SUBJECT: Indoor telescoping beams

       One problem I have encountered from Hams living in apartments
is the space to place a VHF/UHF antenna.  This concerns operation of
the beam from a bedroom or porch.  In these cases, the Ham can not 
keep the antenna up and must remove the antenna after he or she 
finishes.

       Using telescoping elements can solve the problem.  Adding a two
or more section boom can further the portablilty for the antenna making
it idea for field day, camping, or travel also.

       Dimensions for beams have been discussed earlier, so I won't
rehash them here.  The best portable and quickest for set-up is the
four element VHF antenna.  A two section quick clamp boom with mounting
flange for a camera tripod provides the base.  Each element contains
two telescoping units and a snap on fitting for attachment to the boom.

       The driven element has shorter telescoping units to preserve the
gamma match section as one piece.

       The antenna described here can be stored in a briefcase save the
camera tripod.  A VHF four element antenna can provide 9dBi of gain for
the apartment dweller.


-WS