HAM Questions

[fineshot1]

Don't know about the chimney mount but you would ground it
to a ground rod(about 3 feet long or more) pounded into the ground
at least 3 feet away from your foundation via a heavy gage wire,
usually at least a 10 or 8 gage wire. The wire should be clamped
to the bottom of the mast and routed to the ground rod in as straight
and short of a run as possible.

Also would be prudent to have a lightning arrestor inline of your antenna
cable and that should also be grounded to the rod or a suitable ground
point. If you were to pick up a copy of the ARRL Antenna handbook
there is an abundance of grounding info regarding antenna grounding
techniques or google it on your browser as i am sure there is plenty of
info on the internet.

 

[LtDoc]

I'm familiar with 'Arrow' antennas and can say they are good antennas. You can't get much simpler, and if put together as instructed, they should last quite some time. Figure on tuning them, nothing comes really "pre-tuned".
Chimney mounting. First, is that chimney in use? If so, then I think I'd consider some place else to mount an antenna. Not the antenna so much, but the feed line doesn't like heat much, you know? That doesn't say anything about what will be deposited on the antenna and feed line, and that can cause huge problems.
The 'Rat Shack' used to carry chimney mounts, no idea if they have been discontinued or not. Other places do/did too, so check around.
Lightning arresters. Oh boy, lots of information/disinformation about those things. 'ICE' is one place to look (and read!). Only suggestion I'd make is to forget the 'spark-gap' type arresters, they do not work. By the time a spark jumps that gap, the damage is already done. There are no absolutes with lightning arresters.
- 'Doc

 

[N8IAA]

Ok, so I talked to some firends and read some reviews. I've decided to get this antenna Arrow Antenna Arrow Plane "GP146/440". I wanna mount it off my chimney. whats the best kind of chimney mount to get? I have a mast im going to use.

Believe it, or not, the RS antenna is the same basic ground plane discone But the Arrow antenna is constructed much better. Discone antennas will usually provide 1.1/1.2:1 swr. Providing there is no other metal, or structure that is close to the antenna. You can leave the swr meter inline, but it is not neccessary. Any power supply that is rated contnuous at a higher amperage than the radio's highest draw will be sufficient. Example: radio rated at 13 amps for high power, power supply rated at 20 amps continuous, will protect the radio and power supply. You've gotten very good advice for your first station. Enjoy the amateur radio service I certainly have for 26+ years.
Larry

 

[W3AWF]

Thank you all for your answers! I appreciate it! What kind of coax is used on Ham's? I've always used PL-259 for everything ive ever had, is Ham different? "I know the answer is probably in the ARRL License Manual I ordered but that won't be here until next week" Im going to buy an antenna and coax and install it while I have time to do it before school starts. The chimney is not used much, my parents had it cleaned 6 years ago and we've used it once a year for 5 years, and when we do use the fireplace we use duraflame logs just to create an affect on christmas when the family is at our house.

 

[N8IAA]

Thank you all for your answers! I appreciate it! What kind of coax is used on Ham's? I've always used PL-259 for everything ive ever had, is Ham different? "I know the answer is probably in the ARRL License Manual I ordered but that won't be here until next week" Im going to buy an antenna and coax and install it while I have time to do it before school starts. The chimney is not used much, my parents had it cleaned 6 years ago and we've used it once a year for 5 years, and when we do use the fireplace we use duraflame logs just to create an affect on christmas when the family is at our house.

Depending on how long your run of coax will be, typical length is 50', RG-8m (mini-8) will work for a dual band transceiver. I believe the Arrow antenna has a SO-239 connector. It will mate up perfectly with coax using a PL-259 connector. You will always get the 'purists' who push 'N' connectors for anything above 2m. Not neccessary in a normal ham shack.
HTH,
Larry

 

[N8IAA]

Something else I reccomend is that you find a local club to help you in passing your exam. They are a wealth of knowledge that will last for a long time.
Larry

 

[W3AWF]

Thank You guys! I appreciate the help with the coax. And I have been trying to find a club within 40 Minuets of my house, im still looking.

 

[W3AWF]

Is 50 Ohms enough to not melt the coax, and is it even possible to melt coax? i've read about it on the internet but i've never actually seen it.

 

[W3AWF]

All I can find is RG-8X, Whats the difference between RG-8M and RG-8X

 

[KD0OTK]

All I can find is RG-8X, Whats the difference between RG-8M and RG-8X

Coaxial ("Coax") Cable FAQ

 

[Spankymedic7]

A different idea...

I'm going to throw a wrench into things and disagree with Fineshot1's comment on an HT not being a good first radio. On the contrary I think it's the perfect first radio, let me explain. First of all, wouldn't you want the e flexibility/portability of a handheld radio? If you have a base radio, the only time you're going to be able to get on the air is when you're home and in your bedroom (or whatever room it'll be in). Secondly, you can still have dual band capability with a handheld radio. Thirdly, HTs these days are very flexible and are full of features. Not to mention, you can use an HT as a base/mobile with a power supply/mobile adapter and external antenna, I've done it myself when I got started. The thing I liked best is that when I left my house, I still had my radio WITH ME.

Just my thoughts.

 

[reedeb]

I'm going to throw a wrench into things and disagree with Fineshot1's comment on an HT not being a good first radio. On the contrary I think it's the perfect first radio, let me explain. First of all, wouldn't you want the e flexibility/portability of a handheld radio? If you have a base radio, the only time you're going to be able to get on the air is when you're home and in your bedroom (or whatever room it'll be in). Secondly, you can still have dual band capability with a handheld radio. Thirdly, HTs these days are very flexible and are full of features. Not to mention, you can use an HT as a base/mobile with a power supply/mobile adapter and external antenna, I've done it myself when I got started. The thing I liked best is that when I left my house, I still had my radio WITH ME.

Just my thoughts.

I agree I've used HT's a lot True, you wont get the range a full mobile or base will, BUT you will get out to local repeaters and with outside antennas you will get better range.

 

[zl2taw]

I'm going to throw a wrench into things and disagree with Fineshot1's comment on an HT not being a good first radio. On the contrary I think it's the perfect first radio, let me explain. First of all, wouldn't you want the e flexibility/portability of a handheld radio? If you have a base radio, the only time you're going to be able to get on the air is when you're home and in your bedroom (or whatever room it'll be in). Secondly, you can still have dual band capability with a handheld radio. Thirdly, HTs these days are very flexible and are full of features. Not to mention, you can use an HT as a base/mobile with a power supply/mobile adapter and external antenna, I've done it myself when I got started. The thing I liked best is that when I left my house, I still had my radio WITH ME.

Just my thoughts.

thats what I started with a Yaesu FT-470 dual band, used a 1/4w on 2m as a base antenna. Managed to work MIR with 5w both on voice & packet.

It went everywhere with me

 

[tojohnso]

I agree that an HT would be a good first radio. The older HAMs tried to convince me that getting a mobile would be best. But, I have a motorcycle and wanted to take it with me in case I was out of cell range (most of our towers are accessible with 5 watts). I also wanted to help out with special events like radio comms for races, parades, etc that my club takes part in. A mobile wouldn't have done me much good.

Later, I did buy a linear amp to use while driving on trips just in case I needed the extra power. So, I have the most versatile radio any new ham could ever want.

 

[W3AWF]

Thank you all! Well here's what has transpired so far.....Friday morning I had my wisdom teeth out "They were verry impacted!" and was swolen like a chipmunk. Every odd pointed to me not passing my test.... Saturday morning I woke up, and my Dad drove me to Norristown to take my HAM test.......I PASSED! My Dad promised me a radio if I got my license. So he dropped me off to take my test, I passed, he comes back to get me and.............He hands me a TYT UVF1! So then we drove 2 hours to Ham Radio Outlet in New Castle, DE and I dropped $601.00 on A Yeasu FT-7900R, A 20 Amp MFJ Power Supply, 50 Feet of LMR-400, And a Comet GP-3. So then I got home and slepped all night and day today.....I installed the Yeasu in my radio rack this evening, and im going to put the antenna up this week sometime. My question is, Am I good to put the GP-3 in my attic? "Zoning Sucks around here" Or if I can't put it in my attic I can put up it up on the back of my house as long as it's not sticking up over the roof line if need be.

 

[KK4DAN]

Congrats on the radio. I answered your question in your other thread, but basically, yes it will work in your attic. It will always be a compromise, but its better then nothing. You should look into building an antenna. I plan on documenting my next collinear I build, but its all about $10 in parts, maybe $20 if you had absolutely no wire or anything to use. Its housed in PVC and cheap & fun to build and they work good.

It depends what you are trying to reach? Are you just going to be talking into local repeaters (2m/440) and are they pretty close? If so, it probably shouldn't be an issue at all. It will definitely work better outside at higher elevations, but it will still work in your attic and local 2m repeaters (~10 miles) won't be any problem. You'll probably even be able to work some a bit further if that repeater antenna is higher up. You'll obviously work better on 2m then 440 just to the nature of their signals.

Heck, when I first started in Ham a few months ago, I was using a mag mount car antenna mounted on the side of an old PC case in my attic. It got me into all the local repeaters full quieting and even a few a bit further.

Since then I have built a collinear antenna ($10 total). I normally keep it up on a 20ft pole outside and the collinear is about 10ft tall total, so its about 30ft in the air. That gives me even better coverage. I need to paint it black to disguise it a bit in my yard and waterproof it better though, so I pulled it down yesterday and it sitting in my living room and although its not as good as being outside, it still reaches all my local repeaters just fine. I'd eventually love to get it even higher in the air, but right now it works great. Heck, at the 25-30' height I have it now, I can even hit a couple repeaters that are 60-75 miles away, but are higher in elevation themselves.

I actually am going to build another collinear antenna since they are so easy and cheap to build and give some decent gain and keep it in my attic so I can switch to it during storms when I disconnect my outside one.

When ever I head over to my parent's house in the next town over, I bring my HT along with my collinear so I can talk on repeaters near their place. Its pretty easy to carry in my car as the main part is only 8ft long.