Need help with a base antenna mount

[nwadler]

I want to put up a fixed antenna for my scanner at home but not sure what to do. I already know what antenna I am going to get but cant figure out how I am going to mount it. Money is an issue so the cheaper the better and I need an outside mount because the signal is to weak when mounted interior. Two story house out in the country has a clear line of sight to almost all the towers in the other county. Any sugestions would be great.

 

[LarrySC]

A good outside antenna does not have to be high to work good. If you can get by with 20' of mast then: Put one foot in the ground, and bolt mast to edge of roof somewhere between 12-14 feet. If you must take the antenna down later then it should not be a big project. The main idea here is to get the antenna out of the house where other electronic items could block incoming scanner signals. Good Luck, Larry

 

[nwadler]

Any recomendations as to type of antenna or pole. If it is stuck in the ground then I dont need to run a lightening protector do I. One more question how do you terminate the end of the cable with a normal canner bnc connection. Any help to these is much appreciated.

 

[K5MAR]

If you have a chimney, get a mount with the stainless steel straps that attaches to it. If not, then get a tripod roof mount. Both of these are, or were, available at Radio Shack. If not, other dealers carry these items. Radio Shack also sells BNC connectors.

"Lightning Protectors" don't really protect against lightning strikes, at least not direct ones, but are a good idea to protect your equipment from nearby strikes. I would recommend their use, no matter what method of installation you use.

Mark S.

 

[LarrySC]

The Scantenna is popular. It's a cut down version of the Channel Master which is no longer made. I would never consider the tripod because I would never nail anything into my roof. The Scantenna is a 300ohm antenna and requires RG-6 75ohm coax using a 4:1 balun transformer that comes with the antenna. Put "F" on end of coax and f to BNC on scanner or put a twist-on BNC on coax. A special cutting tool and crimp tool is a must for the scannist tool box. Good Luck, Larry

 

[LarrySC]

The Scantenna is popular. It's a cut down version of the Channel Master which is no longer made. I would never consider the tripod because I would never nail anything into my roof. The Scantenna is a 300ohm antenna and requires RG-6 75ohm coax using a 4:1 balun transformer that comes with the antenna. Put "F" on end of coax and f to BNC on scanner or put a twist-on BNC on coax. A special cutting tool and crimp tool is a must for the scannist tool box. Good Luck, Larry

 

[LarrySC]

The Scantenna is popular. It's a cut down version of the Channel Master which is no longer made. I would never consider the tripod because I would never nail anything into my roof. The Scantenna is a 300ohm antenna and requires RG-6 75ohm coax using a 4:1 balun transformer that comes with the antenna. Put "F" on end of coax and f to BNC on scanner or put a twist-on BNC on coax. A special cutting tool and crimp tool is a must for the scannist tool box. Good Luck, Larry