500 watts to a non antenna, (the gutters) is not going to fix the basic
problem.
It could cause arcing and even a fire hazard at some of the gutter joints,
that might heat up.
You need a designed antenna radiator that is more easily tuned to resonance
and has predictable take off angles and antenna pattern.
Gutters have usually galvanized metal, or painted. Joint conduction is hit
or miss unless you add screws to each joint, which might introduce leaks.
Work on getting up a stealth doublet, in the trees, or for DX, a vertical
dipole in the trees for the high bands. Inside the attic you might get a
"droopy loop" from the peak of the gable down to attic floor level, and
around the largest enclosed square or rectangular area you can manage.
On the web are write ups on modeling various Attic Loop antennas including
the droopy loop. Check those out for ideas.
Unless a downspout approaches an electrical quarter wave length at least it
will have a poor pattern as a vertical antenna for DX. In any case, it
would have to be operated against earth ground, using 16 radials at least,
but it would favor the direction away from the house, (along the radials).
Use that height of the peak of the house, or any trees you have and you will
be amazed at the improved working of a true antenna.
73,
Stuart
K5KVH
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