I used to run wire all sort of different ways to be able to get a little more signal. For my father who I purchased a restored national tube receiver. He lived in an HOA and he wanted some more antenna. So I used some thread spools as insulators and standoffs and mounted those up underneath the eaves of the house where you could not see them and ran some small wire across those so he could have a long wire. Years ago, my wife and I built a spiral antenna with a small capacitor for tuning shortwave. Years later when my dad went into the old folks home, he bought the big Grundig. I forget the model number. And I had to run magnet wire out to a tree and weight it so it would flex with the tree. Nobody caught onto that antenna and my dad got hours of joy, listening to shortwave and utility stations.. anybody else enjoy building antenna projects?
The best and smallest way to have a decent antenna when you have place limitations is using a loop antenna or a whip antenna… You have several low cost options in the market from the The PAØRDT Active Whip antenna that you can buy or DIY
Here you have a great explanation about it:
or the common magnetic loop antenna here:
Both are most efficient antenna systems for the lack of space problem mainly for reception of course…
I have always been a fan of mag loops. I have built a couple over the years. I have also always enjoyed a good stealth antenna too. Like the old magnet wire running from the apartment to maybe a street side tree. Last year I bought some Davis polystealth wire very fine but very strong. Very hard to see when it’s in the air. One can build some nice antennas for not a bunch of money. It can also be fun to try.