Hi, Tom, The printed circuit antenna like Dr. Gariott used when he became 
the first astronaut.  This antenna could be used on G 10 plexyglass board. 
And somewhere,  there can still be foundthe overlay for the antenna.  Good 
luck on your project and best 73 from Larry and Pam wa4ihi and wa4smb.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 5:39 PM
Subject: suggestions for low-profile external antenna for NOAA Weather 
Radios


> Hi, all.
>
> I know that this inquiry might sound elementary, but I'm dealing with a
> rather interesting problem that may require a somewhat unique and creative
> solution.
>
> As many of you know, I live in semi-rural West-Central lower Michigan. 
> The
> location of my home QTH is about 30 miles from the nearest NOAA weather
> radio transmitter.
>
> My wife and I have taken on a project of getting NOAA Public Alert radios
> set up in all seven of the public schools in my community.
>
> The radios they have been given via a government-distribution program are
> "Re-Com" radios.  I don't have the model number, but can get it if that
> would help.
>
> In some of the schools in my community, the telescopic antennas provided
> with the radios are enough to pick up the NOAA transmitter signal, so long
> as the radio is placed near a window.
>
> In three cases, though, the schools are even a bit farther from the
> transmitter, in that they are on the eastern side of town, while the best
> transmitter is located to the west.
>
> The stock antennas simply don't provide enough signal strength to allow 
> the
> transmitted public alert tones to activate the receivers.
>
> So, we're now left with trying to come up with some sort of a simple
> low-profile external antenna that, if strategically placed, might be 
> enough
> to boost the signal strength of the NOAA transmitter sufficiently to 
> receive
> the alarms.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions for a low profile external antenna that
> might be used for this purpose?
>
> If home-brewing is the best way to go, please send along specific
> instructions for us to follow in making the antenna.
>
> If we might do better with something commercially-produced, please give us 
> a
> web site or phone number of a place to call, and we'll pursue that too.
>
> Keep in mind that the folks in these public school offices are not like we
> hams, who are used to wires being strung out all over the place.  They are
> very concerned about public appearance, and don't want some ugly-looking
> antenna greeting visitors to the school office areas.
>
> Thanks for any assistance that can be provided.
>
> If you want to e-mail me privately, my private e-mail is:
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ, Big Rapids, MI