| Author |
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Beantown
| | Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 3:28 pm: | 
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To All,
I have purchased a used Topone Antenna and would like to mount this in my attic. Thank goodness for a very tall attic. Stealth being the operative word and it will only be used for local contacts. That being said, the house is a standard wood framed asphalt shingled roofing system. Antenna hieght to the top of the antenna from the ground when the antenna is stood up in the attic will be about 25 feet. I understand this is a top radiating antenna, correct? I also have read that this antenna is a great performer, when mounted under twenty five feet.
Now on to the mounting idea. I have a three foot tripod I plan on using to support the pole for the antenna. The tri pod will be attached to plywood and then to the ceiling joist to securley keep it up right. Are ya with me so far? LOL Now if the mounting plan appears to be ok, on with the cable. I am hopeing that 8 mini will sufice. The base is a Cobra 25 on a 20 amp power supply. Like I said local contacts only! The antenna will be located about 25 feet from the house grounding rod and I am planing on grounding the tripod and mounting pole to this ground. I plan on using #6 bare ground wire fom the antenna support to the grounding rod. Do I even need to ground the antenna?
Does anyone see anything I am missing? Or will this lame brain newbie idea even work? Any and all comments are welcome.
Thanks,
Beantown
ADDED ON EDIT, I just found out that this is an original Avanti Astro Plane if it makes any difference |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 6:07 pm: |
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Beantown
This will work quite well for you. But don't expect much long distance local-talking. However, working some DX is possible. Also, since it will be "inside", I wouldn't worry about lightning strikes. Grounding may help with its performance and wouldn't hurt.
If there are other tennants living there, you may run into TVI problems. That also goes for close proximity neighbors. If this does in fact pose a problem, you can always try a Lowpass filter directly off the back of the radio. There are also other things you can try if you encounter this problem.
I'm sure you will be hearing from other "indoor" antenna users that have had actual experience with set-ups like this.
Lol. You are fortunate to have such a high attic. Good luck with this project.
Jeff, kc0gxz. |
Beantown
| | Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2004 - 7:28 am: |
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Jeff,
Thanks for the reply! No apartment building here, it actually our house. Wifey pooh just doesn't like the look of a tower or a pole on the outside of the house. Nice thing about where we live is the neighbors are spread out and all the house are brick with underground utilities so hopefully TVI won't be an issue! Darn attic is 15' to the top, I could actually put a Maco 104c up there on the flat if I wanted!  I'll let ya know how it works when im done.
See ya,
Beantown |
Keithinatlanta
Intermediate Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 234
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 6:39 pm: |
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Hey Beantown, how about an update. How did you come out on this project?
Keith in Atlanta
CEF 150 |
Beantown
Junior Member
Username: Beantown
Post Number: 28
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 10:04 am: |
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Keith,
Let me give ya an update. When, and I did say when, the antenna was in the attic. Local tx out to 20 miles was great, recieve on the other hand, had what I call a black hole from 20 to 110 miles out. Heck I could barely here Gabby Girl durng skip. Maybe thats not a bad thing! LOL TVI was very controlable under 150 watts PEP. Over that threshold and the wifey pooh let me know about it.
As of yesterday the antenna is now outside on a 30' pushup pole. I'm still in the process of getting my grounds correct. I will tell ya this, my TX is now pretty much nation wide on DX and the black hole has gone bye bye. The darn skip was coming in so bad I couldn't believe it. Oh and guess whos back, good ole Gabby in all her glory!
I have gained over 2DB local on bare foot and when the skips not rolling I run barefoot in high gear on the radio only. Contacts locally have tripled in RX and TX. One thing I will say as a close for now. A Astro Plane CAN and WILL work VERY well in an ATTIC!!!! To be continued.........
See ya,
Shane CEF 260
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