flatfoot2421
Member
This video may be of some assistance. Best of luck with your endeavor!
HOA Issue, using a TV antenna for scanners
- Thread starter N9JIG
- Start date
Thanks @flatfoot2421, I might try this!
N9JIG -In the post that began this thread, you wrote
"I am also interested in as close to omnidirectional performance as possible."
The Create log periodic antenna shown in that video is like all log periodics in that it is NOT omnidirectional! It is mostly unidirectional as is any beam-type antenna. So we're assuming you've dropped that requirement from consideration(?) Does look very much like a TV antenna though and is likely to pass HOA scrutiny.
I have found that most directional antennas tend to receive off-beam decently enough. As this is intended for scanners only it might work, otherwise I would need to put a rotator on it.
If I reduce the number of elements it should reduce the directionality of the antenna.
That was my vote in post #20.
And I said use an omni way back in post #6.
But you didn’t recommend a COMPACtenna or describe a brilliant way to disguise it with a TV antenna.And I said use an omni way back in post #6.
Ok.
I actually have one of these and this sounds like a neat idea. Whatever I end up with might also include the Compactenna mounted above it. I suppose I could paint it grey or tan (whatever the mast color is) so they would think it is part of that.
I could then use a Log Periodic or similar as also mentioned in this thread below it, it would fit in nicely with the IC-7100 for VHF and UHF work.
Of course I can't really do anything until October when it cools down here in AZ but I might start accumulating the pieces beforehand.
Yes actually that is why I added my vote😉😉😉 I really did not know much about it until you mentioned..thanks!
I suspect if you go on your roof now you will vaporize.
I actually have 4 of these, two are deployed in the attic and two stored in the garage. I am thinking of using one as it does resemble a TV antenna to the uninformed. I will have to do some work on it to stand up to the AZ heat. I also have new ChannelMaster baluns and will make sure to weatherproof it as well as I can. I might look to replace or support the plastic parts...
Bick
Member
I have two Ventennas installed on the vent pipes on the roof of my house with cables coming down inside the vent and exiting out "T" connections inside the attic. There I connect the coax cables to cables running up the interior wall of the shack, like something I think you showed in an earlier post.
Unfortunately, Ventenna is no longer in business but still has a presence on the net and
you can read their info. Check out the links page. I believe the antennas are half wave design and could probably be "re-engineered" if you wanted.
Gray
Unfortunately, Ventenna is no longer in business but still has a presence on the net and
you can read their info. Check out the links page. I believe the antennas are half wave design and could probably be "re-engineered" if you wanted.
Gray
OK, a little follow-up here:
I connected my Omni-X as well as an ST-2 (both in my attic) to a TV in my office via my multicoupler just to see if they would pick up any TV stations. I am about 50 or so miles outside of the city with a mountain between me and the main location for TV stations so did not expect to get any channels. I was not disappointed, neither provided any channels on a channel scan.
So with the help of a friend I mounted the Omni-X outside on a satellite dish mount, using a 5-foot 1.25 inch diameter plastic pipe as a mast (it fit in the mount perfectly) secured by a pair of stainless steel 5/8 bolts. I painted the antenna's plastic staff with what the can said was "Sky Blue" spray paint and the mast with a color most closely matching that of the side of my house.
Mounted at the peak of the eave on the utility wall of my house it extends a few feet above the roofline. I put white plastic split-loom on the LMR-400 coax as our HOA design guidelines says the "feedline should be painted to match the house color".
The Omni-X is mounted about 5 feet away and about 10 feet higher than it was inside the attic and it made all the difference in the world. Not only can I actually receive a couple TV stations in Phoenix but I can also receive one in Prescott, 70 miles away in the opposite direction but less obstructed by mountains. So I left a lead for the TV connected to the multicoupler in case the HOA comes calling...
As for scanner reception it does work a lot better. I can hear the WX station up in Flagstaff, about 120 miles away and sometimes the one in Tucson 130 miles) as well. I am still evaluating the reception on the various bands but can say that rail, low-band, GMRS/440 ham and VHF high-band stuff is much improved over the attic location. I am hearing a lot more air-band traffic on VHF and more UHF MilAir as well.
If my HOA says anything I can point to the TV reception and let them know that I am considering raising it another 20 feet or so to provide reception of more channels than I have now as I am only getting a couple. I am actually enjoying having OTA TV reception again, some of the stuff has been fun to watch. Of course I am really enjoying the improved scanner reception. So far none of my neighbors have mentioned anything and I am on good terms with them so I don't expect any blowback.
Of course the day I took the pictures was the first cloudy day we have had in months here On a sunny day the shaft does blend pretty well but I am considering painting the radiating elements the same color, the metal finish tends to catch sunlight.
* Has anyone found their Omni-X to be directional? I would assume it has some nodes at least. I might pop out the ladder and try rotating it 90 degrees after I have documented some reception patterns and compare notes.
The wire on the side of the mast is the ground, it runs from the in-line lightning surge protector to a ground rod below.
I connected my Omni-X as well as an ST-2 (both in my attic) to a TV in my office via my multicoupler just to see if they would pick up any TV stations. I am about 50 or so miles outside of the city with a mountain between me and the main location for TV stations so did not expect to get any channels. I was not disappointed, neither provided any channels on a channel scan.
So with the help of a friend I mounted the Omni-X outside on a satellite dish mount, using a 5-foot 1.25 inch diameter plastic pipe as a mast (it fit in the mount perfectly) secured by a pair of stainless steel 5/8 bolts. I painted the antenna's plastic staff with what the can said was "Sky Blue" spray paint and the mast with a color most closely matching that of the side of my house.
Mounted at the peak of the eave on the utility wall of my house it extends a few feet above the roofline. I put white plastic split-loom on the LMR-400 coax as our HOA design guidelines says the "feedline should be painted to match the house color".
The Omni-X is mounted about 5 feet away and about 10 feet higher than it was inside the attic and it made all the difference in the world. Not only can I actually receive a couple TV stations in Phoenix but I can also receive one in Prescott, 70 miles away in the opposite direction but less obstructed by mountains. So I left a lead for the TV connected to the multicoupler in case the HOA comes calling...
As for scanner reception it does work a lot better. I can hear the WX station up in Flagstaff, about 120 miles away and sometimes the one in Tucson 130 miles) as well. I am still evaluating the reception on the various bands but can say that rail, low-band, GMRS/440 ham and VHF high-band stuff is much improved over the attic location. I am hearing a lot more air-band traffic on VHF and more UHF MilAir as well.
If my HOA says anything I can point to the TV reception and let them know that I am considering raising it another 20 feet or so to provide reception of more channels than I have now as I am only getting a couple. I am actually enjoying having OTA TV reception again, some of the stuff has been fun to watch. Of course I am really enjoying the improved scanner reception. So far none of my neighbors have mentioned anything and I am on good terms with them so I don't expect any blowback.
Of course the day I took the pictures was the first cloudy day we have had in months here On a sunny day the shaft does blend pretty well but I am considering painting the radiating elements the same color, the metal finish tends to catch sunlight.
* Has anyone found their Omni-X to be directional? I would assume it has some nodes at least. I might pop out the ladder and try rotating it 90 degrees after I have documented some reception patterns and compare notes.
The wire on the side of the mast is the ground, it runs from the in-line lightning surge protector to a ground rod below.
K6GBW
Member
Just mount up a small dual band antenna. If the HOA makes noise tell them you use it for TV. What are they gonna do? They can't search your house to see what it's hooked to.
The Omni-X does have a little directionality to it. Try turning it about 45 degrees at a time and check you signal, then you can fine tune it in to best signal.
