Tiny postage stamp-size gardens, intolerant neighbours, planning permission problems, living in apartments: these are some of the challenges facing the modern radio amateur when trying to get on the air. Stealth Antennas offers clear practical advice to those who might have thought they were unable to put up a suitable antenna.

Some think of amateur radio antennas and expect a 100ft steel lattice tower bristling with polished aluminium beams. At the bottom the ham resides in a purpose-built shack with the glow of a 1kW linear amplifier to keep you warm. For those the rest of the radio amateur world Stealth Antennas offers a wide range of antenna solutions to get your signal out. From using house rain gutters and drain pipes, or a magnetic loop in the loft, through to a tuned loop around the window frame a wide range of ingenious solutions are offered. Designs include magnetic loops, tuned wire loops, small verticals, zig-zag loaded dipoles, the W3EDP wire antenna, and even controversial designs such as the EH antenna. There are even reviews of a number of commercially-made stealth antennas, and descriptions several more. Stealth Antennas also looks at the best way to work DX with a modest station.

Stealth Antennas does not neglect VHF/UHF antennas. While easier to conceal because of their small size compared with HF antennas, what are the effects of mounting a VHF antenna in the loft? Roof tile absorption is discussed, as are the effects of detuning caused by copper water pipes or house wiring.

Most amateur radio operators in urban and suburban properties are faced with the fear of interference being caused to televisions, telephones, hi-fi systems and anything else with a plug on it. In these circumstances a stealth antenna may be the solution to allow you to get on the air or even the answer to your planning difficulties. Stealth Antennas has dozens of original and ingenious ideas for antennas for radio amateurs who might have thought they were radiationally-challenged.

If you are able to put up a 100ft tower and 6-element beam this book may not be for you. For the rest of us, Stealth Antennas should persuade anyone with an amateur radio licence that they can work the world without a beam, tower and linear amplifier.

Author: Steve Nichols G0KYA
208 pages, in English, 2010