| Author |
Message |
    
852
Junior Member
Username: 852
Post Number: 19
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 10:46 pm: | 
|
someone take me to antennas 101, when mounting a Imax in a pine tree, does the whole antenna need to be above the tree? If not how much of it does need to be? |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1275
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 11:00 pm: |
|
the base of the antenna really needs to be above the top of the tree by a foot or more.
if you have the base of it in the tree; my GUESS is that when wet; it will raise SWR.
if you do mount it there; make sure to ground it really well!!!
there are others on here who have done this with other antennas, and maybe this one.
do a keyword search on this forum for "tree mounted antenna" or something similar, and reap all the posts.
also read up on grounding.
matt |
Capt205
Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 56
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 9:42 am: |
|
I have mine mounted up in a pine here in Florida. The feed point is about 1-2 feet below the very top of the tree. The antenna is mounted to sections of antenna pole that are strapped to the tree.
I also have a ground wire running from the antenna mount down to a ground rod pounded into the ground at the base of the tree/pole, and the wire is connected to the rod with a ground clamp which is clamped around the pole also.
Been up a year now, so far, no lightning strikes (Florida is the lightning capitol of the world) and I have followed the station grounding recomendations posted elsewhere in this site, and as such, I am not causeing any interference to anything in my house, or others on my block.
I painted the IMAX a camo type pattern, to try and blend with the area behind the house, as I live in a deed restricted developement. If you did not know it was there, you would never see it. |
Viking
Intermediate Member
Username: Viking
Post Number: 233
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 4:05 pm: |
|
When you cut the top of the tree for the antenna, you will want to trim (remove) the branches several feet below it. If the pine is like my fir, it will grow up a new point/tree-top. Through, in, on and around the antenna. |
852
Junior Member
Username: 852
Post Number: 41
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 03, 2006 - 6:39 pm: |
|
Capt. 205,
Does your SWR rise when it is wet? With the feedpoint below the tip of the tree? |
Capt205
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 103
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 8:28 pm: |
|
No, the swr has not changed in over a year, wet or dry. I did ad some new zip ties this past weekend to account for the tree diameter growth. |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 900
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 10:43 pm: |
|
Just put it on a pole and enjoy. The Imax will work fine even if the whole antenna is not above the top of the tree. I know, I had one in a tree over a year.
mikefromms |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 667
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 2:50 am: |
|
Be careful in topping trees, you can kill them. I have lost every tree I have ever had an antenna in with one due to lightning. Something to think about. Maybe even RF has something to do with the Pine trees I used. Maybe Pines present more of a problem, not sure. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1573
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 11:06 am: |
|
Yesterday when we dropped off my wifes car
to get it inspected at a garage which is
located back in a wooded area. I saw a strange
looking tree that was about 80ft tall, it
had no branches for the first 65ft up and only
had a few up near the top. I thought WOW!
natures own tower
But, personally i would stay away from putting antennas up in trees. But, to each his own... |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 444
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 12:04 pm: |
|
lol thats funny but we think alike i dont do trees either |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 169
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 12:11 pm: |
|
Marconi, are you theorizing that the RF from the antenna may have broken down/killed the tree over some time? Interesting if that is the case. I hope not, because I am planning on putting an IMAX in a tree. Thanks. |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 669
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 2:17 pm: |
|
Of course I am theorizing here, but I have several accounts of pines in particular that died after placing antennas in them. I have had three trees die on me, one was due to lightning, one may have been due to topping out, but the third just died an turned brown near where the antenna radiated which was about 15' above the mounting location right at the top. I have been told by others, similar stories as we have millions of pines here in the Gulf Coast area of Texas.
Just something to think about, because I'm not sure. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1575
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 8:53 pm: |
|
My neighbor had her pines topped about 4-5
years ago, they all seem to be dying now.
4 pine trees. My antenna is near 2 of them.
Probably about 12 ft away and 10-12ft over
them. Not sure how old they would be.
I asked her today when she was outside and
telling me shes having someone cut them down.
Shes lived there since 1975 and they were there then. |
