W4UYE / SASQ: Alpha HOA Buster Rain Gutter Antenna System - June 2022

[@KX4UL]

Surprisingly good SWR readings for a rain gutter! I am in an HOA and just may give it a try myself in addition to my attic antenna. Very cool that you have your grandfathers callsign. Nice radios too! 73!

[@billh.6230]

Thanks for the informative video on how well the HOA Buster Rain Gutter Antenna works. I am considering getting one to get back on the air with the restrictions my HOA has regarding antennas. It was nice to see at the end of the video the LED sign you purchased from me on eBay a few years ago still running well for you. 73s, NU9K

[@kn4yba80]

Great video, this will be another antenna option I plan to test as well. Thanks for taking the time pulling this together.

[@Dap8998]

This may be a good option for me. I don’t have an HOA to deal with but I live in NYC and am limited on space.Thanks 😃👍

[@Emcipio]

Didn't know you made a video on this system! You certainly sound great on it, glad to say I've worked you on it, as the inaugural QSO on your new 7300 no less! 73 de KO4CUL

[@normk7nwf323]

Great video. I have about 165’ of rain gutter available, going to pick one of the HOA Buster Antennas up and give it a try. I presently own a MagLoop antenna made by Alpha Antennas , very happy with it’s performance. Great job on your video, including the SWR readings…73

[@revbikerbigd8664]

9 to 1 unun works too ! Ebay cost about $40..00 100watt.

[@SASQ]

That was my initial set up and it does work, if you add a counterpoise and a line isolator. However, the HOA Buster has worked significantly better for me and requires nothing else. Alpha put magic in their can. Let's be honest, in the grand scheme of things like $700 Icom handy talkies and $1500 QRP rigs - the asking price of $250ish isn't THAT much.

[@georgebodley8068]

All good swr readings 80 metres with a matching atu happy days better than being off the air surprising what can be done to overcome aerial unfriendly sites.

[@martykm6pra114]

I run a gutter antenna in my appartment. I just run a tuner out to the down spout

[@mikepeterson443]

If you put enough power into that antenna, can you burn the leaves off that rain gutter? That would be a fantastic muti-purpose thingamajig. 73.

[@SASQ]

Now there is an experiment! 😂😂😂

[@christianknight2905]

Do you think it can be reversed with the feedpoint behind at the end of the gutter on the second story?

[@SASQ]

The thing about ham radio is that sometimes doing things different just works. I'd try it. Let me know how it does!

[@fullsleevetats]

Thanks for the review! How are you electrically isolating the antenna and cables from your HF gear, so it doesn't get fried in a nearby ground strike from lightning?

[@SASQ]

Manually disconnect in times of bad weather and put the coax end in a pickle jar away from the equipment. Not high tech, but it works. Time proven technique taught to me by the original W4UYE.

[@KX4UL]

@@SASQ That is exactly how my Dad (K0QBR, SK) did it and I do the same.

[@kaydenchristensen5011]

Hi, I am very new to HF bands. Just got my first radio set-up a few days ago. And sadly not many HAMs for a young guy like me to chat with in my area. Some questions I have. Is it pretty common to always have static on HF bands? Not as quiet as VHF or UHF? And you mentioned that it’s really quiet on the bands. Is that common not to find anyone really transmitting? Sorry for long questions and that’s for the informative video. - KL5MK

[@SASQ]

In short, yes, there is always static on the bands. The antennas are always picking up some type of natural or man made emissions QRM/QRN). On most HF rigs, this is controlled by adjusting the AF/RF gain balance, noise reduction, filters, etc. It's a bit of an art to get everything set just right, and this is if they band conditions are cooperating. I've found the lower the band, the more hash you're dealing with. Knowing your equipment and it's features go a long way to help draw a signal out of the muck - def worth checking out some videos on noise reduction/filtering on your specific model of radio. 👍👍👍

[@30pvfd]

Courious we’re did you get that switch at ?

[@SASQ]

Picked it up on Amazon. It's worked really well though, no issues as of yet with it. 👍👍👍 Anteenna TW-103 3 Position Coaxial Switch for 144/440MHz HAM CB or HF/VHF/UHF Radio UHF Female (SO-239) Connector Plated Golden a.co/d/ie2yKzi

[@Th3Mafia]

at the window, you seemed to have two coax .... was there another transformer on the other side too connected to the other section of gutter?

[@SASQ]

The second Comet jumper is actually for my UHF/VHF rig - an Icom 5100. Additionally, in the video, there is a thinner random wire running out of the window - that is a balanced lead out to my speaker wire dipole I use for testing QRP rigs. I should probably get an actual panel to run these out at some point...lol!

[@REKlaus]

Rain gutter antennas have proven to work by some hams. My question would be any RFI issues when using one.

[@SASQ]

For me? No. However I have heard of some people having issues on the higher bands causing mild interference with appliances and such. Best option is to experiment and see for yourself!

[@thuff3207]

Very interseting and I wonder how it compars to other antennas.

[@daveborchard2019]

How does the rain gutter antenna compare to a dipole or end fed antenna? Have you compared the rain gutter antenna to any other antenna?

[@SASQ]

I have other antennas and the rain gutter holds up quite nicely. Works about the same as an end fed, but not as well as a dipole. Works better than a ham stick or coil loaded vertical. Even with other antennas, I still use my rain gutters - because they do work really well.

[@maxasaurus3008]

Coiling excess cable creates a transformer of unknown value I’m told.

[@SASQ]

Most use it as an "air choke". Helps keep RF from making its way back into the shack. I've always wrapped 3-4 coils in em, following the example of my grandfather, the original W4UYE.

[@maxasaurus3008]

@@SASQ really? It’s Good?! Wow, I have learned so much from the Hams here on KZbin. Thank You!

[@Desert-edDave]

Just don't live in an HOA. Problem solved. 🤣

[@SASQ]

That's why I don't live in one myself. But plenty of people committed to HOAs BEFORE they became hams - so covert antennas are always a good option for them.