antenna mast question

[kb1odg]

Hi, I am looking for a way to put up a 2 meter antenna. I found some mast wall mounts at radio shack, and an antenna at CB world, but I am having trouble locating a mast. I checked on Home Depot and they have a 10' galvanized pipe in their plumbing section. I was just wondering if that might work.

Here are links to the different pieces I have found. Too bad nobody sells a complete kit with all of these things included. Ah well, such is life.

btw, does this have to be grounded?


Here is a link to the antenna
FireStik 2MCKB 48-Inch 2 Meter Base Antenna 144-148 MHz

Link to the wall mounts
12" Outside Wall Mounts : Antenna Mounts | RadioShack.com

Link to the galvanized steal pipe

1 In. x 10 Ft. Galvanized Pipe - 565-1200HC at The Home Depot

 

[ridgescan]

just from my humble experince-the pipe will work just fine at 2" round or more-anything thinner might bend with high winds.

 

[SCPD]

First off, the mast will work just fine. A one-inch piece is pretty stiff but it's not very big. You may need a 1.5" piece depending on the antenna mount.

Secondly, you may want to look for a better HAM antenna. Firestik makes good CB products but I haven't read good reviews about their HAM products.

Start here: Amateur Base Antennas

You'll notice the prices are a bit higher - that's because they work and they'll likely last over the years. You may want to consider getting a dual or multiband antenna. Consider buying an antenna that will serve your future needs.

Ground the mast if your area is prone to stormy weather/thunderstorms, and use a quality lightning arrestor on your coax. Use quality coax (such as LMR-400) if possible.

 

[D00D]

Don't waste money on that pipe. Go to the outside garden section and buy a 10' section of fence top rail for about $8. I'm a big fan of the Arrow Antenna dual-band j-pole. At $39 it's hard to beat.

 

[OHIOSCAN]

ACE HARDWARE sell Channel Master tele-scoping masts, I just put a 30ft version and it worked great.

Ohioscan

 

[kennyblues]

ACE HARDWARE sell Channel Master tele-scoping masts, I just put a 30ft version and it worked great.

Ohioscan

That looks like the one I purchased from Radio Shack about 15 years ago (I don't know if they carry it anymore, somehow I don't think so) It's affixed to the side of the house at three locations and i have three antenna's on it. It's worked great all these years.
Channel Master® 30ft Telescoping TV Antenna Mast (1630) - Antennaes & Hardware - Ace Hardware

 

[SCPD]

Don't waste money on that pipe. Go to the outside garden section and buy a 10' section of fence top rail for about $8.

LOL. What are you talking about? It's almost the same cost..? Why is the top rail any better? It looks identical except for the end.

 

[KB0VWG]

I had a 10 foot section of fencing for a short ringo

I watched my 10 foot section of fencing material bend over during Hurricane Dolly and it only had a short ringo ranger antenna.
Dolly was only a cat 1 hurricane maybe a 2.
Michael
kb0vwg

 

[GKolo]

I use the fence top rail also and it has worked great for 2 years, But if a hurricane comes i think i will take it down

 

[alfish]

ohioscan i purchased a chanel master tel scope 30ft .how did you set it up,any pros/cons.i like the tought of sliding it over a post did you do that. i dont want a permant set up. thanks in advance, al..

 

[darklyte24]

I am also looking for a 10 ft mast for my discone antenna, I have a tripod to put it on and just want to be able to pick up a better signal than from inside the home.

I looked at HD at the conduit and also the other pipe 20$ for conduit vs 30$
it was a 1.5 inch i think, any suggestions?

 

[D00D]

LOL. What are you talking about? It's almost the same cost..? Why is the top rail any better? It looks identical except for the end.

The pipe the OP linked to is $26 at HD. How is that almost the same as $8? It's better because it's cheaper.

And yes, it may bend in a hurricane. That's why we take things down until after the storm passes. ;-)

 

[SCPD]

I wasn't referring to his specific choice. I was referring to EMT conduit pipe which is like $9 (for the 1.25") at Lowes:

Shop 1-1/4" x 10' Electrical Metallic Tube (EMT) Conduit at Lowes.com

1-1/4" x 10' Electrical Metallic Tube (EMT) Conduit
Item #: 72717 | Model #: 101576

 

[D00D]

Hmm, haven't looked at that before. You didn't say what you were comparing it to so I had no way of knowing you were talking about EMT instead of the galvanized pipe the OP originally mentioned.

 

[talkpair]

YARDGARD 1-3/8 in. x 10.5 Ft., 17 Gauge Top Rail - 328913DPT at The Home Depot

I've had a wifi antenna on one of these for about 4 years with no problem. Survived a 50 mph wind a couple years ago.
I wouldn't put a high dollar, or big antenna on the top of it however......at least without proper side guys.

 

[k9rzz]

Those telescoping masts are the way to go. Built for a lifetime and beefy enough that they can keep right up as you grow in the hobby. I bought two from Radio Shack about 25 years ago and I still use 'em. I've had single band HF beams, small tri-band HF beams, large 2m yagis, 6m yagis, and now a stacked pair of large FM BC antennas on mine. Just make sure you guy them well. I remember hauling them home in.on my VW Golf. Looking at the price now, the only way mine are going anywhere is when I'm a silent key - hopefully many years from now!

 

[darklyte24]

i got some of that top tube from lowes, posted up my discone and connected my scanner. A airport info freq where i can get 1 bar signal with my yaesu 8r now can get 3-4 bars with the discone antenna, i do have a big hill in front of me though.

 

[StahlMaster]

I'm a big fan of the fence top rail. I had 2 10" sections mounted on a 3' tripod on my garage. An Antron 99 on top. Without guy wires it lasted 3 years here in Michigan with more then a few 60MPH winds. It did finally bend the lower 10' section but it did not break. I'm sure with the proper 3 point guy wires it would have been fine. I'm moving it to my house with a 10' section because the house is higher then the garage. I'll guy wire it.

D

 

[WA0CBW]

AS for grounding the NEC (National Electrical Code) says the metal mast needs to be grounded to a ground rod. Remember that they also state that ALL ground rods need to be connected to the house main electrical ground rod.
BB