Hi!

 

For practical reasons (e.g., space issues, zoning restrictions, landlord
concerns, etc.), I am thinking about putting up a MFJ 43' vertical 160 - 6
meter antenna <http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-2990>
.  This question relates to how metal content within the walls of my house
might affect the radiation pattern of this antenna.  Basically, I am
wondering if my walls will meaningfully interfere with transmit/receive
operations of this antenna.

 

The walls in my house contain about an inch thick layer of stucco which is
meshed with chicken wire.  This chicken wire is the kind with about 1.5"
holes.  On the inside of this is a layer of tarpaper.  This tarpaper is
secured with metal wire of about 18 gage running horizontally; with such a
wire about every 8' from the bottom to the top of the wall.  The rest of the
wall is standard 2"X4" and plywood construction.  The house was built in
1941.  So, it is this chicken wire and tarpaper wire I am wondering about.

 

This antenna would be ground mounted about 2' from the wall, and secured to
the roof's eve overhang per MFJ's installation instruction in the manual.
Also, there is a water heater within a metal enclosure that is about
3'WX3'DX7'H that is about 6' away from where this antenna would go.  My
house is single story; so about two-thirds of the height of this antenna
would be above the rooftop.

 

How much might the chicken wire and tarpaper wire mess-up my antenna?  What
about the water heater?

 

73 and happy Field Day!

 

Richard KK6MRH