Antenna mounting

[OzPrepper]

Hello All

I recently purchase a 27Mhz CB, power supply and a Station Master antenna to bring back some childhood memories of using a CB but all I had back then was a whip on a car, never a base station antenna.

My problem is where to mount it, after taking a gamble and mounting it in the picture below I was told that was a bad idea and I wouldn't get good RX TX.

Money is very tight after buying all the equipment and wondered if anyone had any tips on a better place to mount it on a budget.

My roof is all tin so I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

Regards

Chris

P.S For some reason my pictures are sideways, not sure how to fix that.

 

[OzPrepper]

I forgot to add I was thinking of using a satellite mount similar to the one below and mounting it to the highest part of the roof as safely possible but was told I might need guy wires the higher I get and a ground spike so things are starting to get very confusing for this novice.

 

[PACNWDude]

Getting the antenna away from metal will help. That satellite antenna mount may help, but yes guy lines may be needed if the antenna needs more support.

In my area, many people hire someone to run their CB antennas up the nearest and highest tree.

I just use one mounted on a pole about 20 feet in the air. For nearby comms, this works for me. So it comes down to, do you hear who you need and want to with the antenna where it is? If so, then don't worry about it. Getting away from metal will help RX and TX though.

 

[OzPrepper]

Appreciate the reply.

27Mhz has declined a lot over here in Australia, so far I haven't heard a thing to date, even on SSB.

Unfortunately there aren't any large trees near me so mounting it up a tree is out, the thing I was worried about with using the satellite mount on the roof was having the antenna near metal and with the mount and roof being metal I wasn't sure how that would go.

Looks like I will have to keep researching and see what else I can come up with.

 

[kf4eyr]

just try to get it up above the highest point of your roof,,,

 

[TheSpaceMann]

Your set up should work fine! I once mounted an A-99 antenna on a back deck just 2 feet off the ground, and I had fairly good results! The band has been open on and off lately, so just keep your radio on and squelched, and wait for the DX to come through!!!

 

[K5MPH]

Your set up should work fine! I once mounted an A-99 antenna on a back deck just 2 feet off the ground, and I had fairly good results! The band has been open on and off lately, so just keep your radio on and squelched, and wait for the DX to come through!!!

I also had a A-99 and it was only 8 feet off the ground it work fine,but if you really want to get out around you you need to try to get it as high as you can get it,i have also had an A-99 up 40 feet and was able to talk 35 miles away with other's with same setup as i had.....

 

[TheSpaceMann]

You may want to check this page. it has some interesting info about Station Master antennas... Station Master Antenna Notes

 

[OzPrepper]

Thanks again for the advice and links.

I did a little more research and have found that grounding the antenna can help with not only lowering SWR but improving over all performance, I'm guessing some braiding bolted to the aluminium bracket of the antenna and copper stake in the ground should do it.

The satellite dish mount is only $39 over here so It's a cheaper starting option to get it up higher so I might give that a go first. So far I'm yet to hear anything so will keep you posted with the progress.

 

[OzPrepper]

just try to get it up above the highest point of your roof,,,

Quick question, does the base of a station master also have to be above the roof line or just the tip?

 

[KC2GIU]

Quick question, does the base of a station master also have to be above the roof line or just the tip?

To keep energy radiation away from people, it's best to have the base of the antenna above any person in the home. Thus, if you have a second flood, then the base of the antenna needs to be just above the second floor. Besides, the higher the antenna with low lose cable, the better your signal will travel out.

 

[OzPrepper]

To keep energy radiation away from people, it's best to have the base of the antenna above any person in the home. Thus, if you have a second flood, then the base of the antenna needs to be just above the second floor. Besides, the higher the antenna with low lose cable, the better your signal will travel out.

Just a single storey here but I will attempt to get the whole thing above the roof line, thanks.

 

[OzPrepper]

One other quick question.

I have noticed that when it rains my SWR goes up to about 2.0, when its sunny it's about 1.5 is this normal?

 

[TheSpaceMann]

One other quick question.

I have noticed that when it rains my SWR goes up to about 2.0, when its sunny it's about 1.5 is this normal?

That does happen with some antennas. My old "Super Magnum" also exhibited an increase in SWR during rain storms.

 

[KC2GIU]

One other quick question.

I have noticed that when it rains my SWR goes up to about 2.0, when its sunny it's about 1.5 is this normal?

There could be a moisture path or water build up with the antenna or the connection to the coax cable. Some antennas have a drain weep hole too.

 

[OzPrepper]

Thanks guys.

I will be mounting it in a different spot some time this week so I will make sure the connectors are all sealed up.

 

[OzPrepper]

Well I managed to get the antenna up higher and if I add some more tubing I could go higher but it was hard enough doing it on my own so this will do for now.

SWR has improved a lot, was getting 1:5 now getting almost 1:1

Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[KC2GIU]

Looking really good now. 1:1 is great!

 

[cmdrwill]

Nice...