Help me recreate a HF antenna I made 35 years ago

[CAvoyager1960]

So time to get back on topic... antennas. It seems my original "rotatable dipole" is not practical for my situation (metal roof) but I'm still going to build it anyway (I don't give up that easy) Looks like my best option is a 1/4 wave vertical mounted on the "peak" of the roof (simple lightweight design using wires for the element and some "radials" (scroll back up and see the photo I posted) I have lots of 16 ga speaker wire and an old (but long) fishing pole. Two questions:
1. would there be any advantage to running 2 wires up the fishing pole (or is 1 fine)?
2. I can have two radials (full 1/4 wavelength each) run along the "facia boards" next to the roof (they will obviously angle down a bit) Also, I will have one radial going from the antenna to a fence (might use a simple rope/pulley/weight setup so it doesn't snap under tension) Finally, just for good luck, I will connect a magnet to a fourth radial wire and "toss" it over the roof (fingers crossed) Is there any advantage to electrically connecting the radials to the metal roof?
I can't walk on the roof (long story) but we have an extendable ladder. The mount will be made of wood (have lots of scraps) Basically, it won't cost me a dime except for the coax. I'm also going to have a ground wire (something heftier than the speaker wire) running down to a water pipe (I know that's not "proper" but still better than nothing) This is kinda a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mentality (with the roof being the enemy) I am loving my new radio and studying for my technician license but for now enjoying the CB (11 meter)

 

[CAvoyager1960]

I could use the copper pipe I have for the vertical element but it will need more support . Would it be that much better than wire? I was saving it for the horizontal dipole project (or even some VHF J pole antennas... side topic) Keep in mind I am not using high power.

 

[CAvoyager1960]

This should also make a good receiving antenna for 10 meter band

 

[CAvoyager1960]

Please understand that everything I'm doing with antennas is experimental (temporary) I'm just testing different ideas. If I wanted a long term solution, I would save up for an A-99

 

[CAvoyager1960]

Something crazy happened yesterday! Before I tell you, let explain something. I'm in a odd living situation... live with my mother and my nephew. My nephew's room is next to my room (and my mag mount antenna on the metal tool shed is just outside his room) He plays electric guitar and has all this high tech stuff (including a connection to a computer for recording) Lots if wires everywhere. I was talking on my CB radio and he ran into my room and said "you have to hear this" He had been recording and somehow could hear my radio through his setup (all those wires are like antennas) We both got a laugh but then I realized this is going to be a big problem! I'm hoping that having my 1/4 wave antenna above the metal roof will block signals from reaching his room but it might not matter. Good thing he mostly does recording on saturdays. He has never mentioned hearing my radio before (when just playing through his amp) so not sure what is causing this only when he has his recording setup connected... any guesses? I remember when I was young, the guy down the street had an old tube linear amp but it was 1000 watts and most likely had issues. Many neighbors said it was messing with their TVs. I wouldn't think a modern radio wouldn't cause this kind of interference.

 

[CAvoyager1960]

Please understand that everything I'm doing with antennas is experimental (temporary) I'm just testing different ideas. If I wanted a long term solution, I would save up for an A-99

Well... that's what I ended up doing (got the last one amazon had) Still deciding where to put it. I like that it is easily tuned (including for 10 meter) The fence is about 12 feet from the metal roof... might just mount a 15 ft 2x4 to the fence.

 

[CAvoyager1960]

Oh boy... what have I got myself into? This antenna (A-99) is not what I thought. It seems to need to be mounted to a metal mast (I am mounting it to a wood board) The metal mast becomes part of the antenna? Best I can do is add some wire radials to it. I feel that this antenna (as advertised) is a lie! Wish I had read this before ordering:
Copper Talk: Review

 

[CAvoyager1960]

I might just make my own 1/4 wave antenna (copper tube with wire radials) and save the A-99 for future use. I also still want to build the original horizontal dipole I mentioned in the beginning of this thread (and save it too) Damn that metal roof!

 

[WA0CBW]

The metal mast is for lightning protection. If using a wood mounting you will still have to provided a #6 ground wire to a ground rod to meet code (NEC).
Bill

 

[prcguy]

The metal mast is for lightning protection. If using a wood mounting you will still have to provided a #6 ground wire to a ground rod to meet code (NEC).
Bill

Code would be 10ga copper wire from the antenna or mast to the AC entry panel ground or a ground rod but any new ground rod would need to be bonded to the AC entry panel main ground rod with no less than 6ga copper wire.

 

[WA0CBW]

Thanks prcguy for describing better what I was trying to to say.
BB

 

[CAvoyager1960]

I understand about safety and grounding but as far as the antenna working well It doesn't need a metal mast?
I'm still going to add a 10 ft metal mast to get it up higher (unfortunately, it will still only be about 8 ft above the metal roof) In this situation, would a 1/4 wave ground plane vertical be better or am I just screwed?

 

[CAvoyager1960]

Update: got my new antenna (A-99) Even though I ordered it from Amazon, it was delivered by UPS and end of the box was damaged. I looked over everything and all looked fine except I noticed something odd when looking at the bottom section. As I was moving it around, I heard something rolling around inside (no, it wasn't the wire... totally different sound) It sounded like a "BB" My best guess is a small blob of solder (that could find it's way into the internal parts) I've decided to go ahead and test it (just on a 2x4 mounted to the fence) The bottom of the antenna will only be 9 ft above the ground but easy to reach and "tune". I'm excited because today might have good DX conditions (but also very nervous about if it is OK) I have a new coax cable too. Wish me luck (I'm going to need it LOL)

 

[CAvoyager1960]

Been busy... but finally tested the A-99 antenna (mounted to a 10 ft board which is mounted to the fence) It's about 10 ft from the metal roof (not ideal but good enough to see if it works and not damaged from shipping) It seems to have great reception (although it's hard to tell because of very calm conditions) yesterday afternoon there was activity for a couple hours. Very happy to say that I got SWR of 1.1 on both channels 1 and 40 with no adjustment No issues putting it together except the larger lock washer would not fit over the threads so I just left both lock washers off. Next few days should have lots of activity from recent solar events (I'm operating on 11 meter/CB but also going to monitor 10 meter) Can't wait to get my technician class license.
Like I mentioned, I'm still going to build the original antenna design that started this thread.