K0LWC Ham Shack Tour: Coax Entry Panel and VHF/UHF Antenna Mast!

[@vk3hau]

the vswr issue might be because it looks like the antenna ground plane is below the mast pole, try rising the antenna up higher so the ground planes are above the mast pole.

[@K0LWC]

That’s on my to-do list as a check!

[@dx398]

Nice install, what about a ground for the antenna mast?

[@K0LWC]

Planning a ground rod under the deck attached to the mast. Will do it in the Spring!

[@SevenFortyOne]

That entry panel looks really nice! I've been thinking about doing some upgrades to my coax entry and will be taking at hard look at this to see if it will work for me. Thanks for sharing!

[@K0LWC]

It's a great, high quality entry panel. It's not really necessary, but having a panel that matched the color of our house really helped selling it to my wife. :) 73

[@mattspannaus2157]

Looks great! I would recommend grounding.

[@AdamWarrix]

Diamond makes some great antennas. During tropo openings, I've used my X50 at 35 ft above ground and made FT8 contacts over 700 miles away. Have you considered having the mast pass through the deck and pass into the ground? Another video idea would be to repeat the Pi Star distance test but with the hotspot using the Diamond antenna. I know it isn't what hotspots were intended for but would be interesting to see.

[@K0LWC]

Nah, I’ll just ground it below the deck to a rod. Don’t want to cut through the deck if I can avoid it. As for the hotspot, I know of people who have done similar tests and 5-15 miles isn’t unheard of.

[@dx398]

How frequent are Tropo conditions and are they totally random or predictable?

[@K0LWC]

dx398 Troposhoehric ducting is caused by the atmosphere and temperature/humidity levels. There can be some forecasting of it, but it’s generally random on when it appears, how strong it is and how long it lasts (15 minutes or many hours).

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

you need to put that antenna farther up the mast close to the tip of the mast it might help you with the swr i know it did me

[@K0LWC]

That’s on my to-do now!

[@TroyCraft]

What was it like working with LMR 600? Did you do the connections yourself? You mentioned switching to the Ultraflex at the box. Was that just to make the 90 degree turn or for any other reason? would you make the same coax decisions if doing it again? ...independent ground rod, or tie into panel ground rod for house service?

[@K0LWC]

LMR-600 is a beast to work with. At 1/2” in diameter and a plastic jacket it’s very stiff. If the run is 50 ft or less I’d just get LMR-400 UF. Above 50ft I’d get LMR-600UF all the way. I didn’t do the connectors myself as it’s more intimidating with coax as thick as LMR-600. The use of Ultraflex was for the turn to get it into the house and makes routing the cable easier in the ham shack. The ground runs to a rod and also attaches to the house ground system off the rod. If you want to make life easy, just go with LMR-400UF for everything. It’s great for HF and still “good” for VHF, and “acceptable” for UHF. LMR-600 is great if you really want a sensitive VHF/UHF radio with stellar performance. Particularly if you’ll be toying with simplex work. The downside being the stiffness you have to deal with as you route the cable.

[@daviddiamond1128]

@@K0LWC the DB loss comparing 400 and 600 is small at VHF/UHF. I have 5 bands 50-1296 and only use 600 on 1296. Too hard to work with and cost is excessive

[@DerekMurawsky]

Is that ground rod tied to your house ground as well? You should only have one ground for everything, and bonding the rods together is important. Otherwise, nice setup! Thanks for the vid!

[@K0LWC]

Yes, it is.

[@rodneymcgiveron]

G'day from Australia .... We use UHF as our primary 80 channel citizen band radio systems operating on 476.4250 to 477.4125 . I have about 10 handhelds both 2 watt and 5 watt and four of my units are dual band UHF/VHF units . I have three vehicles and all three have five watt car UHF's for road usage which is the maximum allowable output power for private use . After that you require licencing and qualification . In my State (Tasmania) we have lots of non highway roads where mobile phone coverage is not good or non existent so having UHF access is great . We have two emergency channels on 5 and 35 which is 476.525 .. Channels 1 to 8 and 41 to 48 are Duplex repeater channels where repeaters are present . I have three repeaters Channel 3 , 7 and 8 not too far from me , One day I'd like to set up a basic base station at home . Your vid is a great help for a good antenna set up . Thanks ...

[@David-hm9ic]

As of this writing the video is 3 years old. For anyone contemplating a similar antenna base, drain holes at the bottom of the socket are a must. Without them water will collect and initiate corrosion regardless of how "rust proof" the base is. A pin going inside the mast instead of a socket would not collect water if the pin was either solid or had a welded on cap so it was absolutely watertight.

[@heiser_bill]

Nice neat setup. What did you do on the inside wall where the conduit goes in?

[@K0LWC]

I just have the conduit sticking out. It’s not overly neat. I could easily trim the conduit back and place a low voltage plate cover over the hole. But I like the conduit sticking inward so I can easily pack it with insulation as during winter it’s important to seal that thing up tight.

[@heiser_bill]

Thanks for the info. I"m still "ideating" on my own setup. For now I just bring the cables through a door when I need them, far from ideal, especially in bad weather when they're wet or snowy.

[@LM-sc8lu]

I just did the same install last week, with slight modifications. I installed two, twenty foot poles, one with that same UHF/VHF antenna, which tops out at 37'. and another with a Discone antenna which tops out at around 25'. The poles on also on my rear deck but, because I have an 8' wall on two sides, that are constructed between 8"X8" posts that also support the deck itself. My masts are then supported with 2" pipe strapping, and lag bolted to the posts. They are also guy wired to the deck railings ? (None of this really impressed my wife all that much, but she went along with it.) The pipes are individually grounded with 60' of heavy duty coax running across the cellar to my shack. I just analyzed the VHF/UHF antenna last night, and got a really nice 1.2 SWR reading, but I have yet to try to make a contact. The area I live in has two repeaters, and the next closest ones are 7, 14, 21, 27, and 30 miles, with plenty of hills in between. Unfortunalely, I live in a lowland area, so getting out on UHF/VHF is always a struggle.

[@K0LWC]

Height is might! Just add a few more sections of pipe. 😉 Congrats on the new install!

[@tomsimpson7951]

Nice VHF/UHF install. You really thought it out, well. If I were doing it, I would do it the lazy way by just putting a tripod on the roof. Maybe you'll be able to get into our repeater, if the conditions are right, over here in Jamestown, ND. 147.180 (+.600 input) no PL. There is a guy in MN that gets in, quite often. - ND0TS

[@K0LWC]

It conditions open up it’s possible! I was going to do a j-mount on the roof, but didn’t want to drill into the roof. This mast should serve me well for many years!

[@devinhedge]

1. I love this video. 2. I wish operators understood the concept of aesthetics. You've done a fairly decent attempt at non-industrial aesthetics.

[@k9gcpradio424]

What was the answer to your SWR problems.

[@Don008Ramon]

It’s never high enough is a true story, just added 4’ to my mast today and already want to raise it higher

[@Geschaefer]

Can you please tell me the name of that junction box with the copper ground plate? Or where to get one?

[@AGENT47ist]

Does the antenna needs its own power supply or just the antenna coax that goes to the radio? Sorry if I sound stupid but I am just getting in radio stuff

[@K0LWC]

It’s just connected to the radio via coax. No power supply needed.

[@bassangler73]

I have been thanking about a Diamond X300-A to replace my little X30a..

[@K0LWC]

It’s a good antenna, I’ve been pleased.

[@bassangler73]

@@K0LWC awesome...I got mine yesterday now to get time to put it up...I installed one about 3 weeks ago and put my leg down on the shingles and it burnt my leg pretty severely which turned into a Staff infection...but I'm on the mend and ready to get this monster up and running, I will definitely put it up at night, I'm not getting back on the roof when it's 110 degrees...lol

[@donz7992]

Matt--I just ordered the medium sized panel and like you have vinyl siding to deal with. Drilling holes through drywall and sheathing should be fine, but I am curious as to how you mounted the box and dealt with the siding. Did you just drive screws through the mounting holes and into the vinyl and the sheathing? Did you use cleats tied to studs (it doesn't appear you did.) Or does the box just "float" along the edges of the siding with spacers / standoffs holding it away from where the screws enter the siding?

[@K0LWC]

The conduit acts as a mounting point of sorts and attaches the box to the conduit pipe. It ends up floating over the siding, though you can tell when looking at it from the side. The only hole is the conduit, nothing else. It comes with weather striping if you want to use it, but I didn’t.

[@donz7992]

@@K0LWC Wow. You just cut the hole and use the conduit to hold it in place; no other mounting screws? Interesting. Can't you just pull it out of the wall, conduit and all? Thanks for the response.

[@K0LWC]

No. There is a coupling that attaches the box to the conduit, and to the house. I’d go out and take a photo….but it’s 0 degrees. 😏

[@donz7992]

@@K0LWC Aw, c'mon! It's all the way up to 8 here in Lino Lakes! 😀 J/K; I get it. And I ordered that kit so maybe it will become obvious how it secures to the house. Perhaps the 2" hole will be all I need. Thanks again for the help, Matt!

[@ehobbs727]

Nice video. I've been considering the same entry panel. How did you secure the panel to the side of the house. Just screws directly into studs?

[@K0LWC]

Yep, just got one side lined up with a stud. It’s really not that heavy, but having it on one stud is plenty of support.

[@randalldezarn6360]

This is just what I need for my new shack. Is there a way to run ladder line in through the box?

[@K0LWC]

Yes, you can run ladder line through it quite easily.

[@alessandroconcas]

Nice and clean ground system! the antenna if you can place vetical to the box not the other side, seems too low and too much coax and place the pole on the wall and not on patio so gain in height...my 2 cent 73 de iz3qvb

[@leskeegan9033]

Where did you get that box? Is there a website to order that?

[@K0LWC]

Google “KF7P Metalworks” and you’ll find him!

[@davemitchell116]

Better to use WHITE heavy duty zip ties. Black absorbs heat from the sunlight and wears out a lot quicker.

[@kevinc9416]

Distance on simplest you can hit on VHF?

[@LanceSheppard]

Newbie here KO4MWD. I like the antenna set up. If I might recommend looking at some angle brackets to mount on the bottom side of the deck board then through the deck joist. Might be over kill, but in the mountains of Virginia where I live it gets VERY windy. Where is a good place to order lmr600? I'm currently running a btech uv50x2, 100' rg8u, and a tram antenna 1477 I believe. Thanks! 73

[@supremetalentco]

What radio are you using in your UHF VHF system? Thinking about doing what you have done. KN4ZPG

[@K0LWC]

I’m using the Kenwood D710G, a fantastic radio for the shack or the car. Eventually it will be replaced by an Icom 9700.

[@dfpolitowski2]

This is a great set-up but limited to those with a deck. I got a deck on the second floor but just bought a 8ft tower for the roof. I'm getting second thoughts now. I'm not sure I'm going to use the tower I bought now that I see your set up. I have more weight to support than you. Maybe 50lbs total. Think your set-up is much stronger for wind too. If I go with your set-up, I will need more than one stand off support of the house.

[@rodneymcgiveron]

Forgot to mention in previous reply . VHF is essentially used for aircraft , marine coms and safety/ weather updates and police , fire , ambulance , forestry , SES ,and rail and is mostly encrypted and anyone caught with units that can interact on these emergency services faces huge fines and having to give up the equipment and repeat offenders can face gaol time ..You can listen though via scanners so long as you can't hook into and hamper operations . HF is used for long distance as you'd know of course . 27 Meg /SSB is essentially gone now , The truckies and buses etc use UHF almost exclusively now . Even though VHF is primarily for essential services some of the services do carry UHF as well as a back up which is mostly for citizen use in case it's needed or VHF links aren't available or failed .

[@David-hm9ic]

Not sure where you are but in the US there is a VHF segment set aside for licensed amateur radio operator use. It's 100% legal for licensed operators.

[@makitaman60]

Ground your mast, and you should be able to bring your SWR down. Right now, looking at what I see your mast in part of the antenna (unbalanced load) pretty much. Heard say that you had some SWR issues. This should fix it, I've seen it before. It's simple to see that coax braid side is just a Ground, but that's not the case its still one side of a basic dipole regardless of calling it vertical, yagi,. Hope this helps it.

[@bolkadats23]

What kind of pipe did you use for antenna.?

[@K0LWC]

It’s simple RCA TV antenna mast I picked up at the local hardware store.

[@bolkadats23]

@K0LWC thank you sir..

[@anthonymarino4260]

thanks for posting

[@jlibertyparks8160]

My guess would be the swr issue is the 20ft of coiled coax.

[@Jacob-mm8xq]

Looking to put up my first antenna at the house, do I have to ground the cable or anything so it does not fry my radio if struck by lightning. any info helps, thanks.

[@K0LWC]

Yes, you’ll want to ground your antenna mast (if metal) and use a lightning arrestor that is also properly grounded. Your antenna will not survive a direct strike. However, you can have nasty static build up or issues from nearby lightning strikes that can surge your antenna system. That’s why you want to ground it properly. If you hear a loud crack and it’s lightning hitting your property. Kiss it goodbye.

[@Jacob-mm8xq]

@@K0LWC thanks, just starting to order parts now

[@jimbugs12]

suggestion ….. drill four holes in a plate and put that under the deck to get even more stability ….. very nice setup though

[@K0LWC]

Not a bad idea, but the wind load is next to nothing and the majority of the support is at the roof line. The base plate doesn't do as much as you'd think.

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

K0LWC Why did you not put the grounding rod closer to you entery box all those bends not really good for grounding

[@K0LWC]

Long story short. I had to relocate the box.

[@ryankelzenberg3453]

@@K0LWC Did you run another ground wire to bond with the existing ground rod from the electrical panel to make sure everything is bonded correctly? Grounding can be such a pain depending on where the equipment is located in relation to the main ground.

[@bigchew3149]

I have ben running a Comet GP-9N it it the twin to the Diamond X510HD & I Believe Them To Be The Best 2 Vertical vhf/Uhf that Money Can Buy..As Long as you also Get Really Good High Quality Coax..I may know Why Your swr was a little High..I noticed your ant was a little low on the Mast try bringing it up pretty much Even & i think your SWR Will Drop ! Thanks for Sharing & 73's

[@K0LWC]

They’re both fabulous antennas.

[@f00masterFlex]

Very nice. Hope to catch you on MN 3127 some day.

[@K0LWC]

You’ll hear me there!

[@johnratcliffe6438]

Nah, go with the Diamond X6000A. I have one, it's the bollocks.

[@tombuttner]

Points to coil of coax, points to antenna, wonders why SWR is an issue.... maybe the COIL of FEED LINE!

[@K0LWC]

No, not an issue.

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice..........

[@mooandal391]

Extremely, long cable witch will cause a big antenna gain loss.

[@K0LWC]

It’s LMR-600 so the loss isn’t too bad.

[@Knarf14]

Even 600 theres gonna be loss , vhf/uhf it’s critical for weak signal , shorten that coax dont spool it up like that and if youre doing ft8 you much of anything

[@ScrewKeanu]

⚠️ OCD ALERT !!!⚠️ It bothers the F out of me how your ground and coax CROSS underneath outside the box. Looks so sloppy. Also, there's no way that mast is secure enough between the deck and where you attached it to the 4" standoff at the roofline. That length of sections in between is going to buckle in high winds.