A friend of mine uses a SignaLink. He loves it. He said it's so much simpler to connect than trying to use the sound card.
I'm really just getting started with antennas. The EFHW is a good start for me, because I'm dealing with CC&R's plus WAF.
Luckily I have a two story house with a steep pitch roof, and a wood framed chimney that's on the back side of the house. I'm thinking I can put up a 40-10 vertical and you won't even be able to see anything but the tip from the street. Plus, I'm going to get my friend over to hold the bottom of the ladder, and I think I can get the middle of the EFHW up to almost 30'. Every little bit helps!