Would like some advice on high to hang my dipole 11meter antenna?

[norkyanthony]

Ive attached a link to amazon for the dipole I purchased. It got pretty good reviews and is made is U.S.A. However, I like to know how to hang this thing? I was thinking a long pvc pipe and put a metal hook at the end of it and hook the dipole onto the hook and extend the wires downward at a 45 degree angle. The pvc pipe would be on the side of a 2 by 4 fence post with some strong zip ties. Now, Am NOT planning on leaving this thing out there, only using it when I want to play around and taken down and put into my garage the majority of the time. So look at this dipole and let me know......https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Meter-Dipole-Antenna-Balun/dp/B01CYKFU4Y/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=dipole+antenna+11+meter&qid=1595987696&sr=8-2

Ive also attached a photo of how i have it up against my fence high in the air with zip ties using pvc pipe. Any advice to better this thing? take a look at the dipole an amazon.. also will a metal hook mess at the end of the pvc pipe mess with reception?

 

[prcguy]

An antenna will have its best pattern towards the horizon at multiples of 1/2 wavelength off the ground. The first half wavelength off the ground or about 18ft for CB will still point a bit upward with a full wavelength or 36ft being a little more at the horizon and at some point many wavelengths up you will get most of the energy at the horizon. If you put your antenna at 1/4 wave off the ground or about 9ft, most of the energy will go straight up.

Since its an inverted V and there is more radiation near the feedpoint vs the ends, I would try and get the feedpoint maybe 20ft off the ground so the first 1/3 or so of the antenna is centered about 18ft off the ground. Unless you can easily get to 36ft, then do that.

 

[norkyanthony]

Dont understand mostly anything you said. But ill run this buy somebody. Thank you! I wish you could do a pic for me. Lol

 

[prcguy]

Bottom line for your type of antenna, try and put the center of your antenna where the coax connects at about 20ft off the ground for your first choice, or about 38ft off the ground if you can get it up that high.

Dont understand mostly anything you said. But ill run this buy somebody. Thank you! I wish you could do a pic for me. Lol

 

[norkyanthony]

Ok that sounds better. How should i have the wires? And can i use a long pvc pipe or i ca use my garage Roof?

 

[norkyanthony]

I mean. Should i point them down at a 45 degree angle or straight across?

 

[prcguy]

It depends on who you want to talk to, locals on base stations and mobiles or distant skip? For locals you would want to hang the entire antenna vertical with the middle point where the coax attaches at about 18 or 36ft off the ground. As a compromise, an inverted V with the wires going down at 45deg angles will work somewhat for locals and great for skip. If you make the entire wire antenna horizontal it will be great for skip and lousy for locals.

I mean. Should i point them down at a 45 degree angle or straight across?

 

[WB9YBM]

It would probably work at least slightly better if it were straight across, if possible (instead of at 45 degree angles). As far as height goes, there's an ancient antenna proverb: "Height is Might" (range gets better the higher it is, assuming a good quality of coax). Leaving it up permanently might help a bit, too: less mechanical wear & tear that could lead to something braking.

 

[W9WSS]

50+ years ago when I was attending radio classes, one of our instructors said that there were three major factors in determining the feasibility and performance of installing a base station antenna:

1) Antenna height
2) Antenna height
3) Antenna height

 

[WB9YBM]

50+ years ago when I was attending radio classes, one of our instructors said that there were three major factors in determining the feasibility and performance of installing a base station antenna:

1) Antenna height
2) Antenna height
3) Antenna height

A bit over-simplified (and pilfered from real estates' "location, location, location"), but definitely right on. There's also coax loss to consider for long runs--and I'm sure others who read this are going to (at least think of, if not mention) additional nit-picky points...

 

[prcguy]

That was 50yrs ago, we know more stuff now. If you take a reading off the OPs antenna at 18ft off the ground at the horizon at some distance and raise the antenna 9ft you will have less signal at the horizon because more of it will go up at a higher lobe. Raise it to 36ft and the lobe will be down closer to the horizon again. Raise it from 36ft to 48ft and you will loose signal at the horizon again.

Antenna height is important but the correct height is most important until you get enough wavelengths off the ground were the ground effects diminish.

50+ years ago when I was attending radio classes, one of our instructors said that there were three major factors in determining the feasibility and performance of installing a base station antenna:

1) Antenna height
2) Antenna height
3) Antenna height