Guys as some of you know I am trying to get my base setup to be very efficient.....what a headache.
Right now my antenna is on a 30' pole attached to a bare utility pole ( I am in a Valley so I know I need to go higher)
here is some of the options I have.....
1. Move antenna to a tree and try to get it in the top of it .....I have the tree picked out just need to try and find someone to climb it lol
it will raise the base of the antenna to at least 65-70' , Coax run here will be 100' or so.( this tree is near my power drop line coming in the house , however I will be above this 40' or so to the base of antenna....will this be a problem?)
2. Move antenna to the top of the Mountain behind the house ......total length not to exceed 500' ....Raise antenna 300' higher than currently at.
I have estimated coax will cost me at least $1000.00 to get LMR900
Even with that coax I will have significant loss
3. Move antenna up on the hill but not to the top ....total length of coax will not exceed 250'...it will raise Antenna 100 -150' higher...coax will be a little cheaper estimate coax cost 250.00 will still have significant loss.
As you can see I am sorta stumped.....I have thought of taking option 1 and then taking the $ I saved and by a amp and hope I get out like I want too .....The ideal thing would be top of mountain and a big amp....but wow I dint want to have to take a loan out for this project.
I dint want to do anything I will regret, I would hate to go through the trouble of putting this thing up again and then not be happy with it.
Coax .....what to do what to do
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1. Move antenna to a tree and try to get it in the top of it .....I have the tree picked out just need to try and find someone to climb it lol
it will raise the base of the antenna to at least 65-70' , Coax run here will be 100' or so.( this tree is near my power drop line coming in the house , however I will be above this 40' or so to the base of antenna....will this be a problem?)
NOPE WILL NOT BE A PROPLEM AS LONG AS YOUR OVER ANY POWER WIRE'S IF YOU WERE HERE I COULD CLIME THE TREE FOR YA . USE TO BE A TREE CLIMER :Peace!:
it will raise the base of the antenna to at least 65-70' , Coax run here will be 100' or so.( this tree is near my power drop line coming in the house , however I will be above this 40' or so to the base of antenna....will this be a problem?)
NOPE WILL NOT BE A PROPLEM AS LONG AS YOUR OVER ANY POWER WIRE'S IF YOU WERE HERE I COULD CLIME THE TREE FOR YA . USE TO BE A TREE CLIMER :Peace!:
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I vote for top of the tree...for now anyway. Make sure you can get the antenna above it though. Some trees act as somewhat of a sponge believe it or not. Mine was in a Douglas Fir...which is one of the worst. The first 10-12 feet of the antenna was right by the tree (inches away), and when I finally got it above it totally there was a noticable difference in the direction of the tree (if that makes any sense).
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One more quick question, How often do you hear about lightning striking antennas in trees ....the tree I have in mind would be real close at hitting my house if it ever fell...
I wouldn't care if it demolished the house but I am worried someone may get hurt if it falls.....see I have so many questions lol
I wouldn't care if it demolished the house but I am worried someone may get hurt if it falls.....see I have so many questions lol-
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What we used to do in Florida (daily thunder/lightning storms) is make sure the antenna is grounded well...along with the support system (i.e. masting, tower, etc.). We also made sure we unplugged the coax from the last item out of the radio room. Pain in the neck, but helps. There is no 100% guarantee of anything when it comes to lightning. Period.
IMO it would take a direct hit at the base of the tree to bring it down (or at least most trees). I've seen lots of trees get hit, and typically it just fries them...literally
. But like I say, anything is possible with lightning IMO.
IMO it would take a direct hit at the base of the tree to bring it down (or at least most trees). I've seen lots of trees get hit, and typically it just fries them...literally
. But like I say, anything is possible with lightning IMO.-
SmallTruckBigRadio
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Nah...not that I know of. I never knew anyone who used that. And there are things you can do to remind you to reconnect. Some guys used switch boxes, and would locate them right next to their power supplies, or some other device they had to turn on, some would simply have a routine (like me). Opening that circuit though helps reduce the possibility of lightning coming in through the coax though...but no guarantees. I've heard of lighting shooting across the room from the open PL-259 connection(s). I was running my beam, so I simply disconnected the PL-259 at the switch box. Worked great for me.SmallTruckBigRadio wrote:
Are the inline lightning protectors helpful?
I'd be scared to key up after forgetting to re-connect.
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Well guys I finally had some good luck I saw one of my buddies that work for a power line company and I asked him if he would climb a tree for me to put the antenna in , He said he wouldn't climb a tree but knew a guy he could get to do it tomorrow, He said if that guy couldn't do it he would get a bucket truck from his work and do it in a week or so. So either way I will have my antenna way up in the tree ......
I saw one of my buddies that work for a power line company and I asked him if he would climb a tree for me to put the antenna in , He said he wouldn't climb a tree but knew a guy he could get to do it tomorrow, He said if that guy couldn't do it he would get a bucket truck from his work and do it in a week or so. So either way I will have my antenna way up in the tree ......-
Phaze91460
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Yea, that's great HD! Hopefully you'll see a noticable difference (I think you will). The only concern (I can think of) is if you have a problem, then what? I mean a few months from now or something. Not to rain on your parade, but it's something I tend to think of. The tree I had my Antron in even a fat boy like me was able to climb it. And I'm one of those afraid of heights, too. :shocked:
I guess all I'm saying is that make sure you have some support in place for removal if needed. Never know when some squirrel will chew through your coax.
I look forward to hearing how it went, too!
Hopefully you'll see a noticable difference (I think you will). The only concern (I can think of) is if you have a problem, then what? I mean a few months from now or something. Not to rain on your parade, but it's something I tend to think of. The tree I had my Antron in even a fat boy like me was able to climb it. And I'm one of those afraid of heights, too. :shocked: I guess all I'm saying is that make sure you have some support in place for removal if needed. Never know when some squirrel will chew through your coax.
I look forward to hearing how it went, too!
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nah i am alright....just a few more days....just a few more days...... -
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