Hi, I'm a fairly new ham radio operator, and I want to learn about how you guys have mounted your antennas. I have a monopole antenna, but I'm not fully sure where to mount it. On my deck, there are some posts with lights strung on them, so that may be an ideal location if I can screw it to the opposite side of the lights, but I've also seen people mount directly onto the roof of the house or another part of the house. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you!
Antenna mounting
- Thread starter KF0SOP
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AB5ID
Member
Congratulations! What kind of monopole do you have? Antenna mounting depends on the band and the type of antenna.
This is the link for the antenna! I don't have a place to mount it exactly how they show in the photos, so I'm up for some brainstorming!
The place I want to mount it is on my deck, so I can try to send a photo if that would help!
Baofeng Dual Band VHF UHF 144/430Mhz 2.5dBi 100W 17.13inch Fiberglass Outdoor Base Antenna with SO239 (UHF Female) Connector for ICOM Yaesu Midland Motorola Mobile Ham Radio Transceiver
Feel free to look at this when you can, and let me know if you have any suggestions!The place I want to mount it is on my deck, so I can try to send a photo if that would help!
What would you like to mount it to? A rooftop? An existing tower? A 4" x 4" post? The side of a roof gable?
For VHF/UHF, height is king.
Mount it as high as possible. Higher than the peak of your roof if possible.
Mount it as high as possible. Higher than the peak of your roof if possible.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Consider cable routing.
Consider cable length, more distance = more feedline losses = less performance.
Consider cable type. Cheap coax = more feedline losses = less performance.
You want short cable runs and high quality coax.
You really want to consider proper grounding and lightning protection (required by National Electric Code, and just plain common sense). Olathe Kansas, this should be very high on your list and not something you ignore.
Ideal setup:
Antenna up high and in the clear, or as close as you can SAFELY get it.
Away from all overhead power lines.
Ideally close to existing home ground rod.
Close to your radios so you can reduce feedline losses.
Consider placement of lightning protection device where coax enters the home, and easy access to ground rod.
Keep other occupants (wife) happy.
If you live in an HOA community, you really need to think carefully.
Keep neighbors happy by being reasonable and not putting up something that falls on their home.
If you are new to the hobby, consider that this won't be your only antenna. Plan accordingly now and make life easier down the road.
Consider cable length, more distance = more feedline losses = less performance.
Consider cable type. Cheap coax = more feedline losses = less performance.
You want short cable runs and high quality coax.
You really want to consider proper grounding and lightning protection (required by National Electric Code, and just plain common sense). Olathe Kansas, this should be very high on your list and not something you ignore.
Ideal setup:
Antenna up high and in the clear, or as close as you can SAFELY get it.
Away from all overhead power lines.
Ideally close to existing home ground rod.
Close to your radios so you can reduce feedline losses.
Consider placement of lightning protection device where coax enters the home, and easy access to ground rod.
Keep other occupants (wife) happy.
If you live in an HOA community, you really need to think carefully.
Keep neighbors happy by being reasonable and not putting up something that falls on their home.
If you are new to the hobby, consider that this won't be your only antenna. Plan accordingly now and make life easier down the road.
If they are 'modern' LED lights sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, etc; you can expect a lot of RF noise, coming and going.
This is where I was hoping the antenna could go! The first photo shows the post itself with the lights strung on it, and the second photo shows the same post at a slightly different angle. The window on the end is my room. I'm thinking the antenna could go on the opposite side of the post from the lights, and the cable would run to my room. What do you guys think?
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RichM
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- Jul 22, 2004
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- 121
Try it! Antenna placement is as much about experimenting than anything else. Try the easiest location first, it may work just fine. If the LED lights cause interference just switch them off when using the antenna.
Incidentally I chose an antenna location that “looked“ ideal, clear view of the horizon, no trees etc. It did not work as well as a much easier spot for me that has trees, close to a hill etc. Saved money on coax and a complex roof mount by simply experimenting. I can hit and hold 9 repeaters from this unlikely spot where hitting 4 was a struggle in the other location. Good luck, let us know how it works out.
Incidentally I chose an antenna location that “looked“ ideal, clear view of the horizon, no trees etc. It did not work as well as a much easier spot for me that has trees, close to a hill etc. Saved money on coax and a complex roof mount by simply experimenting. I can hit and hold 9 repeaters from this unlikely spot where hitting 4 was a struggle in the other location. Good luck, let us know how it works out.
Another simple mount is a couple of 10 foot sections of fence top rail with bottom in 2 foot hole and some ready mix. A TV bracket near the gutter and your good to go. This will give you about 18 feet above the ground to bottom of the antenna.
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