Most Effective Installation Method

[caucapon]

I am trying to ascertain what installation method would serve me best. In another thread, I received advice regarding appropriate antennas for my situation. If I decide to go the high ticket and probably safest route, I'll use one DB8e (12 lbs.) and one CS600 (3 lbs.).

I live in a retirement community (HOA) rancher with its peak 16.5' above ground. Reception is primarily two edge until the antennas are elevated to 20'. At 23', all critical stations are LOS. There is the possibility that I'll need to go that high to assure good and reliable reception. I am aware that even 23' might not be enough, despite my TVfool's 23' report,

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5b94e9e5ca5e74

Assuming that I need to elevate 7', should I

- simply pick up a 10' mast and an eave installation kit

- Purchase a 5' tripod and 5' mast

- Buy a 30' telescoping mast to be used from the ground up

- Use some other method of your choosing?

As is the case with many, I am hesitant to put holes into my roof, even using 2x4 extensions under the installation bolts.

While the eave mounting system is inexpensive and relatively simple, I am suspicious of its ability to within 70-80 mph winds, particularly because they tend to come in over the pond located behind us. There is nothing there to limit that wind's force.

The telescoping answer seems safest. It is, however, the most in-your-face method where neighbors are concerned.

In reading various threads, blogs, etc. regarding antenna installation methods, I've been struck by how variable opinion is. Instructions on Denny's site indicate that tripod installs are the most popular and most stable. Many others generally advise against using tripods at all. Some feel that simply placing a ground-based mast on a surface-level brick/stone is all that's needed; others state that a 2' to 4' hole filled with concrete is the only way to go. Etc., etc. In the end, almost everyone seems to get his/her antenna up one way or another.

Any wise comments based on experience would be appreciated.

Al

[Stereocraig]

If I didn't have the option to install a Rohn tower. (I have two) I would go w/ the tripod mount.
I always recommend the 2X4 spreader strips underneath, too.

You should drill pilot holes first,so you don't risk snapping a lag bolt.

Don't worry about the neighbors, or those silly HOA rules, they are meaningless and unenforceable and the HOAs know it.
They just hope that you don't.

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule

[stvcmty]

- Purchase a 5' tripod and 5' mast


I would get a 5’ tripod and a 10’ piece of chain link fence top rail. You can get the 10’ piece of chain link fence top rail from a local home improvement store (saving you the dimensional weight shipping charge for a mast section.)

The FCC rule protects your right to put up an antenna support up to 12’ above your roof. The 5’ tripod and 10’ pole lets you get right to the limit of your 12’ right.

The install would start with:
Unfold tripod on roof to see how tall it is given your roof pitch. Measure from the bottom mast support on the tripod to the peak of the roof. Subtract that length from 12’. That will tell you how much mast you need for the top of your mast to be 12’ above your roof. Then cut the 10’ piece of fence rail to that length.

Make sure to ground your tripod/mast with a heavy wire to a ground rod that is either part of your electrical service ground or bonded to your electrical service ground.

[caucapon]

Thanks for the two answers above. Both respondents favor a tripod install. As I indicated previously, that seems to be the preferred method on Denny's site (Hd Stacker, etc.) too.

I had hoped that there would be a comment or two regarding other methods. While I don't disagree that a tripod install done properly is stable and reasonably inexpensive, the ground level to peak mast has real appeal. No roof damage, inexpensive, and hopefully stable if done right. Three 10' 6" swedged 17 gauge poles from home depot installed about 2' below ground and held by two or more 4" wall mount brackets should run about $50. I already have a bag of concrete mix left over from a previous project. Using this method, the grounding cable would be short and inexpensive as well.

I'll reflect on this a bit more. There may well be valid reasons why all votes are for the tripod.

[teleview]

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I recommended the , tripod , eave , chimney mount , because they are simple.

Yes the Tv antenna can be installed other ways and the pole up the side of the house from the ground up is a good way to install a antenna.

Home Depot and Lowes have , Top Rail , chain link fence Pipe 10 foot lengths that is good for antenna mast.

[stvcmty]

I don’t know if it is applicable in your case, but the tripod has the advantage of flexible location. A typical peak straddling tripod can go anywhere along the peak of the roof so a “sweet spot” can be found for reception (particularly important if there are trees around.)

An eave mount must be installed on an eave, so if the signal is good at any of the eaves, it is great, otherwise it limits location choices.

If you put 3 10’ poles together, make sure they are electrically bonded. A high impedance/resistance joint between them could cause lightening to jump into the house to find an easier path to ground.

Do you have an above ground or below ground electric service? If above ground, where do you plan to mount your antenna relative to the service wires? Following best engineering practices, if you have an above ground electrical service, you would want a 30’ mast to be 60’ from any power lines. (Additionally check applicable laws, some jurisdictions want a 30’ mast to be 30’ or 60’ from the property line.)

[tonyp063]

With the tripod, you have a lot more flexibility as to antenna location. Sometimes a few feet makes the difference between marginal and solid signals.

You can move the tripod all along the ridgeline (within reason) to find the sweet spot. Just test different places before anchoring.

With the eave mount, you're kind of stuck with one location & that might not be optimum.

[GroundUrMast]

I agree, the proposed mounting location should be tested for reliable reception before committing to holes in any part of your house.

I have a tripod which is similar to most in that one leg bolt can be removed to allow the whole system to tilt over while maintaining control of the assembly. The top of the mast is roughly 12' above the roof peak and would be dangerous to service from any of my ladders. With the system tilted over (single-handedly) I have easy access to all the mast mounted hardware.

That said, I've used eve / gable mounts with great success. With the wall / eve brackets mounted below the height of the roof deck, a 10' mast section is short enough to service while standing on the roof, no ladder needed.