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Author Topic: Apartment Living?  (Read 1832 times)

KL7CW

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #15 on: December 31, 2019, 03:22:00 PM »

Some folks worry about the police "busting" them for their suspicious activities.  I have operated portable in several states and foreign countries and no authority ever questioned me.  One time a park ranger even helped me rig a wire antenna in a tree, which I understand is now frowned upon.  I do not operate near an airport or military base, just to avoid suspicion, although that is probably legal in most cases.
         Enjoy your portable operation  KL7CW
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W1VT

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #16 on: December 31, 2019, 03:28:19 PM »

Mobile or Portable operation is not allowed  in Pakistan, but anyone who read rule 10 should know that.

https://www.pta.gov.pk/media/rbsforms/tac08042016.pdf

You are an idiot if you think you can operate from a foreign country without reading the documents that come with your license.
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W7XTV

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #17 on: December 31, 2019, 04:03:46 PM »

Some folks worry about the police "busting" them for their suspicious activities.  I have operated portable in several states and foreign countries and no authority ever questioned me.  One time a park ranger even helped me rig a wire antenna in a tree, which I understand is now frowned upon.  I do not operate near an airport or military base, just to avoid suspicion, although that is probably legal in most cases.
         Enjoy your portable operation  KL7CW

Better luck than I had with Canadian Customs at the Niagara Falls border crossing in 1982.  The customs official made me, under threat of arrest, to dismantle my 2 meter rig and antenna and pack them away.  Never mind the fact that the US and Canada have had a reciprocal agreement since 1952!  I showed her my ham license but she didn't care.  She said that bringing a transmitter into Canada without the proper paperwork was a felony, and my ham license wasn't good enough. 

I couldn't argue with her unless I wanted to wear handcuffs, so I just said "Yes, ma'am" and drove off.  I reconnected it once I got to my hotel room, with no further problems.
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W1MOW

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #18 on: January 01, 2020, 07:35:28 AM »

In this day of "If you see something, report it!", I have had LEO's (Which I am a retired LEO.) stop and ask what I am doing.. After a brief explanation, they asked a few questions, and left.

Only once did I have to ID myself as a retired LEO.

I was even asked how they could become "Hams".

The best thing to do if approached by LE, is smile, say "Hi", be willing to explain what your doing and be cooperative. If asked to leave, do so without argument, and address any concerns latter. Getting argumentative with LE seldom works out to your advantage.

Happy New Year!

Gary W1MOW
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WA9AFM

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #19 on: January 01, 2020, 11:25:35 AM »

Some folks worry about the police "busting" them for their suspicious activities.  I have operated portable in several states and foreign countries and no authority ever questioned me.  One time a park ranger even helped me rig a wire antenna in a tree, which I understand is now frowned upon.  I do not operate near an airport or military base, just to avoid suspicion, although that is probably legal in most cases.
         Enjoy your portable operation  KL7CW

Better luck than I had with Canadian Customs at the Niagara Falls border crossing in 1982.  The customs official made me, under threat of arrest, to dismantle my 2 meter rig and antenna and pack them away.  Never mind the fact that the US and Canada have had a reciprocal agreement since 1952!  I showed her my ham license but she didn't care.  She said that bringing a transmitter into Canada without the proper paperwork was a felony, and my ham license wasn't good enough. 

I couldn't argue with her unless I wanted to wear handcuffs, so I just said "Yes, ma'am" and drove off.  I reconnected it once I got to my hotel room, with no further problems.

If you entered Canada during the Summer, you likely ran into a 'Summer Hire' customs agent, aka Dick Tracey with a plastic badge and new hat.  I've had dealings with them when I was stationed in Canada. 

In a majority of the contacts, the agent asked a couple of questions and when I mentioned I was 'USAF stationed at North Bay', I was quickly sent on my way.  You did exactly what I did when entry didn't go as well; I smiled, said 'Yes Ma'am/Sir' and when clear of the border station, pull over and hook the rig/antenna back up.
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N8AUC

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #20 on: January 05, 2020, 04:05:42 PM »

The best thing to do if approached by LE, is smile, say "Hi", be willing to explain what your doing and be cooperative. If asked to leave, do so without argument, and address any concerns latter. Getting argumentative with LE seldom works out to your advantage.

That is some of the best advice there is. So many problems and over-sensationalized news stories would be avoided if people just heeded that advice.

There is a proper time and place for everything, and arguing with law enforcement in the field is never the right time or place. If a LEO tells you to do something, don't create extra stress for them. Their job is stressful enough, and they just want to go home in one piece at the end of their shift. Make sure you take note of their badge number for later use, but don't be obnoxious  or belligerent about it. The proper place to correct a LEO is in their boss's office, or if needed, a courtroom, but never in the field.
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K0XU

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #21 on: December 23, 2020, 11:48:55 PM »

I live on the 2nd floor of a 3 story apartment building. The guy who lives right above me has suggested running a feedline up along the chimney for the water heater that runs through a boxed in corner of our apartments so that I can run a dipole or two in the attic of the building. I think I probably will get around to doing that as soon as I can round up some younger help to climb around in the attic. Oh, my upstairs neighbor happens to own the building. It helps.
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K0UA

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #22 on: December 24, 2020, 05:19:47 PM »

The best thing to do if approached by LE, is smile, say "Hi", be willing to explain what your doing and be cooperative. If asked to leave, do so without argument, and address any concerns latter. Getting argumentative with LE seldom works out to your advantage.

That is some of the best advice there is. So many problems and over-sensationalized news stories would be avoided if people just heeded that advice.

There is a proper time and place for everything, and arguing with law enforcement in the field is never the right time or place. If a LEO tells you to do something, don't create extra stress for them. Their job is stressful enough, and they just want to go home in one piece at the end of their shift. Make sure you take note of their badge number for later use, but don't be obnoxious  or belligerent about it. The proper place to correct a LEO is in their boss's office, or if needed, a courtroom, but never in the field.

Excellent advice. When a LEO tells you to do something, even if it is not "right", just do it. You are not going to prove anything to a LEO by running your mouth. The things that need to come out of your mouth are "yes sir" and "thank you"  All said with a smile.  If it is bad enough, you can fix it all later in front of a judge with your lawsuit etc. And yes, you may know much more about this facet of the law than he or she does, but that doesn't help one little bit out in the field. Just a little friendly advice from another old LEO from long long ago.
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73  James K0UA

N8AUC

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #23 on: December 25, 2020, 10:22:56 AM »

Do you have access to attic space?  Provided you don't have a metal roof or metal foil insulation you might be able to build an effective antenna up there.  In a past life I lived in a top floor apartment and I was able to sneak into the attic.  I had a couple of HF dipoles and VHF/UHF antennas up there.  Coax was routed down through the ceiling of a closet.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

When I lived in St Louis many years ago, I had an apartment like that. Access to attic space through a removable panel in the ceiling of the closet off the master bedroom. A couple of HF wire dipoles, and a VHF/UHF vertical in the attic space worked very well.

In the apartment I had before that, I had a full size 20m dipole run around the top of the walls in the 1 bedroom, first floor garden apartment. That worked well, too. VHF/UHF in that apartment was lousy though. Not enough height.

73 de N8AUC
Eric

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N8AUC

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #24 on: December 25, 2020, 10:41:47 AM »

Some folks worry about the police "busting" them for their suspicious activities.  I have operated portable in several states and foreign countries and no authority ever questioned me.  One time a park ranger even helped me rig a wire antenna in a tree, which I understand is now frowned upon.  I do not operate near an airport or military base, just to avoid suspicion, although that is probably legal in most cases.
         Enjoy your portable operation  KL7CW

This reminds me of a certain county park ranger near me. We were setup for Field Day in a county metro park (yes we had permits and all). The first year we used that park, this guy was on patrol and stopped over to check us out and what we were doing. Once we showed him our permit, we gave him a guided tour of the site, including the field kitchen, setup under a picnic pavilion. We offered him food, which included some truly legendary chili one of our club members brings every year. He accepted the offer, and really enjoyed that chili. He had a piece of cake for dessert, too! We even included him in an impromptu group photo, which he really thought was cool!

Well, the next year, we're back at that same park for Field Day. And wouldn't you know it, that same ranger stopped by to "check us out" while on patrol. Turns out he knew we'd be there, and specifically asked to work that weekend shift. The reason why? He wanted some more of that chili!

Treat people right folks (including LEOs), and you'll be surprised what good things happen!

73 de N8AUC
Eric
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KB2WIG

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #25 on: December 25, 2020, 12:20:10 PM »

 

 Field test the Chili to ascertain that it is chili, and then a collect a serving for an analysis of said chili.

klc
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W8LV

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #26 on: December 27, 2020, 02:22:37 AM »

If you are having trouble with the Ontario Provincial Police, you are creating a problem.

Instead, just be Nice, follow what they say, and everything will be Fine and Dandy! You can always go to the Police Station, and then proceed AFTER explaining AND getting the Go Ahead there. You might even encounter a Ham right there at the station, and most likely your problem is solved.  Or a call to Industry Canada, the local ham club, etc. will I'M CERTAIN clear things up. The 1952 Reciprocal Agreement is easily Googled. You could carry a copy. You could also carry a copy of your license. Just in case!

IN RULE OF LAW COUNTRIES, DOCUMENTS HELP. A LOT! In Countries where you might get beaten with hoses at the Police Station? Maybe not so much...

As a Divorced Father, I always carried a copy of my Divorce Decree when in Canada. I even had a clause permitting me to take my children anywhere in the US or the Dominion of Canada in the Decree. Sure, it's just a Civil Agreement, and why carry this? Because children get KIDNAPPED by their "shared" non-residential parent all the time, and OF COURSE Police have to watch out for this when you go to another Country! In all of those years, I only had to show these papers ONCE.

Luckily, Canada is not a place where you will be beaten with hoses at the Police Station. At least that's MY experience.

But you better NOT Drink and Drive in Canada, or you are going to be VERY IN TROUBLE FOR SURE: You might not be able to come back for a visit for TEN YEARS, or EVER. EVER!
And if you DO drink and drive? Well you deserve to be beaten at the Police Station with Hoses. But they still won't actually do that to you. (Besides enjoying not being beaten at the Police Station with hoses, I enjoy NOT sharing the road with DUI drivers, but hey these are just my personal preferences along with Ham Radio...)

If you ARE in a Country where you can indeed be potentially beaten with hoses at the Police Station, you might instead consider operating, vacationing, and residing in Canada, The United States, or any Commonwealth County as an alternative, where there is every kind of choice in climate and terrain and nice places to visit, and you won't get beaten with hoses at the Police Station.
Actually, you might consider NEVER operating, vacationing or residing, ever, in a country where you might get beaten with hoses at the Police Station as your Opening Move.

Even on vacation with just some casual operating thrown in, I'm certain hams everywhere will appreciate not getting the 3AM knock, an International Incident, and possibly being beaten with hoses at the Police Station.

But if you ARE in a Country where you might get beaten with hoses at the police station, you MIGHT ALSO consider making a POLITE request to BE taken to the Police Station. Why? Because In a Country where you might get beaten with hoses at the Police Station, Requesting a trip TO the Police Station MIGHT make the policeman think that 1) You MIGHT know someone IMPORTANT at the Police Station, and 2) He's going to encounter potential problems for HIMSELF if you indeed do go to the Police Station, and indeed, he might end up getting beaten hoses at the Police Station.
However, unlike in the United States or Commonwealth Countries, you still could potentially get beaten with hoses at the Police Station.

You should also REGISTER with the US EMBASSY and make your whereabouts known. And READ THE STATE DEPARTMENT WARNINGS BEFORE YOU GO, because they might imply that you might get beaten with hoses at the Police Station, or worse, and to heed that advice that you paid taxes for! Remember, the Embassy can't represent you if you get ARRESTED in a Foreign Country!

SO why not just carry a copy of your license, ham tags also help put things at ease, and have a good time, in the United States, Canada, or any Commonwealth Country of your choice, and leave things as untouched or better than you found them, and be Courteous and Nice. And you'll never have to worry about being beaten with hoses at the Police Station.

Places where you might get beaten with hoses at the Police Station OR MUCH WORSE are probably best WORKED from the US, Canada, or any Commonwealth County of your choice, and only visited by YouTube... 

All the Best!
73 DE W8LV BILL

« Last Edit: December 27, 2020, 02:31:58 AM by W8LV »
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ONAIR

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #27 on: December 29, 2020, 07:20:48 PM »

I just moved into a two story townhouse, bedrooms upstairs. Looking to get back on the air. Just to see what kind of signals I could receive I put a loop antenna in the window. Nothing, no signals received. Just noise. I know th at propagation is bad right now but still nothing. I was thinking of running a dipole around the ceiling to see if I could get anything. If I do, I would like to make the 20 meter dipole out of 26 or so ga wire. I haven't seen the apartment manager but I hear they frown about even putting pictures on the wall. I was wondering if I ran the wire and use plastic push pins to hold it to the ceiling and wrap the wire, say once around the pin what would be the effect of this wrap? What effect of using say a 16 ga wire? Would also like to use rg174 coax for stealth. Am I shooting my self in the foot before I even start? The only way to get a wire outside, and I haven't tried it yet, is a small ga wire thru the screen? The wire would have to just hang down. No connection points. Could I run the other side of a dipole in the bedroom? There has to be a million way to get some up to operate, I am more concern with interferance.    Any other ideas would be helpful. Desperate in Ohio.
Thanks Tom N8CHR
   A  loop or end fed around the ceiling of the apartment could work!  You may also want to try a 9 foot whip out the window with a tuner at the base.
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KB9OAK

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #28 on: January 12, 2021, 11:48:26 AM »

I used to live in a very cheap one bedroom apartment.  Instead of moving to a better place I'd operate portable from really great locations.  Operating portable should be easier these days with all the compact radios that are available.

Zak W1VT

Thats what I am about to start doing. I can receive ok in the Condo, but none of my transmissions seem to get out.
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KB9OAK

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Re: Apartment Living?
« Reply #29 on: January 14, 2021, 12:45:59 PM »

My MPAS lite came in along with the backpack/Coms bag. The pack is very well made, even at $50 I still consider it well worth it. Large robust zippers and handles. Plenty of room for all the antenna gear plus much extra space for your radio and battery.
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