Need reception help in Iowa. - Page 2

GroundUrMast · 3-Nov-2013, 1:32 AM

It looks like you loose some signal strength, but not enough to expect a significant change in performance.

Go ahead, give the new antenna a test at the proposed location... Verify you can see acceptable results before you make holes in the house.

(If I was within driving distance, I'd offer to take a look at the tower... Oh well.)

3-Nov-2013, 1:41 AM

As a test of reception can lay the antenna on top of a chimney or temporary lash a pipe to the side of a the chimney so that the pipe rises above the chimney.

Or can straddle a Wooden chairs leges across the peak of the roof and lay the antenna on the seat of the wooden chair.

Or a tripod antenna mount over the peak of the roof.

isufan · 2-Dec-2013, 2:50 AM

I have decided to mount it on a pole that goes in the ground and attatches to the side of my house at the top of the roof area. Any ideas on what type of pipe to use ? Also what size to use also ID.

Thanks

2-Dec-2013, 3:02 AM

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Top Rail , Chain Link Fence Pipe , at Home Depot and Lowes , works excelent for that type antenna mounting.

And can also get what I call , 2 hole metal conduit clamp , a metal strap that goes over and around the pipe and has holes at each end of the strap to put screws through and into eave.

And can also drill a hole through the strap clamp and through the pipe , and put a long screw through in to the eave , this will keep the pipe from turning.

Clamp the pipe to the eave at the peak of the roof.

isufan · 2-Dec-2013, 3:04 AM

Great, How deep should it go in the ground ? Do I still need to ground the antenna even if it goes in the ground ? Thanks

2-Dec-2013, 9:01 PM

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As to how deep in the ground the pipe.

Put the pipe down into the ground at a depth that the ground will hold the pipe in place so the pipe will not move or swing out at the bottom.

As to how deep that is.

From a certain point of view the pipe could be put 10 feet or more into the ground.

However 6 inches is not deep enough.

GroundUrMast · 2-Dec-2013, 9:37 PM

If the mast is supported by attachment to the building, I wouldn't bother burying any of it in the ground. I would consider supporting the mast on a concrete pier block or similar solid material that would prevent the mast from sinking into soft soil.

Even if the mast is buried in the earth, I would still connect the mast to your electrical service ground, using #10 AWG copper. The idea is to bond (note) the mast to the same ground system that serves the rest of your electrical system. Then I would also install a grounding block for the coax... http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901 (post #20)

(note) The NEC defines Bonded (Bonding). "Connected to establish electrical continuity and conductivity."