Outdoor Antenna's

qjschum · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2013, 3:51 AM

I am interested in building an outdoor antenna, Possibly a 50ft antenna, What could I use to build the structure and what type of antenna should I use,

krokus · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2013, 4:44 AM

That depends on what you want to listen to.

dmg1969 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2013, 6:06 AM

I'm sure that a moderator will move this to one of these two locations, which would be more appropriate for your question.

Scanner / Receiver Antennas - The RadioReference.com Forums

Build Your Own Antenna - The RadioReference.com Forums

fredva · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2013, 10:31 AM

Until your question gets moved - I'm thinking you'll most likely need to purchase and assemble a tower for that kind of height. And you'll need to have very good lightning protection. But there are others with more knowledge on the subject than me.

mainetrunk · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2013, 1:41 PM

I -just- put up a skyband on top of a Radio Shack 10 foot pole. It's pretty good. My pro 197 gets T-UHF better than VHF. I have to put the attenuator to use on VHF now. If you wanna go up top of a roof, be prepared for wind. I did, then it sleeted out for 20 minutes. Point is--whatever you get, make sure it's what you want. It's a pain in the neck going back up to adjust anything. I also have a Ferret up there opposite of the skyband. $300.00 for that stick, works great. But, as I said. " It's a real pain to work on a roof." Noone I know has the coconuts to do what I just did. All the brave souls that go work on towers has my upmost respect. And yes I used safety lines. 15 years ago I would not have, but time and experience taught me to be very-very careful.. Good luck, be safe!!

KC8ESL · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2013, 2:08 PM

Mainetrunk:
"If you wanna go up top of a roof, be prepared for wind. I did, then it sleeted out for 20 minutes. "

The performance of an antenna is inversely proportional to how nice the weather is. Every antenna I've installed on fair to nice days work fairly or junky. The antennas I put up in advance of a thunderstorm, in a snow squall, or a rainy afternoon prove to be the best performers throughout their lifecycle.

reconrider8 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2013, 2:11 PM

lol im in the long process of building me a tower off a pole i already have at my house. the light pole is up about 14' and im going to throw up 21 feet on top of that for a height of around 30 feet but i went ahead and bought me a set of mounts so that if/when i need to do service or add to it that i can just hopefully take the pole down someway and do what needs to be done to it from the ground.

cronst10 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2013, 4:45 PM

Check out the Tavern posts, Do it yourself section, Tilt over mast build, some good info and pics.

felixmtt · #9 (**permalink**) 04-15-2013, 2:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qjschum

I am interested in building an outdoor antenna, Possibly a 50ft antenna, What could I use to build the structure and what type of antenna should I use,

Well the idea sounds good, but I guess you can try out with 45ft or 48ft rather then 50ft. Actually a height less then 50ft works out perfectly. I also advice you to use aluminum or copper which would give stability and also good in terms of wind flow.

I also suggest you should take special care at the joints. You can refer few

How to Build an Antenna

DIY FM Broadcast Receiving Antenna | eHow.com

Antennas, Masts and Towers - Army Technology