New setup

[Runaway]

I want to get started on setting up a base in my house and am looking for all the advice I can get. I have a Connex 3300Hp and a Texas Star 350 I want to use. I am looking at getting an A-99 or Imax 2000 for an antenna. This is a picture of where I would like to put the antenna ( on top of the TV antenna if that will work; I don't have any guy wires on the antenna and really don't want to have to fool with that, even it I have to take the TV antenna completely down ) and would appreciate any feed-back... I need a power supply also. Just don't want to get a lot of money in this too quickly...Any suggestions on a power supply and the best antenna ( and way to put it in the air and set the radio and amp up ) for what I want to do would be appreciated....Thanks everyone...
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[treetall]

will be a good setup but hey ur gonna have some pretty bad bleedover with that pill box. but hey if u aint got no neighbors close who cares. im back out

[Runaway]

will be a good setup but hey ur gonna have some pretty bad bleedover with that pill box. but hey if u aint got no neighbors close who cares. im back out

Thanks for the reply treetall... No problem there,no neighbors...Is the bleedover just because of the type box or just a box in general?...You think that will be good power?..Man i'm up on a good hill !!!! One of the highest spots in this county....

[Lost Sheep]

That small mast pipe WILL NOT support the TV antenna and the CB antenna. You will have to take the TV antenna down unless you are willing to run the dreaded GUY WIRES. Unfortunately, that's the only way.
See, those small mast pipes are only designed to hold up a very light TV ant., not a heavy, tall and awkward CB antenna.

Your best bet for a CB antenna is the A-99 if you plan on using that mast set up. The reason for this is because it is just about the smallest and lightest antenna out there and it is a GREAT performer!

As far as a power supply...WELL...it's gonna have to be a BIG ONE. I would recommend about a 60 amp supply. That is unless you want to run 2 separate supplies..one for the radio (about 12-15 amps) and one for the box (about 35-40 amps).
I personally run 2 supplies, exactly the same ratings as I mentioned above.
You could always run the box off of a deep cycle battery and a battery charger, which by the way works pretty good. The only downside is voltage drop. A battery.... even a deep cycle isn't gonna hold 12 volts during a key down, it will drop to about 11 volts or so. Unfortunately, that will keep the box from working at it's FULL potential. It needs at least 13.8-14.2 volts to perform REALLY WELL.
I have also done that in the past, when I first got started in CB radio base stations. Hey, its much cheaper than a good power supply.
Seriously, to get FULL potential out of the radio and the box, I would recommend that you bit the bullet and purchased either
1 REALLY BIG power supply ( BIG MONEY$$$ ) or, 2 smaller power supplies ( NOT SO MUCH MONEY$$$)
As far as the mast set up...do what you want to, but I've given you my HONEST and EXPERIENCED opinion.

GOOD LUCK, and most of all HAVE FUN!!!!

[Runaway]

That small mast pipe WILL NOT support the TV antenna and the CB antenna. You will have to take the TV antenna down unless you are willing to run the dreaded GUY WIRES. Unfortunately, that's the only way.
See, those small mast pipes are only designed to hold up a very light TV ant., not a heavy, tall and awkward CB antenna.

Your best bet for a CB antenna is the A-99 if you plan on using that mast set up. The reason for this is because it is just about the smallest and lightest antenna out there and it is a GREAT performer!

As far as a power supply...WELL...it's gonna have to be a BIG ONE. I would recommend about a 60 amp supply. That is unless you want to run 2 separate supplies..one for the radio (about 12-15 amps) and one for the box (about 35-40 amps).
I personally run 2 supplies, exactly the same ratings as I mentioned above.
You could always run the box off of a deep cycle battery and a battery charger, which by the way works pretty good. The only downside is voltage drop. A battery.... even a deep cycle isn't gonna hold 12 volts during a key down, it will drop to about 11 volts or so. Unfortunately, that will keep the box from working at it's FULL potential. It needs at least 13.8-14.2 volts to perform REALLY WELL.
I have also done that in the past, when I first got started in CB radio base stations. Hey, its much cheaper than a good power supply.
Seriously, to get FULL potential out of the radio and the box, I would recommend that you bit the bullet and purchased either
1 REALLY BIG power supply ( BIG MONEY$$$ ) or, 2 smaller power supplies ( NOT SO MUCH MONEY$$$)
As far as the mast set up...do what you want to, but I've given you my HONEST and EXPERIENCED opinion.

GOOD LUCK, and most of all HAVE FUN!!!!

Thanks for the good advice Lost Sheep...So you think it will work on the A-99 if I take the T.V antenna down? I wanted to go with the A-99 anyway....Real good price at Sparkys...

[beebuzzbee]

As always, Lost Sheep give some good honest advice for what you have to work with. I would take a good look at the base of the mast and your roof top make sure it can support the added weight and stress. One thing for sure, I would not even bother to put one up unless the guy wires co-exsist.

[Roughneck424]

Can you find an old telephone pole?
Here is my temporary base setup I move around. ( Imax 2000 & telephone pole )
Works great.
Soon as I get more coax I will install on the mast in the background

[stagecoach]

i agree excellent advise lost sheep good detail to what he is about to encounter ..............good job ...........follow his lead ............ you'll be glad u did .....and have fun............ oh yea welcome to another part of radio ..?..?..?..........THE EASY CHAIR ................lol...............coach

[Runaway]

Well I put in the order for the A99 ($64.00 to the door)....Thats what I'm looking for right now, great deals...I don't know about the power supply though...Looks like I may have ran into a brick wall here...Lot of money to get this thing powered...Any suggestions on this? Maybe just power the radio for now and maybe get something for the box later...Or do like Lost Sheep said and get a battery and charger...But thats like 2/3 of the cost of a power supply there so.....Here are some better shots of the pole I want to use...In spite of the camera its only about 18' from the top of the house to the top of the mast....Really don't have anything to connect any guy wires to. Thats just about a zero option...I would just have to put the thing down low or something if it came to that....
And this T.V antenna held up super good to the 50 and 60 MPH winds ( and have seen 70! ) from Dennis,Katrina,and the other hurricane's that left its wake in this part of Alabama in the last few years....
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[Bow]

That pushup pole will not have any trouble will the Antron 99.

I run a Shakespeare NBS-2010 (21' antenna) mounted at 30 feet with a push up pole and it has no trouble... and it isn't guyed.

[Runaway]

And just for fun here are some pics of my rolling base...
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[Runaway]

That pushup pole will not have any trouble will the Antron 99.

I run a Shakespeare NBS-2010 (21' antenna) mounted at 30 feet with a push up pole and it has no trouble... and it isn't guyed.

Thanks Bow. Glad to hear that from someone who has something in the air like what I want to do...

[Bow]

Nice mobile base.

No Sweat man.

I have my push-up pole clamped to my grapevine arbor (made from 2" EMT conduit) that is over my patio. It will sway a bit in a stiff wind, but the arbor sways with it.

Now if a Hurricane is heading into the Houston way, I'll go out and drop it down vertically, but I didn't take it down Tuesday when Tropical Storm Edouard came in...

[Runaway]

Nice mobile base.

No Sweat man.

I have my push-up pole clamped to my grapevine arbor (made from 2" EMT conduit) that is over my patio. It will sway a bit in a stiff wind, but the arbor sways with it.

Now if a Hurricane is heading into the Houston way, I'll go out and drop it down vertically, but I didn't take it down Tuesday when Tropical Storm Edouard came in...

Right,the good thing is I live way north in AL and the only time we see 50 to 70 MPH winds is when the eye comes right up through here and its happened a FEW times!!! But no big deal, have to take my under-pinning down in sections to keep it from catching too much wind...

[Runaway]

I wish I could use something like this to power both the radio and box

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[Runaway]

I think I may bid on this.. [Please login or register to view this link]

Any thoughts?

[kg95]

I'd make sure you could return the IOTA of you don't like it.

It looks like a switching power supply which could cause noise on some channels.

Also, I think the antenna will eventually blow down with no guy wires.

A hurricane took out one of 3 guy wires, and a second hurricane blew it down.

Mine was 5/8 wave (aluminum?) with radials though so you may get away with it.

[Runaway]

I'd make sure you could return the IOTA of you don't like it.

It looks like a switching power supply which could cause noise on some channels.

Also, I think the antenna will eventually blow down with no guy wires.

A hurricane took out one of 3 guy wires, and a second hurricane blew it down.

Mine was 5/8 wave (aluminum?) with radials though so you may get away with it.

Thanks for the feedback kg95.....

[Lost Sheep]

DO NOT BUY THAT CHARGER!!!! You need a regulated DC power supply...not a battery charger.

The problem with that charger is that it WILL NOT hold proper voltage as well as a regulated supply and as mentioned, it will cause noise in the radio. If you buy that, you might as well go to Wally World and buy a cheap battery charger to run your stuff.....it would be the same thing.

Let me recommend something.

Nippon America & Pyramid both make EXCELLENT power supplies and they are fairly cheap. I got my 36 amp Pyramid supply for $120.00 and my 12 amp Nippon America supply for $35.00 at the local Flea Market here in Athens Ga..
I got them from a booth that mainly sells ALL NEW, in the box car stereos and components. They also have a great selection of power supplies.
See, they use the power supplies to run all of their car stereos and large amplifiers.
I guess they figured they might as well sell the power supplies too.
I recommend shopping around any Ma and Pop stereo shops in your area to find a power supply.
They might not have them in stock, BUT, they definitely know where to get them, considering that they use them on a daily basis. More than likely they will offer Nippon and Pyramid....the most common brands, at good prices.
SHOP, SHOP, SHOP!!! It will pay off.

Either run a power supply(s) or a battery(s) and a charger.....NOT JUST A BATTERY CHARGER, seriously!!!

GOOD LUCK! Keep in touch by PM or keep posting on this thread, PLEASE! I'm curious how your setup will turn out.

By the way, that push up pole will hold up EXCELLENT with an A-99. I didn't realize it went all the way to the ground, the first pic looked like it was mounted to the roof.. That will make it hold up much better.
Also, those rings on the pole are where you would attach guy wires. All you need is a place to put the other ends of them.

[White Lightning]

Nice setup

[firefighter]

I dont think you will have any problems with your antenna and wind.....I have had my base antenna up off and on for about 13 years and it's only on 1 1/4 conduit....I live in North Alabama also.....it even survived the tornado that came thru Arab in 1995....I have since raised it up to 40 feet off the ground....when hurricane Ivan came thru here, it took the door off my shed and several trees came down, but my antenna stood thru it.......I only have it attached to the side of the house and it's about 8 inches in the ground...no guy wires at all

[Doodad]

Sorry but I have to disagree on the IOTA power supply. They are a good unit. I to am setting myself up for a new station and was in the same situation. I found a 90 amp unit for 150.00. Shop around and be patient. They will turn up.

You can read the reviews on the Iota power supplies here:[Please login or register to view this link]

The ham guys like them and you know how picky they are!

Dan

[Runaway]

I appreciate all the replies guy...Now I'm torn..I had bid on the Iota DLS-55 but someone else wanted it for more than others have sold for just back in July so I stopped bidding ( I know I could get one for less later ) but now I just don't know...I have read hours on this p-s/charger and only found one bad review [Please login or register to view this link] and it just had to be about noise,so I don't know....

[Bubba]

Hey Man, I don't know a lot about all of that but I did hear your Base the other night and it was BLOWING SMOKE !!!! and I hear your "mobile base" all the time....world wide.

['Doc]

Just a word to the wise.
Guy wires are worth the effort. May only need them once, but once is all it takes to ruin your whole week some days.
Power supplies are another one of those thingys that it never hurts to have too much of. Not having enough always hurts. Figure out how much current everything will draw. Double that and you've got the minimum sized power supply you will need. Why double it? Two reasons. First, it will mean you are not drawing full capacity of the supply all the time so it works easier, loafs along. And second, you will always find one more little thingy to hook to that supply later. Oh, yes you will!
It really only 'hurts' for a little while, no matter how long I whine, whimper, and cry about it. Besides, all that whining, whimpering and carrying on is fun.
- 'Doc