New Support Brackets for the R5 and X-50A
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- Опубліковано 6 чер 2024
- #hamradio #hf #vhf #uhf #antenna
When we moved to our current QTH, 25 years ago, I brought with me a Cushcraft R5 vertical and some 8 ft. sections of 1.25-inch outer-diameter steel antenna mast that I had purchased at Radio Shack and used to support the R5 at my previous QTH. The new house (25 years ago) had a back deck with 4x4 support posts. At my previous QTH, I used a chimney mount system. I brought the chimney mount brackets with me and mounted them to the 4x4 support posts. I had enough brackets and mast poles to install an antenna on each corner of the new deck. So I installed the R5 on one corner and a 2m/70cm antenna on the other corner.
My first VHF antenna was a Diamond F-23A. It was a 7.8dB gain repeater antenna. But it had too much gain for the surrounding terrain. The low takeoff angle caused my signal to warm the dirt. I live on a ridge, at approximately 1050 feet above sea level, but my house is in a low spot on the ridge. The ground on three sides of my house is higher than my roof. Literally, my neighbor’s houses North, South, and East are all higher than my roof. So, to solve the takeoff angle issue, I switched to a Diamond X-50A, at 4.5dB gain. The higher takeoff angle of the lower gain antenna lets my signal hop over the high spots.
So, after 25 years, the deck is being refurbished. The support posts are being replaced with 6x6 posts. I searched online to find more proper brackets that could screw into a 6x6 to support my antenna masts. You will see the new brackets in this video. Note that my XYL now wants me to paint the masts black. Resistance is futile.
A link to purchase the new brackets is below:
VANROUG Heavy Duty Wall Mount...
www.amazon.com/dp/B09TKQ5931?...
I searched and searched and found a very good source for more steel mast sections at a reasonable price. Some places wanted $40 for a 10-foot mast and over $200 to ship it. I found a supplier that sells two 5-foot masts at a reasonable price. The total price, shipped to my door, was $51.54. The masts have a swaged end, so you can insert one into the other. I chose to only use one of the masts for now. It allowed me to push my antenna up another 5 feet, which made a noticeable difference. The mast is heavy duty and extremely strong. I might later use the other 5-foot section to go 5 feet higher. But I will probably need to add guy ropes at that point. I’ve done that before. The masts can be purchased at this link: www.solidsignal.com/5ft-anten...
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73, de N4HNHl - Наука та технологія
Great job guys! 73.
Thanks Wendell!
Looking good!
Thank you, Jim!
Awesome bracket option !
I’m very pleased with the brackets, Doug. I knew the deck supports would be replaced with 6x6 so I went looking for the perfect brackets.
Nice!
Thanks Jerry! It’s working well.
I have been using Top Fence Post Rail which are stackable sold at Lowes, Homedepot, 10 ft section each about $22 each, and using strong cast iron fence post farmer use for ground mount. I tied Fence Post and Fence top rail with hose clamps. 10 ft x 2 , 20 ft has been up more than 20 years AG6JU
That’s good. My brother has used fence before as well.
That maple has a lot of burl in it. People pay good money for burl. It could fund your two expensive hobbies.
No one wanted it. I caused two wood shops.