VHF Air Antenna heading for the roof!

[02blackss]

Originally Posted by ATCTech

Peter, if you look at my user name you might just figure out where I work... <G>

Jason, they'd supply bubble gum to hold it on the pole if it cut the cost. MUCH better to overdo it than suffer the consequences of repairing in the worst possible weather... as for the tie wraps, they aren't going to help a but if the clamps loosen or crack, I hope you used more than sheet metal screws to hold the brackets to that metal housing as well, otherwise you have another weak point waiting to fail. Please don't take offence to what I'm suggesting, I've been at this over 30 years and I've seen a lot of stuff snap, crack and fall that was a whole lot more secure looking.

I do appreciate the advice and no offence taken!!!!!!!!!!!

As for the metal straps, I used actual Metal self tapping screws (not roofing ones), decent size too, plus the steel on those exhaust vents is 1965 steel.....THICK and heavy. I probably used used 5 straps on the metal pole itself. I will check out those pipe clamps at canadian tire....are those the ones they sell in the auto section for doing muffler repairs etc?

The only reason I was happy with the pipe clamps is that I had both of those antenna's you see, installed againt my balcony railing for almost 2 years now, and believe me, some of the wind that whips around those balconies is brutal, and they survived.......I just figured it was enough.....I can go back up on the roof anytime, so I will just pick up some of those clamps and do it..

[ATCTech]

Glad to help. I honestly believe in "over engineering" versus using the supplied consumer-grade stuff when-ever and where-ever practical. For example, my Diamond (Icom) discone has been perched 30' in the air since 1990. It's still as good as new, thankfully, as there are 3 other antennas below it. Repairing it is not something I look forward too. <G>

I have a 10' 900 MHz fiberglass omni mounted 30' up with the clamps I'm suggesting you use as well. It too is atop 2 other antennas on a second tower here at home and has been there since 2002, also in the same condition as when it was installed. When you have the luxury of such comfortable working conditions and clearly don't want to cause any doubts in the property manager/super's eyes going forward, do it once and do it right is how I would approach things.

[DPD1]

Originally Posted by ATCTech

Peter, if you look at my user name you might just figure out where I work... <G> (PM me with the names of who you know out there... I'll know them for sure!)

Jason, they'd supply bubble gum to hold it on the pole if it cut the cost.

Actually, we did try gum, but everybody argued over the flavor we used, so we went back to the clamps.

The actual clamps we include have rubber over them. If they've failed in the last 6 years, nobody has told me about it. Can you use something stronger? Of course you can. There's always something stronger. However, people whine about prices as it is, and any quality stainless hardware would significantly raise the price. So clamps it is.

[ATCTech]

Hehe... if you'd gone with Double Bubble you'd have twice the strength, no? <G>

I hear you on the cost factor for sure, but I'd also hate to see Jason lose his 'roof privileges' should something fail. As the manufacturer if you guys feel the clamps are fine then by all means leave them. I just thought it looked a little dicey.

[Lexxx]

Originally Posted by 02blackss

....................The only reason I was happy with the pipe clamps is that I had both of those antenna's you see, installed againt my balcony railing for almost 2 years now, and believe me, some of the wind that whips around those balconies is brutal, and they survived.......

What’s that saying? You get what you pay for?

Now the pipe clamps pictured below are used to make a 90 degree pipe connection, and are probably not what you need, but they give you a good indication of the type of hardware available for a reliable installation.

Think about what you are using. The weakest point of those clamps are those tiny little strips of metal used to make the teeth for the screw clamp. Don’t know about you, but I have no trouble stripping those clamps if I happen to over tighten that screw.

Think about the strength of those clamp teeth compared to the strength of the clamps below. Those are the two extremes in clamp strength. Is there a middle ground somewhere for a hobbyist? You bet. My suggestion is visit any hardware store and find some beefy U clamp of some sort if you find the type below a little overkill.

You get whet you pay for.

Looking forward to hearing your yyz stream.

Peter
Live Air Traffic Control ATC Streaming ATC Air traffic control

[02blackss]

Thanks for the Pics, that gives me a great idea...I will check out canadian tire and see what I can find. I just do not seem to recall seeing that kinda hardware there. Maybe Home Depot.........

[02blackss]

So I just made some major improvements to how my antenna's are secured this evening...thanks to the advice of some members here. I added 3 U Shank bolts to each antenna/mast. Where any free space was left, I added more pipe clamps just for the hell of it. I also added more metal strapping to the mast securing it to the vent as in my previous pics.....It is not going anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ATCTech]

From one extreme to the other! They won't move now for sure now. FYI, that 900 MHz omni I mentioned the other day is considerably longer and heavier than yours and two clamps are all it needs....