Mounting a scanner antenna next to a TV antenna??

[Rastaman147]

I would like to get the ST2 antenna, and mount it onto an existing antenna mast along with a TV antenna (no longer being used). The antenna mast is located on the side of my house. The TV antenna is mounted to the mast at a point about 8 - 10 feet above the roof surface, which puts it well out my reach. If I stand on my roof, I figure I can safely reach 6 feet above the roof surface, so removing the TV antenna would prevent this from being a simple, DIY job.

So my questions are:

1. If I do not remove the TV antenna, The ST2 will probably be touching it (or be very close to it). Will this impact performance? My goal is to improve reception over my portable scanner's stock 6" rubber duck antenna.

2. The ST2 is 10 feet tip to tip -- If I am standing on my roof, I'll be able to mount it so the bottom is about 1 foot (maybe 2 feet) above the roof surface. Obviously, the higher I can mount the antenna, the better the reception, but will being so close to the roof cause signifcant performance issues? (as opposed to being, maybe, 6 feet above the roof for example).

Obviously, the right way to do this would be to remove the TV antenna, but I'd like to hear thoughts from anyone who has tried doing this, or anyone who wants to explain why this should or shouldn't be done.

 

[nocpire]

Antenna work

You "might" just want to keep that TV antenna up there. As long as there's good separation between the two (any ideas guys?), you could install a simple A/B switch when you want to go directional vs: omni-directional. If it were me, I'd mount the ST2 above the TV antenna as the TV is rigged for horizontal operation and the omni is vertical. And of course, be careful up there. It would be a PITA, but you might also consider just disassembling and reassembling it for safety's sake. Don't forget to get some help, might cost a six-pack or so, but at least someone would be around to identify the body. ;-)

Good luck

 

[trap5858]

Can you install and off set bracket on the mast to mount the scanner antenna?

 

[Techy]

I sort of had this same issue. If you look in my Shack pics, you will see my Grove OCFD antenna. Look near the middle of the mounting arm. The 2 bolts were where the original U-bolt was. I got some smaller square aluminum stock and slid it into the original mount to "push it" out away more from the roof peak. The top antenna is a directional FM yagi I use for FM stereo reception. It gave me a bit of better seperation away from the FM yagi and out away from the peak. If I did not perform that the lower element would be touching the roof. But it works fine. Maybe that will give you some possible ideas.

 

[N3GPA]

Antenna

Heck a coat hanger would be an improvement over a rubber duckie. Seriously, any outdoor antenna will blow your mind the improvement will be immeasurable. I would put it up and not worry about the proximity of the tv antenna, as long as they do not rub. It could generate a little noise.

Of course the best thing is to have it as high as possible and in the clear, but we are not all fortunate enough to have the perfect location.

Go for it,
Jen

 

[Rastaman147]

Here are some pictures that might help

Techy - Thanks for the input. It sounds like the close proximity to your roof is not hurting your performance. I am confident that I'll be able to mount the ST2 at least a foot off the roof, probably closer to 2 feet, so now the issue is whether or not touching the TV antenna will affect my reception.

Trap - Because of the design of the ST2, it will actually be offset about a foot from my mast. Here's a picture from the manual. The picture on the right is my TV antenna. I would estimate the distance from the roof to the top of the mast to be about 10 - 12 feet, so if I reach as high as I can, I'll be able to mount the ST2 so its top will be right about the same area as the TV antenna, and there will almost certainly be contact between the two antennas. If this doesn't affect the performance of the ST2, then I'm ok with that.

What I'd really like to know is by touching the TV antenna, will the reception performance of the ST2 be degraded?

I really wish I had a bucket truck, or the money to just pay someone to remove the TV antenna (but I just spent all my money on my scanner.) So, I'll need to either mount the ST2 as described above, or hold off getting an outdoor antenna until I can get the TV antenna removed.

 

[Rastaman147]

NG3PA - Didn't see your post

As I was replying to the 2 previous posters. The way I would have to mount the ST2, the two antennas will definitely rub when there is wind. So you are saying that there will be radio noise / interference when the two antennas touch?

I guess I'm better off just saving up a few $$ and having the TV antenna removed first. Thanks for your input!

 

[Techy]

I would do the same Rastaman, Have someone remove the old antennas, then you can do a clean and worry free install for the ST-2. Wished I was closer to you there in PA. My brother and I would remove that and install the ST-2 for you.

 

[N3GPA]

picture worth a thousand words

That picture helps a lot. Heck if i were you and did not want to spend money for someone to save the last couple of feet of mast I would just get up on the roof with a hacksaw and saw the mast off as high as i could comfortably and SAFELY.

Remember at the frequencies all the fun is in scanning five feet is many wavelengths avove the roofline. Do not get all wrapped up in minute details of antenna theory, you are using it to recieve, and it will be such a vast improvment over your existing setup. I guarantee you will be amazed at the difference.

That way you can save your money for some quality feed line

Good Luck!
Jen - N3GPA

 

[wingmaker]

I know I would for sure want that tv antenna off, I have a ST2 there very good antennas, I had the sputnik looking one and the ST2 from my expierence is by far better. What is the pole connected to on the ground and can you unloosen clamps and let it lay over some, and then someone and yourself tilt it over a little so you can reach the tv antenna, then take it off and put the ST2 on, then tilt back up and reclamp it? Have you thought about a tripod, you can get one for 20 or so or under. I had at one point a 3ft tripod with 1 at first, then 2 later on, top rails for steel fence, put together it worked good with the Sputnik and super awesome with the ST2. Theres many good people here we will try our best to help you
LOVE AND BLESSINGS

 

[Rastaman147]

I believe a hacksaw is my solution

Jen - Good idea. I think that will be my answer. I should be able to leave at least 6 feet of mast above the roofline, and I realized that I read the dimensions of the ST2 incorrectly -- It is 102", not 120" as I was thinking, so I should be able to get the bottom at least 2 feet off the roof surface, which should be plenty.

Wingmaker - The mast is a 1 inch steel pipe sitting inside of a 1/1/2 inch steel pipe. I do not know if the mast itself is secured in the ground or attached to the outside pipe or just sitting inside it. I was actually getting ready to do what you suggested and try to see if I could just lift it out and tip it over onto the ground, but now I am thinking that I'll be less likely to damage it if I just saw off the top like Jen suggested. You are definitely right about the forum members - You are all very helpful.

Well, this takes care of the easy part - I'll cut off the top of the mast and order my ST2, and start getting ready for the complicated part of wiring, grounding, splitting, etc. Meanwhile, I'm about halfway through the other thread below about the ST2, trying to get all the information I can, but I'm sure when it comes time to actually setting it up, I'll have more questions. Thanks again to all who replied -- You've been a great help!!

 

[Rt169Radio]

Is that line next to the antenna pole a power line or a cable line? Just wondering for safety reasons.

 

[Rastaman147]

Rt169 - It's a cable line

I see you are also using an ST2. Do you have an amplifier or filter or anything else in between, or do you just run the antenna cable directly to your scanner?

Either to protect my equipment, or to get a cleaner signal -- is there anything else you would recommend doing in all cases, or would my first step be to just set the antenna up per manufacturer directions and consider adding other components only if I have issues with the stock install?

 

[Rt169Radio]

I see you are also using an ST2. Do you have an amplifier or filter or anything else in between, or do you just run the antenna cable directly to your scanner?

Either to protect my equipment, or to get a cleaner signal -- is there anything else you would recommend doing in all cases, or would my first step be to just set the antenna up per manufacturer directions and consider adding other components only if I have issues with the stock install?

If your talking to me, I just run the coax cable directly to my scanner. I would just put up the antenna as the directions say and test it for a half-a-week or a week to see how much you can pick up. And then start from there.

 

[wingmaker]

Jen - Good idea. I think that will be my answer. I should be able to leave at least 6 feet of mast above the roofline, and I realized that I read the dimensions of the ST2 incorrectly -- It is 102", not 120" as I was thinking, so I should be able to get the bottom at least 2 feet off the roof surface, which should be plenty.

Wingmaker - The mast is a 1 inch steel pipe sitting inside of a 1/1/2 inch steel pipe. I do not know if the mast itself is secured in the ground or attached to the outside pipe or just sitting inside it. I was actually getting ready to do what you suggested and try to see if I could just lift it out and tip it over onto the ground, but now I am thinking that I'll be less likely to damage it if I just saw off the top like Jen suggested. You are definitely right about the forum members - You are all very helpful.

Well, this takes care of the easy part - I'll cut off the top of the mast and order my ST2, and start getting ready for the complicated part of wiring, grounding, splitting, etc. Meanwhile, I'm about halfway through the other thread below about the ST2, trying to get all the information I can, but I'm sure when it comes time to actually setting it up, I'll have more questions. Thanks again to all who replied -- You've been a great help!!

I was just wondering if it could be tipped to the side, just enough where you can stand on the roof with You and Someone else and reach the tv antenna to take it off and put the other on, not laying all the way down just tilted from straight up and down so you can reach it, all in all though whatever you think will work easiest for ya Brother that is what I would go with Good Luck, I know it will be all good.
Be Careful LOVE AND BLESSINGS