Technician aspiring to General needs HF antenna advice, pls!

[W3LK]

Keep in mind that the drip is connected where the nails go through at each joint so it is one continuous length.

That is an invalid assumption and should not be taken as fact. The only way to guarantee that a drip (more properly called a lead or a downspout) or a gutter is one continious length is to actually electrically connect the sections together with screws and star washers - at the very least.

The joints made by the nails are excellent RFI generators.

[N4NYY]

I frequently hear hams asking about HF antenna advice in an apartment or townhome type QTH. I highly suggest that anyone that is interested in HF, that you either move (if possible), or avoid moving to these type of places. For one, as others have said, you cannot use power. Secondly, it is damn near impossible to put up an inconspicuous antenna in those places, even if it is a 10M antenna. If you plan to stay on HF, this is not an issue.

Being a ham, if I even move, I will never live in a developent or a townhome-like home. It's just too much trouble.