VHF Air Antenna heading for the roof!

[02blackss]

So I made the decision to put my DPD VHF Air Antenna up on the roof and have already ordered my 90 Feet of LMR 400 cable. This should compliment the Airnav Radarbox nicely. Once I get it all setup I will consider doing the Audio Feed. I am direct line up sight to the South Tower at YYZ, so I anticipate it will be CLEAR.

Should be interesting to see what else I will pick up with that antenna up there.......

Jason

[exkalibur]

Very good decision =)

The antennas for the controllers aren't actually on the towers however. They're located in 2 "clumps" - one for TX and one for RX. They're to the west of the airport property.

pearson airport - Google Maps and pearson airport - Google Maps

[02blackss]

Originally Posted by exkalibur

Very good decision =)

The antennas for the controllers aren't actually on the towers however. They're located in 2 "clumps" - one for TX and one for RX. They're to the west of the airport property.

pearson airport - Google Maps and pearson airport - Google Maps

Thanks for the google maps co-ordinates......That tower is only a few km's away from me actually, west end is good for me at least......

[Forts]

I wonder how many Fleetnet sites you will be able to pick up with that setup! Not to mention VHF stuff out of NY state.

[02blackss]

Originally Posted by Forts

I wonder how many Fleetnet sites you will be able to pick up with that setup! Not to mention VHF stuff out of NY state.

I know when I tested my DPD ADS-B antenna 1090 Mhz, I briefly had it hooked up to my BCT15, and I was pulling in State College Pennsylvania National weather service, as well as Rochester like it was broadcasting from the CN tower....should be interesting. I was also getting the Air Canada System at YYZ quite clear.....

[02blackss]

Wayyyy up, 115FT, 36 Meters

So, tonight I completed the DPD Air Antenna install on the roof beside the ADS-B Antenna. I have to tell ya, every single frequency I can check is coming in at a full 5 bars, crystal clear. Toronto North/South Tower, ATIS, departure, arrival, ground, clearance delivery, apron etc. Also, the planes on the ground now sound like they are up in the sky. Crystal clear. As an added bonus, im getting Toronto Island tower with 4 bars on the signal meter and Downsview with 3 bars.....I tested the WX frequencies and I am pulling in state college in pennsylvania like its right next door..
Enjoy the pics!



DSC_0758 by CYYZGUY, on Flickr


DSC_0756 by CYYZGUY, on Flickr


DSC_0757 by CYYZGUY, on Flickr


DSC_0752 by CYYZGUY, on Flickr


DSC_0753 by CYYZGUY, on Flickr


DSC_0759 by CYYZGUY, on Flickr

[DaveNF2G]

Excellent photos of a great install.

Do you know what the antenna array to the left of the second picture is?

[evfd1625]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.0.4; en-us; DROID RAZR 4G Build/6.7.2-180_DHD-16_M4-31) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/534.30)

Off topic slightly, what does one of the Airnav boxes and system cost?

[pathalogical]

That looks great ! They look like they are part of the building, no one would know that they are for personal use.

[02blackss]

Originally Posted by DaveNF2G

Excellent photos of a great install.

Do you know what the antenna array to the left of the second picture is?

From what I can see it is just an old TV antenna from back in the day when our channels were broadcasting over analog. It can still be used today for Digital too, but most buildings have arrangements with the cable/satellite providers and have disconnected the feed.

[Command30]

Originally Posted by 02blackss

I am direct line up sight to the South Tower at YYZ, so I anticipate it will be CLEAR.

Surprised this hasn't been clarified yet, but there's only one tower at Pearson. The one visible in your pictures is actually the T1 Apron Management Unit.

[bigcam406]

just wondering,how did you get permission to install something like that?usually landlords or building owners balk at stuff like that.nice job by the way.

[Chrome69]

I'm so F**king Jealous.. Excellent work.....

[02blackss]

Originally Posted by bigcam406

just wondering,how did you get permission to install something like that?usually landlords or building owners balk at stuff like that.nice job by the way.

The landlord here is a really cool guy, plus I buy him beer and fix his computer problems for him. It's a win/win situation.

I might even try to put my Diamond Discone up there next..............

[bigcam406]

great to have a landlord like that.

[ATCTech]

You should stop by CTC or NAPA and get some proper double-ended clamps. Those cheap hose clamps aren't going to hold very well in strong winds. And whats with all the tie wraps? They aren't doing anything towards lessening the effect of wind load.

[02blackss]

Originally Posted by ATCTech

You should stop by CTC or NAPA and get some proper double-ended clamps. Those cheap hose clamps aren't going to hold very well in strong winds. And whats with all the tie wraps? They aren't doing anything towards lessening the effect of wind load.

Those Hose Clamps will do just fine. As a matter of fact, the maker of the Antenna, DPD productions ships the antenna's with hose clamps as well, exactly the same thing I am using. I performed a "bend test" on both of those antenna's and there would have to be extended hurricane force winds to blow them down... As for the tie straps, I just had them laying around and figured a little extra clamping strength wont hurt..................
Alot of other members have have examined those pictures up and down, left and right, provided some good feedback too, and none of them commented on the hose clamps being inadequate. I will go up there in a few months time to do an inspection, but I anticipate no problems.....

For now, I am enjoying crystal clear communications on all CYYZ frequencies.

Jason

[Lexxx]

Got to agree with ATCTech. I have access to advice from Nav Canada techs, and although I opted for an antenna in my attic, they guided me through what was required for an outside installation.

You'll be lucky to make it through the winter with plastic "tie wraps" and cheap hose clamps.

Be a terrible shame to lose your equipment after all the work you've put into it.

Good luck

Peter
Live Waterloo Region Air Traffic Control, Police and EMS

[KSDeputy]

I am putting up a weather station. I will have to secure a larger pipe, to a smaller one on my tower standoff in order to mount the station. I am trying to decide between hose clamps and u bolts to do it with.This thread gave me lots of information, and I decided to use u bolts. Thank you guys for helping me make the choice.

[ATCTech]

Originally Posted by Lexxx

Got to agree with ATCTech. I have access to advice from Nav Canada techs, and although I opted for an antenna in my attic, they guided me through what was required for an outside installation.


Live Waterloo Region Air Traffic Control, Police and EMS

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. MUCH better to overdo it than suffer the consequences of repairing it in the worst possible weather... as for the tie wraps, they aren't going to help a bit 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.