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Message |
    
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 147
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:37 pm: | 
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OK, I am going to install the IMAX in the tree. I will spray paint it the color of the bark of the tree. As well, I will add the ground plane kit and spray paint that as well. I went to a local craft store and found fake leaves that they made which comes in 6 foot sections (Perfect for each ground plane fiberglass rod). These leave are made of plastic and on a kind of plastic chain that is 6 feet.
I will buy at least 4 of these. Any ideas on how to mount these things on the antenna and ground plane kit? I was thinking tie wraps, but wouldn't the tie wraps eventually snap and become brittle from the sun and cold winters? Any ideas? Thanks.
O yeah, another thing. I want to put the coax and ground strap in something and run this something down the tree straight to the ground, I figure it is better to do this rather than have the coax and ground strap get chaffed against the bark of the tree. Any ideas? I will be using copper starps (2") as well as the coax. Also, is it OK to run the coax and ground strap parralell to each other straight down the tree? Thanks again. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1697
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:28 am: |
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wont matter at all running the ground strap next to the coax. be just fine.
black cable ties are UV resistant, and its well worth the extra money to buy them from an electrical supply house instead of lowes or home depot. the electrical supply houses will have the better brands.
you could use these, or even bungee cords to hold the coax and strap in place.
even if you use some sort of covering like conduit, you're going to have to secure THAT to the tree. either way, i just think you really dont need the covering.
if i may make a suggestion, if you are going to run over 100' of coax, i would get LMR 400.
its the best stuff i have run across, and ever since trying it, i swear by it.
not too expensive either.
find a place that will do the ends for you.
as for the camo, judicious use of hot glue and black cable ties would be my recommendation.
you dont want that thing flying around way up there.
just remember that for a certain portion of the year; your green leaves are gonna look mighty funny up against a leafless tree.
make sure to test that plastic chain by cutting a link in half to see if there is a wire in the center.
there may be one for strength.
most likely, the materials that the leaves and chain are made out of will break down and discolor way before the cable ties even begin to weaken.
so how did you decide to get up to the top of that sucker?
matt |
Hollowpoint445
Senior Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 1239
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 8:52 am: |
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I'd worry about capacitance if the coax and the ground strap are close. For DC it wouldn't be much of an issue, but RF is AC and so is lightning. |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 148
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:22 am: |
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capacitance? Please explain? I was thinking of running the coax on one side of the tree and the ground strap (copper 2") on the other.
To kid vicious. If I get the bungee cords, should i get the all rubber ones with metal ends, or the ones that have like a nylon or I don't even know how to explain it type of covering?
Without any conduit, wouldn't the coax chaffe after awhile against the hard bark?
I plan on using 9913 (Actually cxp1318fx, which is direct burial, has slightly better shielding, and has the same specs as LMR-400-UF).
I plan on getting a 40 foot ladder and having some one help me. Any suggestions on where to buy a harness strap? Or should I just get some rope and tie it around my waist and the tree just in case the ladder falls even though someone will be there?
O yeah, The IMAX attatches to the mast with 2 u bolts, nuts, etc..Does anyone know if these bolts and U bolts and nuts are stainless steel? Is there something I can spray on them to increase their lifespan and make them more resistant to the elements? Thanks. |
Capt205
Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 96
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:03 am: |
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Jameslarson....My IMAX has been up in a pine tree over a year now. Painted to match the tree, and mounted on top of 30' of antenna pole, that is strapped to the tree every 3' with two cable ties.
The coax and ground wire(solid core #6) run down along the pole with the ground wire terminating at the ground rod pounded into the ground and the rod is clamped to the pole with the wire connected to the clamp.
I have had no issues with the coax or wire being exposed to the elements. However, if I were going to put it in something, I would use the grey pvc conduit. |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 150
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:12 pm: |
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You say strapped every 3 feet. What did you use to strap it every 3 feet? What type of paint did you use? Where did you buy it? What color? Thanks. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1516
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:46 pm: |
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What's going to happen when tree loses its
leaves and all you see is a outline of
a Imax with GPK which still has leaves.
 |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 151
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 2:07 pm: |
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PS--I plan on getting a 40 foot ladder and having some one help me. Any suggestions on where to buy a harness strap? Or should I just get some rope and tie it around my waist and the tree just in case the ladder falls even though someone will be there holding it?
PSSS-The IMAX attatches to the mast with 2 u bolts, nuts, etc..Does anyone know if these bolts and U bolts and nuts are stainless steel? Is there something I can spray on them to increase their lifespan and make them more resistant to the elements? Thanks. |
Capt205
Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 98
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 2:19 pm: |
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Went to the BIG ORANGE home supply store and bought the big grey cable ties, they were 3-4 feet long, but thick. Then I put 2 of them every 3 feet along the antenna pole.
For paint, I used 3 different colors, a grey, a natural looking green, and a tan, then just randomly sprayed the IMAX and the antenna poles in a camo type pattern. Let them dry overnight, then put it up. |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 152
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 2:56 pm: |
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Good question. I was just thinking that myself |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1517
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 4:24 pm: |
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Borrow a good harness or when using something
else, make sure it's secured good and
secured to a solid part of tree.
Instead of fake leaves, just paint it to
look like tree branches. Good Luck!
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Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 588
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 5:01 pm: |
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I love stealth antenna stories. 
...and Road warrior beat me to the winter month question!
Now you must add fake leaves to the rest of the tree as well...in small clusters to hide the antenna leaves.
To do it right you should also hot glue a few to the neighbors trees as well to keep them from looking at yours 
Know what?...forget the leaves Chief...hide the antenna within the tree and you'll never know its there when the leaves are GROWING naturally. When the NATURAL leaves fall off you'll have the camo Imax well hidden.
Sorry! but seeing the subject title had me cracking up before I even read the post! I Salute your enthusiasm SIR! |
Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 589
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 5:24 pm: |
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The crazy guy said:
PSSS-The IMAX attatches to the mast with 2 u bolts, nuts, etc..Does anyone know if these bolts and U bolts and nuts are stainless steel? Is there something I can spray on them to increase their lifespan and make them more resistant to the elements? Thanks.
Stainless...Test them with a magnet. Do they stick? No? Then if NOT aluminum they are likely stainless.
If they are magnetinc (non-stainless)then pick up a can of Rustolium and give them each 2-3 mild coats allowing to dry between coats.
YOU GO JAMES!
BTW..I'll never forget the sound of your 9ft whip (on your roof) slapping trees while you were talking to me on the radio.
Imax 2000 ............$150
Camo paint ...........$5 a can
Bag of fake leaves....$8
Hot glue gun..........$10
Painting the Imax realtree Camo ,gluing the leaves to it, carrying it up a 40ft ladder in the dead of night with a flashlight in your mouth and hiding it in a tree with zip ties risking your life and asking how to do it right JUST to deceive neighbors so you can get on the air..PRICELESS!
I'll buy the beer...lets get it done!
Practice this:
When the neighbors ask if YOUR hearing someone talking over your TV...say...Pffft...frikin helecopters..and walk away shaking your head....NEVER let them see you sweat and never let them see you look at your TREE!
Once again..your spirit is to be commended!
Let me know if you need help! |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 154
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 9:32 pm: |
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Hey Capt205, you said:
"For paint, I used 3 different colors, a grey, a natural looking green, and a tan, then just randomly sprayed the IMAX and the antenna poles in a camo type pattern. Let them dry overnight, then put it up."
What kind of paint was it? Spray paint? What manufacturer? Where was it bought? I'm sorry for the specific questions.
To Vanillagorilla (cool name BTW, where did you come up with it?). That is too funny (The mastercard spoof). If anyone here knows how to edit video, I'll film myself doing the whole procedure, and then you can edit the whole thing together with me at the end of it with my feet up on my desk shouting for DX. I'll use my mastercard to purchase all the items.
Now that I think about it, I am taking a risk just to get on the air. Oh well. I love the CB. |
Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 590
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 5:05 am: |
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BIG ORANGE home supply that Capt205 refers to MUST be Homey Deposit. 
There is an ACE Hdw on Vets hwy that sells Camo brand spray paint in all your favorite "can't see me now" colors.
I think its krylon that now produces a paint over plastic paint as well for your PVC coax liner...I saw that in Aid stores. |
Capt205
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 102
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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Jameslarson, The paint was spray paint, Rust-Oleum American Accents...Nutmeg Satin, Hunt Club Green Satin, and the grey I'm out of but it was also the American Accents Satin grey in color.
Vanillagorilla is correct on the store (HOME DEPOT) where I bought it. |
