Yagi install question

[wildbillx]

Hello, I just got a Wilson 31111 Yagi antenna and had some questions about mounting. I am located in Cape May, nj about 5 blocks from the Del. bay. I am tring to pick up Salisbury, md trunked freq. I had read some people say turn it until you get the signal, some say get a map and aim it,... I would know do I keep it vertical or hor., how should I mount it and do you have any tricks, thanks I do have 50ft. of Times LMR400 and am limited to 25ft high.

 

[mtindor]

Hello, I just got a Wilson 31111 Yagi antenna and had some questions about mounting. I am located in Cape May, nj about 5 blocks from the Del. bay. I am tring to pick up Salisbury, md trunked freq. I had read some people say turn it until you get the signal, some say get a map and aim it,... I would know do I keep it vertical or hor., how should I mount it and do you have any tricks, thanks I do have 50ft. of Times LMR400 and am limited to 25ft high.

I'm guessing you mean a Wilson 301111 antenna. You should orient it so that the elements are vertical, not horizontal - land mobile communications are almost exclusively vertical.

Tune to a known active control channel for the trunked system you are attempting to pick up. Point the antenna in the general direction (longest elements are closest to you, shortest are farthest away from you). Once you start to hear the control channel you can move back and forth to get the best signal.

Keep in mind that at 800 mhz you'll find not only that pointing it in the right direction will increase your signal, but also you may find that moving yourself to a different location while pointing towards the site may yield better reception. We are dealing with very short wavelengths at 800 mhz, and its entirely possible to get a very solid signal while standing on the left side of your porch while pointing at the site and then getting significantly less signal strength standing 20 feet away on the right side of your porch while pointing at the site. This is why its even more important to know what direction to point the antenna to begin with, so you have that part figured out. Then you can move around to different locations around your house while pointing in the same general direction of the site in order to determine where you receive it best.

Mike

 

[fineshot1]

What will you be using to receive with? If your receiver has a signal strength indicator mount the antenna with the elements vertically as high as possible on Pipe w/ .5" to 1.5" Diameter(mounting plate is on the end of the yagi boom) and punch in the control channel to one of your un-used memory channels and hook it up to your receiver. Now loosen up the bolts on the mount and spin it until it reaches about 160 degrees(that looks like the direction on the map to Salisbury) and peak the control channel signal strength or if you do not have a meter just find the two spots it fades out and put it in the middle. Hopefully it is not too far and you can hear the control channel. Good luck

Here are your antenna specs if you do not have them:

Wilson Yagi Antenna Specifications

* Frequency Range... 806-894 MHz
* Impedance............. 50 Ohms
* Antenna Gain........ 14 dBi @ 855 MHz
* Max. Power............50 Watts
* Radiation............... Directional
* Polarization........... Vertical or Horizontal
* Wavelength........... 2 Wavelengths 806-894 MHz
* Ground Plane........ Built in Ground Plane

Mechanical Properties:

* Elements............... 8
* Connecter.............. N-Female
* Material................. Aluminum
* Length.................. 32.5"
* Height................... 7.5"
* Mounting.............. Mounts on Pipe w/ .5" to 1.5" Diameter

 

[rubenyona]

Mounting Yagi Antenna

Wilson's Yagi Antenna 301111 should have come with some kind of mounting hardware. It is very commonly mounted on a poll using the provided U-Bracket. Here is a link if you need more help or other mounting options:

Mounts for Antennas - Wilson Cellular - GetReception.com

 

[wildbillx]

Thanks for all your input I will be installing it tonight on a pole.

 

[foxtrotyankee]

vertical mount only for 800mhz