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KB1SYV · #1 10-23-2009, 06:04 PM

Hello Everyone,

I finally got my rig and got an excellent deal in the process. I am the proud owner of a Yaesu FT-897D w/FP-30 internal PS, LDG AT-897, and 5 vertical antenna's for 40,20,17,15, and 10 m. All for $1050.00. Now that's the good news. The bad news is I've been scanning the 40 meter band for about 3 hours now and I can barely hear anyone, except for one and I found out by his callsign that he is the next town over. I have yet to have anyone answer my call. My feeling is that my transmit is not meeting the range of my recieve, by a longshot. I'm pretty sure my issue is the fact that I live in an apartment and I put the 40 meter antenna out my one window. The possible problem is that the antenna doesn't clear the surrounding 4 walls. I live on the 3rd floor, but the top of the building extends further up from my floor. I don't have access to the roof so I can't move the antenna up there. Does anyone have any ideas? Are my assumptions correct or is it something else? Would putting an antenna "in" my apartment give me a better outcome?

Thanks in advance.

Jethro

Rob KI6USW · #2 10-23-2009, 07:00 PM

Great deal.

Antennas are the most important part of the radio system. Getting them have all the performance they can produce will probably be your biggest challenge - especially in an apartment. That situation may prove to be very difficult.

If it is agreeable to the apartment mgr; maybe a single antenna in the form of a 10-40 meter dipole may be best. Apartments are really very strict about this kind of thing - I hope the best for you in this given situation.

Having them indoors can work; but chances are - it will hinder performance even more...

KD8LWX · #3 10-23-2009, 10:11 PM

Get out of the apt.
Try some field work to see if it is the building or the equipment.

Radio Tech · #4 10-24-2009, 05:19 AM

Have you checked SWR?
Feedline for open or short?
Power output from the rig?

KB1SYV · #5 10-24-2009, 08:31 AM

I have already contacted Wales outside the apartment as a demo. I just bought the radio and set it up, so I don't have a way to test anything yet.

73,

Jethro

moleculo · #6 10-26-2009, 04:24 PM

You mentioned that they're vertical antennas. I'm assuming that you are using some type of counterpoise? What can you tell us about the antennas? Of course it doesn't help that propagation has been lousy...

KB1SYV · #7 10-26-2009, 04:37 PM

I'm positive its the location. My window is located on one of the walls of a stone box for lack of a better term. The roofline is ten ft above my window. The only open air is above. I'm not sure what to do. But one thing is for sure, the answer isn't to move. That's the lazy answer.

73,

Jethro

moleculo · #8 10-26-2009, 04:55 PM

A lot of people use indoor dipoles, loops, and other antennas in apartments. It's by no means ideal, but it is doable.

KB1SYV · #9 10-26-2009, 04:59 PM

I've been trying to use an 8ft 20m and a 40m hamstick inside but I get nothing. I ran a 18 AWG jacketed wire from the back of the radio out my window to 15 ft below, but I'm not sure what else to do to get any reception from indoors.

moleculo · #10 10-27-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KB1SYV

I've been trying to use an 8ft 20m and a 40m hamstick inside but I get nothing. I ran a 18 AWG jacketed wire from the back of the radio out my window to 15 ft below, but I'm not sure what else to do to get any reception from indoors.

How do you have those hamsticks mounted? Are you able to increase the amount of ground plane underneath of them?

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