Base antenna

[jessejamesdallas]

I do live in hills and hollars I'm just on top of hill compared to the town where I live. What would be a good antenna? The one I'm putting up is a Shakespeare it was give to me a few years back but would like to upgrade

Depends...If you want a good omni- antenna, something that you don't have to mess with, MaCo has the V-5/8 ground plane antenna that can handle 1200w's (V-5000 same antenna only rated to 5000w's) ... just stick it up on a pole, and your good to go!

If your looking for a beam type antenna MaCo has a 3 element that you can get for about $150...It can be mounted vertically or horizontally...Plus with a beam type antenna you will also need a rotor so you can point the antenna in the direction you want to hear and talk...A beam antenna will cut down on allot of the clutter you hear since they are directional.

The MaCo Shooting Star like I have is both vertical and horizontal so you need to runs of coax to it, and a switch at the radio so you can switch between the two polarity's...Vertical is what you want for local talk...Horizontal works best (usually) for DX contacts.

MaCo Shooting Star is a medium size beam antenna with a 16' boom, but you would still need plenty of room, and a good tower to support it...

 

[Jugge265]

Is a solarcon a-99 a decent antenna to start with? I have always had a radio in my truck but this is first base setup I have had.

 

[Jugge265]

What brand of tower do you recommend?

 

[Unit 194]

Is a solarcon a-99 a decent antenna to start with? I have always had a radio in my truck but this is first base setup I have had.

The A99 is a great antenna to start with, and so is the IMAX 2000.

 

[jessejamesdallas]

What brand of tower do you recommend?

"FREE" Tower's are always the best! Check around your neighborhood and see if there might be any old CB towers standing in peoples back yards that aren't being used anymore...chances are the person living in the house might let you take it down!....

check Craig's List for towers people are wanting to get rid of in your area.

If your going to buy New, be prepared to drop another grand just for a tower...

 

[Jugge265]

I will look at the imax 2000 I haven't heard of that one thanks for the input

 

[Jugge265]

I will look around for a tower. I looked tgem up and they are pretty high.

 

[Jugge265]

Do I need a tower for a antenna like the a99 or imax2000 or is the towers for antenna like the one you have. What is good height to look for?

 

[543_Dallas]

Do I need a tower for a antenna like the a99 or imax2000 or is the towers for antenna like the one you have. What is good height to look for?

A telescoping mast will work fine with either antenna. You have to guy it properly or it will fail. I would shoot for 30-40 feet.

 

[Unit 194]

Do I need a tower for a antenna like the a99 or imax2000 or is the towers for antenna like the one you have. What is good height to look for?

My Imax 2000 is chimney mounted and so was my A99.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Do I need a tower for a antenna like the a99 or imax2000 or is the towers for antenna like the one you have. What is good height to look for?

Some people put them in a tree. Seventy feet up in a pine tree would work well.

 

[Jugge265]

I got 2 12ft road sign post and 10ft peice of metal pipe. Would that work as far as being strong enough? I'm going to attach the the post to the facial board my house and drive the bottom post 3 to 4ft in the ground. I have a extra small post to drive in the ground. (I work road construction i got the road sign post legally)

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I got 2 12ft road sign post and 10ft peice of metal pipe. Would that work as far as being strong enough? I'm going to attach the the post to the facial board my house and drive the bottom post 3 to 4ft in the ground. I have a extra small post to drive in the ground. (I work road construction i got the road sign post legally)

That should work. Bolt them all together solid and bolt to the house with lag bolts. Get the lag bolts into the framing members, not just the outside boards and you should be good.

 

[Jugge265]

I'm going 3 grade 8 bolts in each break and get a 5 or 6in Jag bolt

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

You will need a bracket at the top so you can put multiple lag bolts on each side of the mast. The wind will be working hard on this top connection to the house. Maybe a piece of angle iron on each side to make a top bracket.