Antenna installer for HF in Baltinmore, Maryland

Jerry2022

Hello, I am a 81 year-old retired professor who has wanted to do Ham Radio since I was 10 years old. Life has a way of getting in the way.

I would now like to get involved with the Flex 6400, however, I have one major problem and need some help.

I live in a condominium townhouse with very restricted rules - no antennas period. However, there is a small attic which MIGHT take a dipole (30 feet total). I am unable to install such an antenna myself and don't every know if the attic would even take it.

I need someone to come into my house, look around and make a recommendation and then install an antenna.

Does anyone know of an antenna specialist (individual or company) in the Baltimore, MD area that could help me. If so, I would love to have the name and contact info for such a person or company. Internet search has only come back with TV and Satellites companies.

Thank you.

Neil D Friedman N3DF

My suggestion: join a local club and make it known you would appreciate some assistance. An alternative might be to join ARRL (a good idea, in any event) and email your local section manager requesting a referral for assistance. In addition, I am wary that a complex Flex SDR is the ideal radio for an absolute beginner with a highly compromised antenna. A used, simpler radio, purchased at a hamfest (with guidance) or from an upgrading club member for a few hundred dollars, might facilitate your learning and early enjoyment of HF radio. In any event, good luck and enjoy! Incidentally, I am 75 and have been an active ham for almost 60 years.

Jerry2022

Thank you but I have already joint 2 clubs.

John KB4DU

There is also remote operations available that don’t require facilities at your location, only internet access. The price of a 6400 will pay for a lot of remote time.

David Decoons, wo2x

Hi Jerry,

Touching on what John said about remote, you can always locate your radio at another QTH (family member’s house, share with a friend, etc). The Flex 6000 series radios are excellent and easy to remote, thus avoiding antenna restrictions. My friend in Hawaii and I share each other’s radios. I do have a Logbook of the World account for KH6/wo2x

When I first got married I lived in an apartment on second floor of two story apartment building. My unit had the access to attic space which ran the length of five units. I was able to put up a G5RV along the peak of the roof inside. Coiled up excess coax in attic and ran it down the wall to what they call a job box when is a 2”x4” opening, same size as an outlet. When we moved I simply put a blank cover on the job box and it looked like it was supposed to be there.

The issue I had was this was back in 1989 to 1992 and I got the “worked all neighbors” award for interference to stereos, tv’s and other stuff :-)

None of my neighbors suspected me.

73

Dave wo2x

Jerry2022

John KB4DU, Thanks for your answer. Can you please be more specific, perhaps a URL so I can read about what you are talking about. It sounds like more than a "hotspot" device.

Jerry2022

David Deacons, WO2X. Thanks for relating your experience. That is probably going to be my solution, with a much shorter dipole. I, however, am unable to install it myself which is why I am looking for a professional who can and do it correctly the first time.

John KB4DU

Jerry, google remote ham radio. It will show remotehamradio.com. They have several sites and pricing plans. Their radios are all Flex. I believe they can be operated with a maestro, or their custom remote operating software. They offer dx stations beyond what most of us can do at home. Less capable stations are available at reasonable rates for the occasional operator.