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Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 647
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2005 - 6:25 pm: | 
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Tech 833
I am thinking about putting up a 17-meter dipole, and was told I could just tack it down on top of the second story of the house. That wire antennas can be pretty much put anywhere including under the rain gutters of a house. I do not have a clue if this is true or not, and know that you will have the right answer even if I don't like it.
Honestly the easiest way for me to put it up is on the house, which is about 25 feet at the top center, and droops down to about 20 feet at the ends. This way I could use my favorite band with the east west configuration that would benefit my station the most.
I'm hoping this will work since I can’t get up a tree and don’t have the room to plant two non-metalic masts.
Thanks in advance
Bob
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2052
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 10, 2005 - 7:34 am: |
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bob im with you on 17 meters and if it works let me know. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 943
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - 2:15 am: |
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Well.....
If there is nothing metallic near it (i.e. rain gutters, roof edging, vent pipes, etc.) then I would say 'O.K.'. However, in order for a dipole to work and match properly, it really should be mounted above the roof. Use some wood or plastic/fiberglass stakes to prop it up a foot or two above the roof. |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 652
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - 3:58 am: |
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Sure will Bruce.
If this works out the results would be half wave or better performance on 10,11,12,15,and 17 meters.
I'm planing on buying a Spr-Ro VS-64 sloper to cover 20 meters and above, but I'm not sure if it's going to like the tight quarters in my yard. It would only have about 2 feet of clearance from my house, and about 6 feet on the other side to the neighbors house. I've e-mailed Spi-Ro asking about the space limitations, but haven't heard back from them yet so I'm waiting on them before I buy the sloper.
But if it does work it will be pointed east, and I understand there not that directional so I'm hoping it might shoot out over the Pacific too.
Anyway I'll glady let you know how the 17-meter dipole works out.
Thanks for asking Bruce
73
Bob
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Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 653
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 6:10 pm: |
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Thanks Tech833.
I figured that would probably be the case, but thought I would ask since it would be the easiest way to get the antenna up.
But I have another question.
Spi-Ro and Alpha Delta have told me that the slopers I was hoping to use will not work in my situation. Alpha Delta said their antennas are designed to work off of a tower with an antenna at the top. And Spi-Ro has basically said that the close proximity of the house to the antenna would cause problems with using their antenna.
So I’ve decided to try to use a couple of Dipoles.
I’m thinking about using a 40 meter shortened dipole, and a 17-meter dipole.
I’m hoping the 40-meter will give me a 1/4 wave performance on 80 meters, and believe it should work on 20 meters with a tuner, but I do not have the ARRL handbook, and am just guessing about this.
I guess at this point I really should put out the few dollars to get the answers for myself, and I will. But if you could advice me here I would appreciate it.
Thanks as always
Bob
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 952
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 2:30 pm: |
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Hmmm...
Well.. I wish I had some great answer, but I do not. A trapped vertical may be your answer and just run ground wires all over the place wherever you can. Check out the Hustler 5BTV or the 6BTV. They get great reviews. Hey, Copper is a Hustler distributor, aren't they? Maybe Copper could sell you one! I wouldn't mind buying a 5BTV to check out myself. |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 655
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 11:01 pm: |
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Tech833
Thanks Paul
I really appreciate the time and thought you've put in on this for me. But for now I think I keep using the I-Max, and probably buy a 20 and a shortened 40-meter dipole. That will give me average or better coverage on 10,12,15,20 and 40m, with acceptable coverage on 17 meters.
Eventually I'll probably end up with some type of vertical, but everything I’ve seen so far is narrow on 80 meters and in most cases the WARC bands too. I was thinking about the Titan DX but it only has 100KHz of bandwidth on 80, 17, and 12 meters and is pretty short on 10 meters too.
I've just been trying to find a way to get general coverage ASAP with the smallest out put of cash. Since I need to let the sting of two new radios and three antennas and several microphones heal before I go for a good multi-band antenna. It's just a shame I don't have the room here for any of the less expensive multi-band wire antennas that are available.
So thanks again and hope you’re having a great 2005.
73
Bob
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Kj7gs
New member
Username: Kj7gs
Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 11:56 pm: |
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Do you have any trees or supporting structures nearby to put up a half-square? Very small amount of cash outlay for a "poor-man's beam" in 2 directions. Use fishing line and standoffs to make nearly invisible halyards to bring the corners up & down in minutes. I made several of 'em a few years ago, pulled them out in the evenings & on weekends to make all my contacts, then rolled them up & placed in ziplock bags when done. |
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