Whats better?

[NipplesTheCat]

Mounting my antenna on the side of the roof a couple of feet away from the base of my chimney (will it block reception?), or moutnting it in my attic in the peak of the roof? The attic location would put the antenna maybe a foot or two higher up but its indoors. The roof mount is maybe a foot or two lower and one side is close to the chimney but its outside. Whats better?

 

[kc8zdf]

Well if you can I would do a chimney mount. The run antenna mast from the chimney mount above the chimney so the antenna is open to all directions if you can. But if you can't then either way you said would have its positives and negitives.

 

[NipplesTheCat]

I just dont know if I can get it up on the chimney or not. Neighborhood Association rules. Im breaking the rules as it is. Im just hoping that the antenna is so small that nobody will notice. Ill have to go out and take a look in a little bit. Would it even make enough of a difference to bother mounting it on the chimney?

 

[holeinace]

how big of an antenna are we talking about? If it is an 800mhz antenna, ou could put it on the roof right next to a vent. That way you could run the coax hrough the vent and the small antenna would not be noticable (black antenna against black roof vent)

 

[NipplesTheCat]

Its just the little rs 20-176. Its about 20" tall with 3 radials that are probably close tp the same length. Im thinking I may get away with mounting it just above the chimney. As long as I dont prune the tree blocking the view from most angles. Should I use RG-6 cable?

 

[KF4ZTO]

RG-6 cable is a standard 75 ohm cable and broadcast TV cable. I would recommend a 50 ohm coax cable designed for two-way radio applications. RG-58 is the type generally used by most scanner and VHF ham radio applications, but I would recommend using RG-8X coax, which provides lower loss at higher (UHF and 800MHz) frequencies without being too bulky. Ideally, RG-8 would be used...but for your application, 8X would probably work excellent.

 

[K8PBX]

RG-6 would be my choice. It has less loss than RG-8X and RG-58.
75 Ohm vs. 50 Ohm impedance won't present a perceptible difference for receive applications...
See the chart HERE.

 

[NipplesTheCat]

So is that Terk RG-6 that radio shack sells total garbage? Im thinking about going to Standard Electric Supply in Lansing and asking them if they have any quality RG-6. While im there I figure I can get that and some 8 gauge copper wire to ground the antenna for a lot cheaper than I could get it at rad shack.

 

[K8PBX]

So is that Terk RG-6 that radio shack sells total garbage? Im thinking about going to Standard Electric Supply in Lansing and asking them if they have any quality RG-6. While im there I figure I can get that and some 8 gauge copper wire to ground the antenna for a lot cheaper than I could get it at rad shack.

You'll probably get better quality and pricing from the supply house. Make sure that you get outdoor rated cable and if possible, stick with a name brand. I like the Belden stuff best. The supply house should be able to hook you up with the right connectors and tools you'll need as well. If your budget allows, I'd suggest using Snap 'n Seal type connectors versus crimp type.

 

[NipplesTheCat]

Whats the story on the snap and seal?

kc8lwg

 

[K8PBX]

It's installed using compression versus crimp, making for a 100% waterproof seal. It has a little rubber O ring at the back end that gets seated into the rear of the connector to make the seal. Most CATV companies are using them today and they install quick and easy - once you have the right tools (coax stripper, compression tool). I use them across the board and would never go back to crimp type as a result.

More details and pics can be found HERE.