my main concern is the overhead power lines that are near the intended installation site.
you guys in the Palm Springs area get some very strong winds, and if that antenna broke in the wind and hit those power lines, your world would be F!@%ed!.
it would be best to choose another side of the house to mount the antenna on so it cant hit the power lines if it falls.
also, with the antenna being only about 15 feet off the ground, you are going to be overloading your neighbors' TV's, computer speakers, etc...
you need to get that IMAX up more than 30 feet at the base of the antenna.
your chances of ever having a QSO with your dad with that setup are VERY slim.
this is not to say you shouldnt try, heck, we always need more radio heads. LOL
seriously though, even if skip conditions are just right to communicate from CA to WA, you are going to be covered up by all the other stronger stations out there.
your best bet is to try a channel that is outside the normal 40 channels, but even then, there will be other stations on those freqs.
you might be wondering exactly what type of setup you would need to have a good chance of reaching your dad when the skip conditions permit.
well, first off, you should have a beam antenna. that beam antenna needs to be up in the air at least 40-50 feet. you would also want an amplifier.
500 watts+ would be good.
if you had a setup like this, you would stand a decent chance of making the contact when the skip conditions permit.
we all have to start somewhere, and i wish you the best with your current setup.
who knows, you might get lucky!
just be sure to be safe!!!
LC
