Last Weekend

[RadioGuy3007]

Last weekend two fellow hams helped me put up two antennas! There is a scanner antenna and a Dual-band magnet mount. We spent about 4 hours on the project. My reception is great. If you have any questions please let me know.

Sorry About The Photos. I took them with my phone and when I uploaded them they turned.

 

[AK9R]

There is a scanner antenna and a Dual-band magnet mount... Sorry About The Photos. I took them with my phone and when I uploaded them they turned.

It's great that you have some outside antennas. They are almost always better than indoor antennas. However, for all the effort you expended to semi-permanently mount a mag-mount antenna, I think I would have gotten a base antenna along the lines of a Diamond X-30.

As for the photos, get a simple photo editing program that will allow you to turn your photos. Don't know what operating system you are using, but even the Paint program that comes with Windows 7 has a "rotate" feature.

 

[RadioGuy3007]

Last weekend two fellow hams helped me put up two antennas! There is a scanner antenna and a Dual-band magnet mount. We spent about 4 hours on the project. My reception is great. If you have any questions please let me know.

Sorry About The Photos. I took them with my phone and when I uploaded them they turned.

It's great that you have some outside antennas. They are almost always better than indoor antennas. However, for all the effort you expended to semi-permanently mount a mag-mount antenna, I think I would have gotten a base antenna along the lines of a Diamond X-30.

As for the photos, get a simple photo editing program that will allow you to turn your photos. Don't know what operating system you are using, but even the Paint program that comes with Windows 7 has a "rotate" feature.

I am only using a mag-mount until the winter.

 

[LtDoc]

Winter is a good time to mess with antennas! As everyone knows, an antenna put up during rain, sleeting, snow, in 120 degree(F) weather always works better than if it's done in pretty weather... right??
- 'Doc

 

[RadioGuy3007]

Winter is a good time to mess with antennas! As everyone knows, an antenna put up during rain, sleeting, snow, in 120 degree(F) weather always works better than if it's done in pretty weather... right??
- 'Doc

Don't be a smart alec. I am only using the mag-mount until it gets closer to winter.

 

[Rt169Radio]

It looks good, nice job. What kind of poles and clamps did you use?

 

[LtDoc]

- 'Doc

 

[N8IAA]

Winter is a good time to mess with antennas! As everyone knows, an antenna put up during rain, sleeting, snow, in 120 degree(F) weather always works better than if it's done in pretty weather... right??
- 'Doc

He's not being a smart alec. It's a ham radio axiom that the nastier the weather the antenna is raised in, the better the antenna will work.
Larry

 

[kevin2525]

Could you please tell me the antenna your using with all the
radials at the base. Thanks & 73's.

 

[N5TWB]

Winter is a good time to mess with antennas! As everyone knows, an antenna put up during rain, sleeting, snow, in 120 degree(F) weather always works better than if it's done in pretty weather... right??
- 'Doc

Don't be a smart alec. I am only using the mag-mount until it gets closer to winter.

Lighten up, Francis - as pointed out by another, this is a ham radio axiom with the corollary that the antenna performs even better when the installation is done in the middle of a contest or a band opening. It's best to maintain a sense of humor in this hobby.

Serious comment/question - it appears you've mounted your brackets on the fascia board. Did you use long enough bolts to get to the actual roof structure 2x4? You have a fairly long lever (the mast) with significant wind loading (the antenna) up in the breeze so your anchoring point needs to be up to the challenge.

 

[russellmaher]

It's a good looking install and yes please be sure your mounting bolts are deeply secured into the wood.

I'm guessing your reception has improved considerably with the external antennas, yes?

Russell

 

[WA0CBW]

I hope you didn't forget the proper grounding. I didn't see any in the picture. According to the NEC a ground block should be placed near where the coax enters the building. The ground block should be connected to a ground rod. A coax surge protector should be installed either outside or within 24 inches of the inside and it should be connected to the ground rod as well. If you put the coax surge protector outside it can also serve as the coax ground. Just be sure to properly weather proof the protector. The NEC also require the mast to be grounded. A #6 wire should be run from the mast in as straight a run as possible to the same ground rod. This installation is a little more complex as the mast doesn't go all the way to the ground. Usually the mast is grounded near the base to the ground rod. In this installation the ground wire should NOT follow the same run as the coax. It should run in as straight a line as possible to the ground. This may require multiple ground rods. Don't forget the NEC requires ALL grounds to be connected together along with the main electrical entrance ground. See the NEC section 810 for additional information.
BB