Linda,



There are several factors that may each be contributing to your 
reception problem. Some are simple to explained, others not so easy, 
but here goes. Most of this really applies to any radio and indoor 
antenna, but the hand held is our focus for now.



First, regardless of the length of the antenna, both the receiving and 
transmitting pattern of any hand held radio is affected by its 
surroundings. These surroundings include, but are not limited to 
buildings, walls, large metal objects, even people standing near the 
antenna. This is one reason why reception will change as you walk 
through your house with the radio, and even as you face in different 
directions within a given room. My favorite example of this phenomenon 
happened when I gave a friend one of those FM broadcast band dipole 
antennas that was made from what we used to call "TV wire". He was 
trying to hear an Album Rock station in stereo, but needed a better 
antenna. When I saw him the next week, he said he hung the antenna in 
his window curtains, and it worked very well with only one problem. 
Even with that antenna, he could only hear the station when the 
refrigerator door was open. Stuff like that happens with indoor 
antennas, and it is unavoidable.



So, other than standing in front of the refrigerator with the door 
open, here are a few ideas.



Try using a magnetic mount mobile antenna sitting on top of a file 
cabinet, the refrigerator, washer, drier, or on an upside down metal 
pan or coffee can. The last two options will allow you to move the 
antenna around more easily if needed.



You can also try a J Pole antenna hanging in a window, or from a 
convenient place. Most J Poles are not duo band, however.



Before you go out and buy either of these possibilities, try to find a 
local who will bring one over to be sure it will do what you need.



If you can put the antenna on a balcony, or in the attic, then you 
will notice a really big improvement. But, if you can't do that, you 
will still get better results even indoors with the above mentioned 
antenna options than with something mounted directly on the radio.



One problem that you can't do much about is any signal blockage caused 
by most of your building being between you and the repeater. If, for 
instance, your only available window faces north, any antenna placed 
in or near that window isn't going to do much toward the south. This 
statement is more true for 2 meters than for 440. It is also one 
reason why a window is not always the best location for the antenna. 
Sometimes, they perform better for specific repeaters or directions if 
placed in the middle of the room, or in some other place that is more 
or less out of the way and doesn't give your interior decorator a 
nervous breakdown.



The quick solution for now is to try the radio from various locations 
within your house. You may indeed find that you need to talk over 
repeater A from the kitchen, Repeater B from the bedroom, and repeater 
C only when outside.



I hope this helps a little, if only to let you know what is going on 
with the signals.





Mike Duke, K5XU
American Council of Blind Radio Amateurs