Ham Radio Antenna Tower Installation

Posted : admin On 22.08.2019

Ham Radio Antenna Tower Installation
Ham Radio Tower Antenna Installation

Use materials that match easily. Antennas can be made from many different materials. Remember that you should use metal of similar nature, as dissimilar metals have a tendency to corrode, or to have a non-conductive properties. Metals such as copper, aluminum, tin, and steel all will conduct electricity, but when we are talking about Radio Frequency, or RF currents and voltages, we are talking about 'Skin Effect' electricity. Aluminum antenna wire is hard to work with, has a very easy breaking point, and oft times, stretches out of shape, and cannot be soldered using conventional solder. Aluminum wire is not expensive, but it is the least desirable wire for antenna use. Copper house wire prices have skyrocketed in the recent months. Finding old house wire is the best choice. Diameter of 12 gauge wire is about 1/8th inch thick. Its not hard to work with, and is probably the best antenna metal. Tin wire, used for electric fence purposes make an excellent wire antenna, and it is not to expensive. The only draw back is that you have to purchase it in either ¹⁄₄ or ¹⁄₂ mile (0.4 or 0.8 km) rolls. If you plan on building several antennas, you should have no problem with this large roll of wire.

Maybe you're a ham radio operator setting up a new rig, or maybe you're just a guy who wants to stop paying $80 to $120 per month for satellite TV and still get your digital, high-definition television fix by tuning in over-the-air HDTV broadcasts from your local TV stations. With a 20-foot antenna tower, you'll have much better results trying to pull in those faraway stations that were impossible to receive with your old pair of rabbit ears. Our 20-foot antenna mast will require 25 feet of mast pipe so that the base of the mast can be buried for good electrical grounding and stability.

Dependent upon the type of antenna to be installed, there will be a variety of different guidelines or hints and tips that are applicable. Some antennas may be domestic television antennas, others may be CB or ham radio antennas, whilst others could be for professional applications.

Step 1

Decide where to install your antenna tower. Make sure it's far away from overhead utility lines (especially power lines) to avoid electrocution hazards. You'll be burying the base of the antenna mast between 2 and 8 feet below grade, depending upon local building and electrical codes. The antenna mast should be erected right next to the roof fascia or gable end so an antenna mast mounting bracket can be attached there. Hand-dig your hole (about 8 to 12 inches in diameter) with a post-hole digger or shovel before attaching the mounting bracket. This way you can ensure your hole and bracket won't have to be moved due to a conflict with an underground utility line, tree root or boulder.

Step 2

Figure out the bracket mounting location. Do this by using the bracket and a plumb bob to dry-fit the bracket at the correct spot, directly over the hole you just dug. Mark the proper bracket-mounting location with a pencil. This way you'll make sure the mast will be plumb when it is installed in the hole.

Step 3

Mix up a small batch of concrete according to the package directions. Pour about 6 inches of concrete into the bottom of the hole and let it thoroughly set. This is the foundation upon which your antenna mast will rest; it will keep the mast from slowly sinking into soft sediments.

Step 4

Install the antenna mast mounting bracket to the fascia or gable at the marked location using the included hardware.

Step 5

Attach the assembled antenna to a section of mast pipe using the provided hardware. Make sure the antenna is mounted right-side-up, with the bottom of the antenna facing the male end of the antenna mast pipe.

Step 6

Spray the male ends of the mast pipe sections with WD-40 and fit the mast sections together. Attach the top section (with the antenna mounted to it) last. The WD-40 is optional, but it really makes it much easier to fit each mast section together securely, especially if you have no access to a helper for this step.

Step 7

Find a helper to help you raise the antenna. Ideally, one of you should be on the roof to grab the top of the antenna as you raise it up to roof height. The 'ground' person should then guide the bottom of the mast into the mast hole while the 'roof' person holds the mast against the roof mounting bracket. Then the 'ground' person checks the mast with the carpenter's level to make sure it's plumb.

Attach the mast to the roof mounting bracket using the supplied hardware. Before the final tightening of the nuts, check the plumb of the mast one more time. After the bracket hardware is tightened down, backfill the hole, tamping the soil into the hole as you go. The antenna assembly is now ready for final aiming and connection to the downlead wiring.

Warning

Wait for a nice, sunny day to do this installation. Don't let a windy or stormy day turn a nice weekend project into a senseless tragedy.