| Author |
Message |
    
Jameslarson
New member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 10:02 pm: | 
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Hi all. If you have your antenna posted in a tree, please post it here along with specifics (How you did it, what type of antenna, etc..). Thanks.
Moderator Note!
Please do not post any pictures here in this topic. Post all Pictures in the Topic/Area titled:
Members Pictures
Here is a Area for you to post Pictures ONLY. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1401
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 10:20 pm: |
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there are some members who have their antennas in trees in the members picture area.
im not sure which ones though.
using conduit strapped to the tree as a mast going all the way to the ground seems to be a popular way of doing this.
matt |
Capt205
Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 76
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 11:23 pm: |
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I will post pics of my IMAX in a pine tree later...It is currently up 40' on antenna pole which is cable tied to the tree with two ties every three feet. There is a #6 solid ground cable connected to the antenna mount, then run down the pole to an 8'ground rod driven into the ground. The rod is close enough that the antenna pole and the ground rod are clamped togather, and the #6 is connected to the clamp.
The coax is rg213,the run is 175' and it is buried from the tree to where it meets the house. There it is connected to a polyphaser in a weather proof houseing. It then enters the house, where it is connected to an assortment of equipment, all of which is grounded to a buss bar on the back of my desk, grounded to a ground rod just outside my office window(near the polyphaser) That rod is in turn connected to the ground rod which was already in place next to my electric company meter (approximitly 25').
So far, I have had no problems, and no bleeding into ANYTHING in my house, nor any of the houses near me, and I have asked them. |
Jameslarson
New member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
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WOW. You say cable tied every 3 feet and the antenna is 40' up? how did you get up there in the 30-40' area and put the straps on? Ladder? Also, you say a buss bar goes to a ground rod just outside, and then from that rod to an electrical ground rod. Did you then go from the electrical ground rod back to the ground rod for your antenna to make it "complete"? Thanks. |
Capt205
Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 78
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
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I used a ladder for the first 20', then climbed the branches (very slowly) for the rest.
I did not tie the ground back to the antenna ground rod. I was not aware that I should have done this. Is that critical? I have not had any problems, but if that is the correct way to ground the system, then I guess I have a project for this weekend. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1412
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 11:41 pm: |
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capt205,
first off, nice install!
in reading the thread though; i asked the same question james did.
to create a true "single point ground", which is what you want; you do need to run a length of solid heavy gauge copper wire from the shack ground rod to the antenna ground rod.
or you could run the wire from the house AC ground to the antenna ground rod; whichever is shorter and easier to do.
as long as all three ground rods are connected to eachother (not through the coax sheild), then you are good.
also, that polyphaser should be connected to the shack ground rod if it is not already.
good luck,
matt |
Yankee
Senior Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 1136
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 4:12 pm: |
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I for one do not approve of mounting an antenna in a tree. Reasons: 1.high wind can and will cause damage to trees, and it's possible that you've had a damaged antenna or it's on the ground, along with the tree or on top of your house.
2: lightning strikes can also cause the same thing, taking the antenna to the ground, again the tree along with it.
3. if you live where it's real cold and freezing in the winter, and you get a sudden ice storm and the tree limbs freeze,again you might find your antenna broken or on the ground along with the tree limbs that have broken off. |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 270
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 7:44 pm: |
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Why hang your antenna in the tree when you can make the tree your antenna.
Drive two large nails into the tree trunk about 1" apart and about 8ft above ground. Connect your coax to the nail with the inner going to the high nail.
Attach your radio via a ATU and adjust the tuner and the nail spacing for best match.
Try it. The bets contact I have had is 200 miles on 80m using a 50ft eucalyptus and 20ws of RF. |
