Balcony Rail Mast

[Choirboy]

I finally gave up on Double Bazookas, rail mounted 102" whips, etc., and built a mast for my balcony railing (thanks for all the suggestions from forum members!)

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I put two ring bolts on the railing (to be painted black for stealth) and got two lengths of 1/2" EMT with a compression coupling to hold them together. The eye bolts and mast are angled out a few degrees to clear the 1' eaves. I can put it up and take it down in less than a minute. Total cost: $12.00 :D

I already have 50' of RG-58/U coax - now all I need is an antenna. I'll probably get a Saturn, because I don't think it would be structurally safe to use an A-99 or anything real tall without guy wires. After all, the whole intent of this setup is ease of deployment after hours when the apartment management is not looking!

[BigBopper]

man thats a good idea!!!

[Ashton]

You were almost there with the bazooka it would have been better to finish it. It works good and for a apartment it can be left up 24-7 without worry. plus you already paid for it.

I finally gave up on Double Bazookas, rail mounted 102" whips, etc., and built a mast for my balcony railing (thanks for all the suggestions from forum members!)

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I put two ring bolts on the railing (to be painted black for stealth) and got two lengths of 1/2" EMT with a compression coupling to hold them together. The eye bolts and mast are angled out a few degrees to clear the 1' eaves. I can put it up and take it down in less than a minute. Total cost: $12.00 :D

I already have 50' of RG-58/U coax - now all I need is an antenna. I'll probably get a Saturn, because I don't think it would be structurally safe to use an A-99 or anything real tall without guy wires. After all, the whole intent of this setup is ease of deployment after hours when the apartment management is not looking!

[Choirboy]

I called Sparky's today and ordered a Saturn. Unfortunately, he called back a few minutes later and said that they are nowhere to be found. So, he suggested I buy the Tram 1499 that I saw at a local ham shop....

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I set it up on the 16' mast as shown....

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I'd like to get it higher, but I'm at the limit of the safe(?) structural rigidity of the mast as it is. Any higher, and it would be difficult to put up and take down (this is a part-time, "stealth" rig).

SWRs come out to:
Channel 1 - 1.3:1
Channel 20 - 1.4:1
Channel 40 - 1.5:1

The radio lights still dim and the meter needle still pegs when I key up (I don't know what's up with that), but at least I got my first response to a radio check this evening :D !

If anyone has any ideas on how to improve the rig or the SWRs, chime in!

Thanks again, y'all, for all your help!

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

Wow choirboy!

That's a fantastic idea!

Have you tried "tuning" the antenna yet? I think that antenna has "tuning rings" of some sort.

Even with SWR at 1.5, you should be getting great distance at that height.

If the meter on your CB is slamming to the right, while in normal TX mode, and not in SWR mode, it may simply be showing high power output. If its slamming, and your getting good audio reports, and TX range...just keep on slammin'!

If you have not "tuned" the antenna yet, and it is tunable, look into that, and expect nice improvement on SWR's.

[Choirboy]

I don't think the antenna is tunable.

I'm using a 50' RG-58/U coax from Radio Sh**k. Al at Sparky's told me that the optimum coax length for this antenna would be in multiples of 3', so I may either shorten the coax or buy better cable (RG-213?) and make it myself.

Interestingly enough, on SSB the S/RF meter reading is flat on keying the mic and swings fully to the right when I am speaking. On AM, the needle pegs upon keying the mic. Would I be correct by assuming that the guy that tuned the radio set the dead key too high on AM?

Thanks again, y'all!

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

I don't think the antenna is tunable.

I'm using a 50' RG-58/U coax from Radio Sh**k. Al at Sparky's told me that the optimum coax length for this antenna would be in multiples of 3', so I may either shorten the coax or buy better cable (RG-213?) and make it myself.

Interestingly enough, on SSB the S/RF meter reading is flat on keying the mic and swings fully to the right when I am speaking. On AM, the needle pegs upon keying the mic. Would I be correct by assuming that the guy that tuned the radio set the dead key too high on AM?

Thanks again, y'all!

I'm using a 50' RG-58/U coax from Radio Sh**k.
That's allota coax...

(RG-213?) and make it myself.
That's some big cable for your temporary setup. RG-8X (Mini-8) is probably the biggest stuff you'll want to handle.
Would I be correct by assuming that the guy that tuned the radio set the dead key too high on AM?
You'll need an external SWR / power meter to check that. You may not have a problem at all. I'd check that before doing much more. You may be in better shape with your antenna than you think.

SWR of 1.5, with 50ft of RG-58 actually sounds pretty good to me. Are you getting good range and audio reports?

Does this sound like your antenna?
TRAM-Fiber Glass Omnidirectional CB BASE ANTENNA Model 1498
$69.95 FEATURES:Durable construction withstands 90 miles winds
Insulated conductor, less interference from rain, sleet or snow
External tuning rings for easy tuning at any frequency
range
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Check the picture at this site. Does yours have tuning rings like the picture?

[Choirboy]

I think I'm gonna try cutting the coax down to the length that I actually need (in a multiple of 3', probably 36'). Radio Shack has solderless UHF connectors.

The antenna I have is actually the Tram 1499, which is the bottom one shown on the web page you sent (it doesn't have tuning rings).

I'm definitely getting some RF interference on my scanner, and my touch-base lamp still turns on and off when I key the mic . I'm hoping that, by cutting the coax down, I can eliminate that (I don't care, but I'm worried about my neighbors). Would the RG-8X be better for avoiding interference?

On to the next experiment....

Thanks!

[HI-TECH]

I think I'm gonna try cutting the coax down to the length that I actually need (in a multiple of 3', probably 36'). Radio Shack has solderless UHF connectors.

The antenna I have is actually the Tram 1499, which is the bottom one shown on the web page you sent (it doesn't have tuning rings).

I'm definitely getting some RF interference on my scanner, and my touch-base lamp still turns on and off when I key the mic . I'm hoping that, by cutting the coax down, I can eliminate that (I don't care, but I'm worried about my neighbors). Would the RG-8X be better for avoiding interference?

On to the next experiment....

Thanks!

dont do the muiltiple of three coax thing... its a hype of crap and only fools your swr meter. go get some RF chokes like the ones found on old computer monitors and run about 3 of thouse on your coax and get some chokes to run to the major stuff so the wify dost get mad like the teliphone and tv. most tvi is caused by imporoper grounding becouse the RF is reaching out and looking to find something to ground to i.e. every electronic device with a speeker so it seems lol. and i know where you can get the saturns for 22 bucks but you have to spend over 25 bucks for an order thow... buts its worth it thay have lots and lots of cool stuff anyways.. i went there for an antenna and ended up buying $147 worth of stuff lol

[Rex_foxhound]

I would check and see what it would cost to get the length of RG8x that you'll need. It's better to get it made than to try and make it yourself, unless your extremely good at it. --- Sponsers

[Falkon MX-5]

When you deadkey on AM, you're sending a carrier. That's what the dead key is. SSB doesn't transmit a carrier, so no dead key.

I don't think the antenna is tunable.

I'm using a 50' RG-58/U coax from Radio Sh**k. Al at Sparky's told me that the optimum coax length for this antenna would be in multiples of 3', so I may either shorten the coax or buy better cable (RG-213?) and make it myself.

Interestingly enough, on SSB the S/RF meter reading is flat on keying the mic and swings fully to the right when I am speaking. On AM, the needle pegs upon keying the mic. Would I be correct by assuming that the guy that tuned the radio set the dead key too high on AM?

Thanks again, y'all!

[BigBopper]

Multiplies of 3' is the way we use to tune a Steel whip antenna, like a 102",,and it works for antennas that can't be tuned

[Choirboy]

I ordered a 45' RG-8X cable from Sparky's today. He said that the Radio Shack RG-58 is very leaky, and I'm certainly seeing evidence of that! I noticed that RG-8X is what came with my Wilson 5000.

[Rex_foxhound]

Good choice Choirboy. Hopefully that will help and yes that's what comes with the Wilson 5000, although that's what hinders it from reaching its maximum wattage but thats another story for another time...

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

You might have to do what Hi-Tech is talking about...filters

I am suspicious of non-tunable antennas.

I am still worried that you have not checked things with an external SWR / Power meter.

[Choirboy]

Where can I get these RF chokes? I can put them on my own coax, but my neighbors are beyond my help. I'm only running a tuned Cobra, so I can't imagine I'm causing too many problems....

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

Where can I get these RF chokes? I can put them on my own coax, but my neighbors are beyond my help. I'm only running a tuned Cobra, so I can't imagine I'm causing too many problems....

Don't count the neighbors out. They can make "heap big trouble" for you. I played with my peaked and tuned Cobra 25 as a temporary base, and it played hell on my home electronics. My 300 watt mobile affects some electronics from well over 50 feet away, 1 report was that I was rattling a weak FM station from 1/4 mile away. Your neighbors may be beyond help in other ways, but if your system jacks with their electronics, you will soon be a target. Check for interferance yourself with AM / FM radios, and a cordless phone.

The only chokes that I know of are over $50.00, and may not be justifiable for you yet. I'd wait till Wednesday. My crystal ball tells me that Wednesday will be different for you.

If there are less expensive filtering methods, I'm sure the guys will let you know.

You made a brief mention of solderless coax connectors. I recommend against them. Soldered coax connectors are definately worth the trouble, even if you must pay someone to do it for you. Solder is your friend. If you are using solderless connectors now...your mission...should you choose to avoid a pain in the neck...is to get soldered connectors in place.

Have you tried checking your range on channels other than #19? On ch19, if the drivers can tell that you are not a driver, they may simply ignore you. They may be able to tell, because most drivers do not sing in choirs, and I don't think your radio has "trucker echo". If drivers in your area are busy negotiating thick traffic, and curves, they may just be less willing to chat.
While surfing other channels, simply transmitting "I'm trying to get this radio set up, can anybody hear me?" May find you someone willing to give honest feedback. Never give your exact location, only a location that you are near.

[Choirboy]

Latest improvements....

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I ran guy wires (still need to cut off the excess) and put a brace on the top of the arch. The top of the mast is very solid. The only weakness might be away from the balcony, but it would take a very strong North wind to blow it down in that direction.

I hope that current and future forum members in need of a similar setup will learn and benefit from my efforts!

I'm still getting a lot of RF interference in my apartment (computer speakers, clock radio, scanner, handheld CB, touch-base lamp, etc.), but I talked to my neighbor across the yard this evening and he reported no problems. He did ask me what the h**l I was building on my balcony, though! Evidently, my building was constructed with some kind of building material that contains a thin metallic film, which is why none of my indoor antenna schemes worked, so I'm hoping that any stray RF coming off the radio or the coax is contained inside the apartment.

After searching Google about how to solder PL-239s and finding out how critical it is, I gave that up. I got a 45' RG-8X with Amphenols from Sparky's.

I did talk to a guy briefly last evening who was about 20 miles away, and that using the Saturn....

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

20 miles away, barefoot, with a Cobra? Somethings gotta be working right.

By late next week, if your still having interferance problems, It will be time to start researching in line filters.