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Message |
    
Jaws792
Junior Member
Username: Jaws792
Post Number: 11
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Friday, June 29, 2007 - 1:31 pm: | 
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I have my I max 2000 fairly high up in a pine tree, 80' to the base, connected to a 10' mast. Because the section of the tree that the mast is connected to is not that thick in diameter, only about 6" I did not run the mast all the way to the top of the tree. Because of this situation only the top two sections of the Imax are completely unobstructed. I could attach another 10' mast and connect it to the existing one, about halfway down which would raise the antenna so most of the lower section would be in the clear. My question is, would this make much of a difference? I am able to shoot plenty of skip now, with the current set up, when its rolling, anywhere from 1000 to 2500 miles all the way down to Trinidad with no trouble at all. My dilema is, if I put the antenna much higher, I would assume it will sway much more than it is now, and when it's really windy , I guess this extra strain could cause it to snap. I'm just trying to get some feedback if I will really gain that much by extending the antenna up so the full lower section is completely unobstructed? thanks |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 738
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 29, 2007 - 4:44 pm: |
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Well I had my A99 in a pine tree and had the base along side the tree and it did not like that. I raised it up with a 20' mast that was attached at two places on the tree and it worked fine. Only problem was it killed the tree within 2 years of being up there. This is the 2nd pine I have had die when placing an antenna in the top. No more for me.
But, if the antenna is working OK, then why worry over another 10'? |
Jaws792
Junior Member
Username: Jaws792
Post Number: 12
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 7:22 am: |
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Well, I hope it doesn't kill my tree!! It is a pretty big tree so I don't think it will unless it just doesn't like the radio waves or the things I'm saying on the air. LOL,it's just thin where it's attached. I just wasn't sure how much negative affect might be caused by mounting the lower level to the side thats all. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2284
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 10:00 am: |
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Unless you have a really safe way to get back up there and you can do it with ease I would just leave it be. It works great now, you might make these changes and not like the out come. Sounds like your concerned about the swaying of the antenna and the integrity of the tree also.
Is it possible to "prune" the top section of the tree so that you don't have to move the antenna up? Not sure what that will do to the tree though.
Remember the old wise saying,"If it's not broke, don't fix it."
good luck
Kenny
cef491(27.115lsb)
2sf491(27.555usb)
Indiana
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Jaws792
Junior Member
Username: Jaws792
Post Number: 13
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 10:22 am: |
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Thanks,I think I will side with your words of wisdom, "if it's not broke, don't fix it". I just thought I might see some dramatic change with the extra 6' of the antenna unobstructed, but it's only on a 6" piece of wood it's against. thanks and 73's everbody |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2569
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 9:02 pm: |
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i doubt you would see much difference.
the wood next to the radiating element probably isnt a problem until it gets wet.
thats when it will affect your SWR and your signal.
because when the tree is wet, its a conductor!
best of luck,
matt
anyone wanting a "clean signal", just look to the left and build one of these!!!
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Jaws792
Junior Member
Username: Jaws792
Post Number: 14
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 10:28 pm: |
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your exactly right about the swr going up a bit when it was raining out. it only went from 1.4-1 to 1.6-1 so I guess that's not that bad though. It comes right back down when it's dry out. Thanks for that explanation of the mystery. I tell you what though, I have never experianced so much skip shooting in my entire life like I did tonight. I don't know how many others were on the radio but it was absolutely crazy tonight. I could have sworn we were smack in the middle of a sun spot cycle!!! |
