DIY HAM radio mast update, added some extra height,using a pipe.

[@brucel399]

I used a 25 foot top rail from a chain link fence. I put it one foot in the ground, and put it along side of my house at the highest point and anchored it to the eve. 25 years later, it's still there and doing very well. CHEERS from Colorado

[@danbasta3677]

Be nice for a regular tv antenna installation to. With the newer, smaller tv antennas being produced these days, this would work perfectly.

[@davep6977]

Don't forget to ground your lightning rod-antenna

[@iceman382]

First off, this is a dangerous setup. Second, your conduit should have been extended all the way down into the cinder block. As one commented already, fence top rail 17 gauge, not 18 gauge is a cheap and safer way to have a short mast. You would need to secure top railings where they join with a bolt.

[@SkyCharter]

Slick!

[@RandomWire107]

What paint did you use on the Ed Fong? Did it change the resonance at all? What type if coax is that? How long is the run? Sorry for all the questions but I’m intrigued by your setup.

[@elliothuh669]

I believe the coax is about 25 feet of RG8. might have to double check.. I think I used Rustoleum (flat green) I have another Ed Fong antenna on my roof. That I painted flat black. The resonance on both seems to be uneffected. Personally I would stick to a flat colored spray paint and just one coat... The RG8 is flexible and easier to work with than LMR 400 for instance.

[@davep6977]

FYI-don't paint an antenna, especially black. Black paint has iron oxide as color pigment which could effect radiation @@elliothuh669

[@James_Bowie]

@@elliothuh669 "I think I used Rustoleum" ... Rustoleum contains compounds of Zirconium and Cobalt, so not recommended for the Ed Fong.

[@elliothuh669]

@@James_Bowie To be honest I was always a little skeptical of spray paint having no effect on antennas. They seem to be working fine. I think... so the effect of the Rustoleum spraypaint must negligible.

[@stevec9889]

How much concrete did it take you to mix and pour into the cinderblocks?

[@elliothuh669]

If you buy a single bag of concrete at homedepot or Lowes etc. Say it's 50lbs or even 40 lbs that should be more than enough. If I had to guess I would say I used about 25 lbs-30 lbs of concrete Maybe, even less than that really.

[@duaneshuster6366]

Wgat dver works looks like thd base was more work.

[@greyman5590]

Any tip over issues?

[@elliothuh669]

non at all. Mainly just had to make sure the antenna up top was firmly secured with lots of zipties. The mast itself has been solid. Keep in mind the base been mortared together.

[@waynedoomad2573]

Did you ground it?

[@elliothuh669]

J pole and Yagi antennas do not need to be grounded. The Ed Fong DBJ 1 is a J pole.

[@timmack2415]

@@elliothuh669 They absolutely do need to be grounded! NEC is very clear on that. ALL antennas and feed lines SHALL be grounded before they enter a structure or dwelling. I'm not being picky, it is a national code and for very good reason. Nearby lightning strikes can induce many thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of volts on your antenna setup. I can also tell you that it can cause injury or even death to occupants in your home. Your electrical service is grounded (at theoretical zero volts). Ohm's law will quickly dictate that due to a difference in potential, all of that voltage will be dissipated through many things in your home. If, God forbid, you ever had a fire, not a meeting minimum code, will find your claim denied. I've been an electrical engineer for over 30 years and I cannot stress this enough. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have There are also good resources on grounding on Mike Holt's website or his videos here on KZbin. Good luck and 73

[@timmack2415]

@@elliothuh669 We are talking about two different things here. The antenna may not need a ground plane (an RF 'ground') but a safety ground is absolutely required by code.

[@elliothuh669]

@@timmack2415 Yeah I know yeah I will consider electrical grounding the unit thanks for the input. And I will check out that website. That is one thing I am concerned about.

[@timmack2415]

@@elliothuh669 I'm really glad to hear that! If you have any questions, I'd be happy to do my best to go through them with you. Grounding and bonding are very deep subjects as far as theory is concerned but, in actual practice, super easy to accomplish with just a few basic rules. My email is good on QRZ if I can be of any assistance. 73 and God bless, AA2HA

[@EMNM22]

Just use a 4x4 post and some 1.5 or 2" fence posts! Make it easy for yourself bro! Then spend the rest of your day playing call of duty! 🤘😁