s a big difference, unless
propagation is messing with me. Now to experiment with more surface area and maybe a 4:1 balun. The 4:1 balun did not help. I did increase the surface area of the left and right side of the dipole. it gave a modest increase. Then I purchased a Airspy Hf +. Now a better receiver and a increase there also. Right now, I am listening to Hfdl from Bolivia on 13 MHz with great signal at 9 pm. Try the osb and see how it works for you. Granted it is not for transmitting.

 

[w2xq]

This is the verbiage from my HOA regarding antennas...
View attachment 160976

I think I have a headache. Yuk.

 

[Abies]

I think I have a headache. Yuk.

My antenna field will have to be a field of dreams, so to speak. On the plus side, I found out yesterday that the wall and roof insulation in the new house is foam rather than foil-backed fiberglass.

Thanks to others for the additional ideas that have popped up here.

 

[merlin]

I think I have a headache. Yuk.

Sounds like you have it better than most.

 

[w2xq]

Sounds like you have it better than most.

Yes, no HOA, but an acre of Pine Barrens woods: pitch pines, maple and holly trees. But the 100' maple that held dipoles at 100' and 50' broke last fall. It isn't easy feeding rope and wire.

 

[PewPewChris]

Beginning stages of my base uhf/vhf setup. Mast holder and "hidden" installed. Next step is to get a mast to attach the Comet X300.

 

[Gymbag]

Are you allowed to have a flag pole on your property or off the side of any walls? Just sayin

 

[Abies]

Are you allowed to have a flag pole on your property or off the side of any walls? Just sayin

One flagpole in front, attached to the building. They already installed the holder. In any case this would not be high enough for 144 or higher bands thanks to the building materials used in the neighborhood. Rooftops tend to reach the two-story height despite all the houses being one story.

There are a lot of commonalities in HOA restrictions but also some significant differences from one to the next. Some people have the ability to install a vertical flagpole that can double as an antenna thanks to the rules they are under.

I appreciate the help people are giving me because some of these ideas will work in my particular case. Other ideas may not be feasible in my case but may work for others in different situations. One way or another it's all good!

 

[ElroyJetson]

I would rather live downwind of a slaughterhouse in the summer than live in an HOA. I have a saying about the phrase "Homeowner's association" that I probably can't repeat here. Feel to PM me and ask and I'll tell you what it is.

I'd NEVER EVER move to a community that has an HOA. And I strongly advise others to avoid making that MISTAKE, too.
If you ARE in an HOA, you have my condolences. Now try to get on the association's board of directors and start changing it so it doesn't suck quite so bad.

 

[merlin]

Here are some results of using the radiant barrier osb that covers my roof. I hooked up 20 feet of radiant barrier OSB for the center conductor of the coax and 8 feet for the shield of the coax. All hooked up and compared Wwv at 2.5,5,10,15,20 mhz. A definite improvement of a 35 foot dipole behind the OSB with a 1:1 balun. The noise level went up, but so did the signal levels much higher tho. I checked New York radio on 17,13,11,8 mhz definite improvements. I went up to 27/28 mhz, noise level increased and picking am/ssb traffic these. My dipole was dead on those freqs. My receiver is a 40 year old Yaseu FRG7700 I realigned last month. Mfj antenna tuner, now with an antenna switch. The only comparison I can make at the moment is audible cues and S meter units on the radio. New York radio on the dipole was barely moving the needle. With the radiant barrier, I now get S9+ on the meter. That’s a big difference, unless
propagation is messing with me. Now to experiment with more surface area and maybe a 4:1 balun. The 4:1 balun did not help. I did increase the surface area of the left and right side of the dipole. it gave a modest increase. Then I purchased a Airspy Hf +. Now a better receiver and a increase there also. Right now, I am listening to Hfdl from Bolivia on 13 MHz with great signal at 9 pm. Try the osb and see how it works for you. Granted it is not for transmitting.

I have never considered an OSB barier for an antenna. A tuner there I am certain would help. As for matching, You could use a Nano VNA,
The smith chart can tell you of reactive componants and resistances to help select a good balun

 

[merlin]

I appreciate the help people are giving me because some of these ideas will work in my particular case. Other ideas may not be feasible in my case but may work for others in different situations. One way or another it's all good!

Well each case is likely going to be different, that is to be expected. I have seen everything from metal rain gutters to attic insulation strips, to broad band butterfly, all with good results. Decisions, decisions. The amount of work and cost for any, the practicality and performance goals.
Now I had a buddy in an HOA, not a sole could spot his HF antenna without it being pointed out.
That was the broad band butterfly surrounding the perimeter of his roof. Total, about 85 foot per leg. His performance was oustanding.