"Any antenna close to a structure will give you nothing other than solid S9 noise on all bands."
This just isn't True in many cases. As a matter of fact, some hams have indoor loops simply thumbtacked up, or behind molding.
I'm still looking at the condo structures here deep in the "Sunshine" State, with it raining off and on all day, and all night. One thing Ham Radio teaches you is to be observant, adapt and overcome.
Doing the End Run around HOT Masters right under their very snouts from inside The Belly of the Beast really IS a fun and productive way to spend a rainy day or two, and it beats daytime TV. Or Anytime TV.
My Observations:
A lot of retrofitted security cameras, long runs in external conduit.
Possibilities here for a "camera" that isn't a working camera. Or one that works only when you want it to.
So there's a long conductor. You could modify it after any "inspections" and nobody is likely to mess around with it afterwards: After all, it's a "Camera".
There are a lot of hollow columns all over the place in general.
Some are wood. Some are fibreglass.
I'm rather surprised at the multitude of these "false" columns,
Both square and round. They seem like potential Termite Havens to me.
Speaking of "Termites" and Cameras, someone might even use a drill and use a cheap Harbor Freight Snake Camera to make a "close inspection" of such a column. To see if any termites are dwelling there, and to make double sure that there isn't any load bearing members under the decorative wood. Before dropping an antenna wire down there...And then CAULK that hole up!
A Wired "Security System" offers a lot of... Well... Wire that could be used for an antenna.
This "Security System" would have no monthly payments, and ensure "Security" from HOA Jackboots.
It might even do "double service" as far as that goes if things were done right...Consider the Foil Idea that someone else mentioned a few posts ago...
Orange Cords might be left outside at times.. . They are nice jacketed flexible conductors. You just might find one laying out on a balcony. It's readily moved in an out of doors and "hides" in plain site.
Got a big screened pool area? The Land of Fla seems to be LOADED with them. It might be metal. Or the frame. Or you might mount "lights" inside of it.
An enclosed screen porch or any screening really obscures the vision. They use a lot of back coloured screen in these parts.
Zip ties are your friends. And also, those double sided velcro thingies that are strong and can be done AND undone repeatedly might be your BETTER Friends.
Fancy that, I see the Security Golf Cart heading this way...
73 DE W8LV BILL