Mobile home stealth antenna

[Avix]

I fly the Stars and Stripes and the MIA/POW flag 24/7 with a light on. I've seen some pole attachment kits around while looking at radios and antennas and drooling. I just need one more antenna for the truck, and the vehicles will be rigged for scanner and amateur.
Avix.

 

[Avix]

I'm still waiting on word from management on what I can do, but I am brainstorming 3 basic scenarios. Bare minimum. Dipole running along the long edge of the roof and settle for one band. Maximum stealth. NMO on a metal ground plane on a wooden platform directly on the roof and painted to blend in. I'm hoping for dual-band. Stealthy. Best would be about 20 feet of 2 inch PVC pole mounted onto the side, painted to match the trees out back. Would it be best to mount the pole towards the back (South end right up against the berm but closest to the trees) or on the north end furthest from the trees, which would limit the paint matching the trees to a degree? Any comments to my wild guesses would be appreciated. I'm hoping for dual-band, and I wouldn't mind an antenna for a scanner in the deal somewhere.
Scotty AKA Avix.

 

[mmckenna]

I'm still waiting on word from management on what I can do, but I am brainstorming 3 basic scenarios. Bare minimum. Dipole running along the long edge of the roof and settle for one band.

The dipole antenna up against the metal siding/frame will be an issue if you plan on transmitting. RX use it'll be directional.

Maximum stealth. NMO on a metal ground plane on a wooden platform directly on the roof and painted to blend in. I'm hoping for dual-band. Stealthy.

Stealthy/Sneaky, whatever you want to call it, sometimes it's easier to ask forgiveness than ask permission. In other words, putting that setup on your roof on the far end from the street will probably go unnoticed. You have to be pretty close to a thin mobile whip antenna to see it.

Best would be about 20 feet of 2 inch PVC pole mounted onto the side, painted to match the trees out back. Would it be best to mount the pole towards the back (South end right up against the berm but closest to the trees) or on the north end furthest from the trees, which would limit the paint matching the trees to a degree? Any comments to my wild guesses would be appreciated. I'm hoping for dual-band, and I wouldn't mind an antenna for a scanner in the deal somewhere.
Scotty AKA Avix.

PVC pipe will flop around. You can get some thicker wall PVC pipe, "schedule 80" will have a thicker wall, but it's still not a good structural support for anything. Usually it looks good for a while, then it starts to sag/bend and people will take notice. Steel fence top pipe is a good option, and you can always sleeve it with PVC if you want to use that.

 

[Avix]

"The dipole antenna up against the metal siding/frame will be an issue if you plan on transmitting. RX use it'll be directional."

That is very useful advice, mmckenna. Thank you. I still haven't heard back from management. I'll give them until Wednesday.

"Stealthy/Sneaky, whatever you want to call it, sometimes it's easier to ask forgiveness than ask permission. In other words, putting that setup on your roof on the far end from the street will probably go unnoticed. You have to be pretty close to a thin mobile whip antenna to see it."

Legally. Silence means acquaintance. If I don't hear, I'll just proceed with something on a pipe. Most likely a whip antenna after I learn some more about antennas or my mentor gives me some advice.

"PVC pipe will flop around. You can get some thicker wall PVC pipe, "schedule 80" will have a thicker wall, but it's still not a good structural support for anything. Usually it looks good for a while, then it starts to sag/bend and people will take notice. Steel fence top pipe is a good option, and you can always sleeve it with PVC if you want to use that."

That answers my next question, lol. I'm guessing a 20-foot length with maybe 5 feet attached against the top side where the trees are closest. I'm looking at antennas V budget. My new HT should arrive today and I'll be working on that. I'll be talking to my handyman about erecting it when I get the actual antenna. I have a friend who's done wiring for about 40 years. I can get top grade coax through him for his cost and he will help me rig it.
Avix AKA Scotty

 

[mmckenna]

That answers my next question, lol. I'm guessing a 20-foot length with maybe 5 feet attached against the top side where the trees are closest. I'm looking at antennas V budget. My new HT should arrive today and I'll be working on that. I'll be talking to my handyman about erecting it when I get the actual antenna. I have a friend who's done wiring for about 40 years. I can get top grade coax through him for his cost and he will help me rig it.
Avix AKA Scotty

15' of PVC isn't going to work well. Go with 20' steel fence top post. Hobbyists often use that for supporting a small antenna. If you anchor the base well and attach it to the roof, you'll probably be OK with a small vertical VHF/UHF antenna.

Make sure the antenna mast is properly grounded to the same ground rod as your home. Use a coax entrance protector where the coax enters your home, and that gets grounded to the same place as your mast. That'll put your right with the national electric code and generally keep things safe and happy.

Make sure your friend understands the difference between 75Ω coaxial cable used for TV/cable TV/satellite antennas and the type used for two way radio. Different stuff, different connectors. If he knows that you should be good.

 

[Avix]

Thanks for all the help guys, but I'm afraid this is the end of my amateur radio journey. Due to my memory problems, I'll never pass the technician test. There is just no way. I can't remember most of what they want, and anything involving electronics or antenna math is simply beyond me. After 25 runs though hamstudy.org, my highest score was 18. It's become obvious it will just be frustrating failures time and again. Again. Thanks for all your help. It was fun while it lasted.
Scotty.