Obviously I was in over my head when I bought the DSW. I thought I had done appropriate research, but I certainly did not. Many apologies.

The roof partially overhangs.

I'm on the top floor. My little balcony is about 5'9" long by 3' wide.

I'm a new ham, so I hope to learn all the skills in the future, but right now I'm not ready to do so.

Thanks so much. Maybe I should ask a different question. I bought a DSW-40 for a great price on the classifieds. It powers up just great and now I want to (first) listen to and then eventually practice my morse (which I'm learning, slowly!) on the 40M band - making contacts with others.

I live in a 3rd floor apartment with a small balcony - I need to operate super stealth. And, soldering and wiring are not my thing - I'm a new ham with little budget and a very tight lease.

So, what would you suggest for a budget-conscious antenna? And then, what would I need - from start to finish - to attach it to my DSW-40. Yes, I know this is asking a lot...stealth, help, budget. Thanks in advance.

I'm trying to attach a slinky antenna (purchased via slinkyantenna.com) to RG-6 Coax. The slinky antenna has a SO-239 end. What connector do I need to connect the antenna to the coax?

Thanks in advance for your help!

While I'm getting all this great help, I have a somewhat related question - on interference.

I've been without a lower neighbor for a little while, but yesterday someone moved in to the apartment just below mine. Is it coincidental that I had all sorts of interference on my little FT-60 on the 2m/70cm bands? (I don't have any interference with my own tv, computer, etc.)

My balcony is wood, but I am on the top floor of a building. However, my landlord is super picky about things as many of the lessees are college students (I not though). I have a strong music background (a BA and MA in music comp) so I'm already seeing the value there in learning letters. Had a blast learning last night. Plan to do that for now and go from there. Thanks!

Not a tree anywhere close.

Thanks. I quit being worried about the he/she thing years ago - with this first name - it isn't worth being bothered about. That is why it took so long for me to say anything here. Just didn't want to mislead anyone. I'm a proud new female ham op!

I have to operate stealth as I'm in an apartment building on the 3rd floor. That is, in part, why the Kenwood unit wouldn't work for me (thanks Larry for saving me there). I don't think my neighbors want everything screwed up due to RF. Everything here has been really helpful - thank you all.

Thanks again, everyone. This is great food for thought. BTW - I'm a "she."

OOPS - should have read better. Will try ARRL addy.

Drop me an email - I might be interested if it is okay by the eHam rules: KL-Lemaster@wiu.edu

Thanks, everyone. This gives good food for thought. I'm definitely not one who would only buy new - I love the good equipment (my radio/receiver and speakers are my dad's old Pioneer from the mid-1970s, which I use for everything from listening to records to listening to my iPod using the phono jack/RCA plug). Again, this gives me a lot to chew on (no pun intended) and it is much appreciated.

Thanks so much for clarifying this all for me. I would never even try to go on the air without a lot of practice. I also appreciate the information on the difference between using the terms Morse Code and CW. Again, thanks!

Should add, as a new ham with a small budget, my shack consists solely of a FT-60R handheld.