Base Antenna mount

[lucky7]

I live in a rental home and am looking for a way to mount a IMAX 2000 no gp kit on a 5' mast. Was thinking of a tri-pod but really don't want to put any hole's in the roof (new last year). So my next option would be a chimney mount. How do these hold up in windy conditions, I live on top of a hill on the ridge with open field's around me and it tend's to get a little breezy at time's. Was wondering how the strap bands hold up.

['Doc]

There are a few things about using a chimney for antenna mounting that you ought to keep in mind. Maybe the most important one is that the typical chimney just isn't constructed to take a lot of 'side' or 'twisting' forces. Depends a lot on the chimney and it's 'style', some are stronger than others. The straps usually are capable of holding something like the antenna you have. Keep watch on the chimney though, cracks are bad news in any chimney (ask your local fire department).
Another thing is that if you use that chimney at all, your antenna is going to get a coat of some really nasty 'stuff'. It also gets sort of hot up there, you know? No idea how fiberglass will react but that coax can't stand a bunch of heat, so careful where you run it.
I don't think I'd let any of that stop me from putting up the antenna, just sort of keep an eye on it.
- 'Doc

(Setting your antenna on fire with a signal is one thing, but...)

[lucky7]

The chimney I am thinking on using is no longer in use, There use to be a coal stove hooked to this one. I t is constructed of brick with concrete around it in pretty good shape yet.

And as for the Local fire dept I wouldn't ask those guy's about anything because all we do is sit around at the station and drink most of the time anyway!!!!!LOL I am a officer on the local fire company

[Stoneman]

And as for the Local fire dept I wouldn't ask those guy's about anything because all we do is sit around at the station and drink most of the time anyway!!!!!LOL I am a officer on the local fire company

You mean to tell me that's why my neighbors house burned down to the ground??..Ya'll were to busy drinking..

['Doc]

Ah ha! Another one. Well, if you don't play dominoes and have a coffee pot going all the time, then you ain't real firemen.
- 'Doc

(19 years 10 and 1/2 months + saved vacation means I got out with 20. The 'planting bugle' on my collar was gold, the shirt was white (most of the time where it wasn't black) and we ALWAYS saved the foundation. When I started we had three 'ScottPacks' and you were in trouble if you ever turned one on. When I left, we had at least three bottles per man, and if you didn't turn on one you were in trouble. I let someone else have all that fun now.)
I hate ladders!

[Foxhunter]

I've seen where some have used an abandoned chimney and mounting the antenna successfully to it by dropping a length of pipe down inside the chimney. Then attached to the pipe is the exposed length of antenna mast that will further support the actual antenna. A brace (or two) or some form of blocking is added to the mast section at the top of the chimney where the pipe or mast emerges to center it and keep it in place. It utilizes the interior chimney wall as additional support for the mast from toppling over, because it is run down inside for strength, rather than just a couple of clamps trying to attach the mast to the exterior of the chimney. Just a thought.

[coondog]

years ago i use to have a I-Max on my chimney attached to a 10ft steel pole and to strap the pole to the chimney i bought 2 of those steel 1/2 strap type deals to wrap around the chimney and then crank it down tight.the two strap deals were soley for pipe holding,they like extended out a few inches from the chimney.

you and everyone i"m sure know what i"m talking about.my house is over 100 years old and the chimney is like 2ftx2ftx5ft made out of brick.never had a problem.i even had a ground plane up there once.

[Nightwing]

Just put up a 12' mast with a solarcon99 attached to it,I used two straps,Ihave the mast itself standing on a block of wood that is carrying the vertical weight of the mast. Oh, Ido have the ground plane kit attached also.
Here in Omaha we do tend to get a little WIND!!! I have not had a problem yet. We have a stone chimney aprox. 2'x5'x4'T
Your's should hold,good luck with it.

[Goldhawk]

I live in a rental home and am looking for a way to mount a IMAX 2000 no gp kit on a 5' mast. Was thinking of a tri-pod but really don't want to put any hole's in the roof (new last year). So my next option would be a chimney mount. How do these hold up in windy conditions, I live on top of a hill on the ridge with open field's around me and it tend's to get a little breezy at time's. Was wondering how the strap bands hold up.

Depends on how much mast pipe you use. If it's 10 foot you should be fine.

[lucky7]

I wound up using 5' of pipe for right now. I made my own chimney clamp setup out of uni-strut and threaded rod. It is holding up well for now. In the spring I am going to raise it up another 5'.

[Goldhawk]

I wound up using 5' of pipe for right now. I made my own chimney clamp setup out of uni-strut and threaded rod. It is holding up well for now. In the spring I am going to raise it up another 5'.

If you had a tree with a straight trunk of 40 feet or more to put your antenna in that would be the best way to get up there. I've ran mine in a pine tree about 80 feet in the air for years. I run an I-MAX 2000.

[nutcracker]

I would just get a big section of galvanized steel tubing and drive it down into the ground right along side you home and put a couple brackets that secure it to the side of the house. Then just mount the imax up on top of that.

[lucky7]

I would just get a big section of galvanized steel tubing and drive it down into the ground right along side you home and put a couple brackets that secure it to the side of the house. Then just mount the imax up on top of that.

To what lower my antenna?! I have it mounted on the chimney of the house, it is 42' to the feed point. No drilling of the house or any other damage done that could come back to haunt me. Thanks for all the advise. I will be going higher in the spring.

I LOVE MY I-MAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best bank for the BUCK$!!!! imho