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Radio514
Posted on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 1:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Would my Balcony with metal bars serve as a good ground for a mobile whip antenna? I want to get a steel 102 inch whip because i can't put no antennas up on the roof as well as putting a base antenna on the balcony. I'm only allowed to put something as big as the 102 inch whip. If not what would you do in my situation.
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Marconi
Posted on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 7:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well 514 it is not like you are building a condo. Get you an L-shaped antenna bracket at RS and attach it to something on the rail. If you can do that without drilling anything it would be better as far as the landlord goes I am sure.

Hook up your radio and check out the SWR with a decent meter. If OK don't expect a lot of range unless you are at or above the second floor. It likely depends on how much metal the antenna can react with in this case. You should not even need to ground the balcony to the earth, but that would not hurt if you did.

Marconi
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Dx431
Posted on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 2:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I agree. But if you do need a ground, here is something to try. Now, you're going to think I'm nuts, but this does work, I have done it.Get a bolt without a head on it and place a nut on the bottom, leaving enough threads to screw in another ant pointing down to earth. Doesn't need to be a very long ant, just something to screw into the bottom of the bracket, a metal ant. works well. It beats running a mile of wire! :)
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Radio514
Posted on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 8:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Marconi, I'm actually on the 3rd floor and I'm pretty much above the roofs of most of the buildings around me. I should get out pretty good right? Also thanks for the advice.

Dx431 thanks for the tip.
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Dx431
Posted on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 12:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

you're welcome....
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Funtimebob
Posted on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 8:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

this shoul help you out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1370748840
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Radio514
Posted on Wednesday, August 07, 2002 - 7:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Funtimebob, do you know anyone who had the saturn no ground antenna. If you did, how does it perform and is it worth getting it over a 102 inch whip.
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Funtimebob
Posted on Wednesday, August 07, 2002 - 11:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dunno anybody with the saturn antenna. Just getting back into radio after an almost 11 year absence. a lotta new company names, and quite a few old companies gone :(

Everybody says the longer the better :) I'm not exceptionaly versed in antenna design even though
I've played around with some of the more basic math.

As far as the 102" steel whip, Since it was designed to be mounted on a car instead of a balcony I would worry about what kind of match I could get and the radiation pattern with that kinda mounting. I would probably go with one of those firesticks with the adjustable top in that situation ot something like the link I posted earlier. If not running power I might also try to find something like the 'Homeing Pigeon" that Radio Shack once sold. Can find them ocasionaly on E-bay
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Radio514
Posted on Wednesday, August 07, 2002 - 1:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Does anyone know about the Saturn no ground antenna. This antenna looks like it can solve my problems but does it really perform. Check out this link that Funtimebob gave me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1370748840
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Magnum410
Posted on Wednesday, August 07, 2002 - 9:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Radio514
A friend of mine has one of those saturn antennas
and it seems to work pretty well. that antenna is ok if you can get it up in the air, you siad you are on the 3rd floor so it should work well. I think in that situation it will perform about the same as the 102" whip but I think you can get a better SWR match with the Saturn.
I hope this helps
Magnum
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Radio514
Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 8:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think I'm going to try the Saturn antenna. I'll let everyone know how it works.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

Radio514

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