I need to get serious about an inside "broadcast" antenna

[electra225]

Don't mention an external antenna. The HOA snitches would see that in a heartbeat and it would have to come down. I tried running one between the house and the shop, running thru a window. No bueno. The wife ixnayed that plan. An attic antenna is low on the list of possibility since I don't want to drill a hole in the ceiling of the shop. So it has to be something that I can string along the top of the room. I have a sorta-okay one now, but I think I can do better, and it's ugly. Antennas (antennae?) are not my strong suite. Ideas?

[TC Chris]

In my former house, I ran an antenna in the attic under the rafters, and led it through the plaster to a thumb-screw terminal mounted in a wood block in the ceiling. That let me seal it well to prevent heat loss.

But if you're dead set against a hole, build a loop antenna. I'll see if I've got the plans scanned into this computer, or a photo. It works inductively--set the radio in the middle-- or hard-wired. I've got a good old Philco AM portable sitting inside mine for listening to WSM in Saturday nights. I'll look for the plans and post them separately.

Chris Campbell

[TC Chris]

Plans. I'll try to send photos of mine later.

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

Thanks, Chris! I'll print that out and see what I can do. That looks like a size I can manage in my small shop. I have no idea what the mathematical equations are.

[William]

In my fringe area, I have had good luck with a set of old rabbit ears.

Bill

[TC Chris]

The calculations don't matter--just make a 24" x 24" frame of 1x6, make 14 cuts in each corner 3/8" apart, Wind 14 turns of #22 insulated wire, add the tuning cap from an old AM radio, and you're good to go.

I used pine and amber shellac on it, added mahogany feet for elegance. I added the single turn for a wired connection--hooked it up with twinlead and one of those clothespin-type antenna clips.

Bill, this is tuned for the AM band. Rabbit ears are typically cut for the VHF TV and FM bands,.

I just looked for photos again--must be on another camera chip; will look for them when I go home.

Chris Campbell

[William]

Chris, I realized that after I hit submit and then was too lazy to delete it.

Bill