I have a Buddipole, and I love it.  I use it when camping, and sometimes in
the back yard.  The drawback is anytime you want to switch bands you have to
lower the antenna and change the lengths of the whips and move tap wires.  I
don't have the 80 meter coil, so I don't know how well it works with 80
meters. I use it with a Kenwood TS-480SAT, and use the built in antenna
tuner.  I have a roof mount tripod that I use with a 12 foot painters pole
for the mast. This allows me to use tent stakes to secure the antenna
without having to run any guy wires.  I have made contacts with the antenna
to Alaska and Hawaii on 20 meters.  The tripod and mast that come with the
antenna are okay, but you have to use a guying system to keep it up. The
roof mount tripod staked to the ground seems to work quite well. I can take
the antenna down in about 10 minutes, and put it back up in about the same
amount of time.  If you have any questions, let me know. 


Bobby Druesedow
Call Sign: W5OJT
Visit my web page at:
http://www.aledobb.com/druesedow

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Kevin Minor
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 10:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Looking for an HF antenna that I can use in an apartment.

Hi.

I have this great TS-2000, and it works great on VHF and UHF.  Anything
below 144 Mhz is a problem.  I purchased an MFJ antenna that is supposed to
be used from 80 to 6 meters, but it didn't work well.  I could tune it with
no problem, but it didn't receive well.  The antenna has a ten to twelve
foot element that you extend, and there is a counter poise that you hook to
it.  I was able to receive some CW on 80 meters, but not much elsewhere.
The driven element is at a 45 degree angle, and the setup is made to latch
to a window.  I don't remember the model of the antenna.

I'm looking for something that I can use here in my apartment.  I'm on the
first floor, so I don't have a lot of height to work with.  The management
says they wouldn't mind having a small antenna set up outside, as long as it
can be maneuvered around for keeping up the landscape.

Here's my basic question.  What antenna would best suit my purposes?  I've
heard good reports on the Buddy Pole, and that may be the way to go.  It's
compact, can be easily moved from location to location, and is self
supporting.  I'd be curious about how well it works.  I've once used a
Butternut vertical with a Yaesu radio, and I was able to get DX contacts
into France and Russia.  I'd love to do that again with the Buddy Pole, but
I'll take what I can get.

If anybody knows of something that I could put up in the apartment, such a
loop around the ceiling, I'm happy to look at it.  The main thing is it
can't be too noticeable, and I'd like to be able to work some stations with
the setup.

Thanks for any help.

Kevin Minor
[log in to unmask]

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