102" question

[Ricky]

Ok, i was thinking of buying as 102" for my camper at my campground for a permanent base setup. would this work? i really don't want to go and get an actual base antenna, my parents arnt to exited about that, because its to big. but anyways, i was going to put it on a mirror mount, and spring, then put the pole into the mirror mount. (I'm using electrical conduit pipe, 1" diameter). could i make a ground plane, or would grounding it into the ground work?

thanks

[drdx]

That would work, and yes you'd want to make a ground plane. Simply put, it would consist of 2 or more radials about 9 ft. long fanning out from the base. If this is a permanent deal, and at a campground with trees, put a wire one up in the tree. It would be much better, much cheaper, and easy to do. If you need details, surf the web or just PM me. It is basically like the whip with a ground plane idea, only you'll use all wire and in a tree you can get it up higher for better performance. Your biggest expense would be a piece of coax running up to it, and if you have any copper wire laying around, you can use that. You'll just need something for an insulator, maybe a PVC box or something to connect the coax to the wire and to weather proof it, no big deal there. Very easy, very effective, and way better than a whip on conduit and something unsightly. This deal would be invisible in the tree. -drdx

[Ricky]

ok. if i did the 102 thing, the radials would connect to the outer part of the coax at the antenna mount somehow right? that wire antennas a good idea, but unfortunately I'm in an open area away from trees, about a 1000t radius... i like that idea though. thanks for the help. its well appreciated.

[drdx]

yeah, the radials connect to the shield of the coax, or easier, use a truck mirror mount or something to mount the whip and coax to the conduit, then attach the radials to the mount via eye connectors to the bolt holes of the mount. If it is low, the more radials the better, as in 6 to 8 if it is 10 feet or so high, and if higher, the radials can act as guy wires, just insulate them at the 9 ft or so mark so they are the right length, then continue the guy wire with more wire or rope, your choice. It is ok if they slope downward. -drdx