I've worked AO 51 with a hand held from inside a wood frame house if that info helps (:

My $.02 worth if you can get omni antennas in the attic space of a typical wood frame building with a non conductive roof you will likely be able to make some contacts. Hope this helps.

john heath wrote:

Hi Satelliters, Moving QTH soon and expect to be in an area where there are no external antennas permitted. Does anyone on the list have actual experience of working satellites with antennas mounted inside the roofspace? I would be very interested to hear of your experiences and what type of antennas work best. 73 John G7HIA _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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John,

I feel your pain.

Five years ago I had the same problem. Newer developments near where we lived at the time had CC&Rs which banned all types of overhead antennas except for commercial satellite TV. We about had one development talked into letting me erect a simple nearly hidden antenna, but then their lawyer said "no." Their sales people could not believe that I then backed out of the deal.

So two years ago, we relocated to Montana, big sky country, and a subdivision where the covenant contains no bans on antennas. A contractor had just finished building a very nice speculation home and we bought it along with the 5 acres it sits on. Because of mountains all around, the propagation angles are not perfect, but its good enough.

I'm now in the process of building my satellite station. The M2's are going up on a 33 ft UStower crank up. It needs to be that high to clear my buildings and have a clear shot at all horizons. I'll also use the tower to hang some wires for h.f. bands.

Not only no covenant restrictions on antennas, no local zoning ordinances against them either. It's great; just ask any of the many who have received my QSL card from DN27, a rare grid in a rare state.

73 and good luck with concealing your antennas.

Larry, W7IN Plains, Montana