Gerry:
I've got what I think is a good ground strap connection to the bumper of the
RV, but I am not sure actually how well that ground is working now.
Will have to take a look at it, possibly clean the connection, etc..
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerry Leary" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 10:45 PM
Subject: Re: Need suggestions for better mast arrangement to safely raise HF
screw-driver antenna on RV
> Tom I use a High Sierra screwdriver. On the part that the antenna sits on
> there is a ground terminal. If you get some good braid, you should
> connect
> a piece from that bolt to the bumper, frame, metal parts of the body,
> exhaust, Engine or Transmission, Differential, hood, doors, and finally
> the
> Battery. That will complete your ground side. Then make sure that your Q
> coil is there and the height off of the bumper shouldn't matter.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 8:06 PM
> Subject: Re: Need suggestions for better mast arrangement to safely raise
> HF
> screw-driver antenna on RV
>
>
>> Good point, Colin.
>>
>> Now, I'm starting to think of something like a painter's pole, although I
>> wouldn't think the normal ones would be strong enough.
>>
>> Will keep thinking on this for sure, so keep those suggestions coming!
>>
>> 73 de Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 9:54 PM
>> Subject: Re: Need suggestions for better mast arrangement to safely raise
>> HF
>> screw-driver antenna on RV
>>
>>
>>> yes, but you can always run a wire down the non-conductive pipe/tube if
>>> necesary.
>>> 73
>>> Colin, V A6BS
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 7:52 PM
>>> Subject: Re: Need suggestions for better mast arrangement to safely
>>> raise
>>> HF
>>> screw-driver antenna on RV
>>>
>>>
>>>> Pat:
>>>>
>>>> I thought of that, but wonder if it would be strong enough.
>>>>
>>>> Also, it may not help me couple the antenna to ground, as John
>>>> suggested
>>>> earlier.
>>>>
>>>> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Pat Byrne" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 9:44 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: Need suggestions for better mast arrangement to safely
>>>> raise
>>>> HF
>>>> screw-driver antenna on RV
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> How about PVC?
>>>>> Pat, K9JAUAt 09:00 AM 8/15/2011, you wrote:
>>>>>>Hi, all.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Well, I attempted to check into yesterday's 20-meter Cross-Country
>>>>>>blind
>>>>>>ops
>>>>>>net from the RV, but was not successful.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I believe my screw-driver antenna simply is not high enough on the
>>>>>>back
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>the RV to allow me to get out well.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The antenna is mounted with u-bolts on the back bumpber on a piece of
>>>>>>pipe
>>>>>>that is probably about thre or four feet high. This gets part of the
>>>>>>screwdriver antenna and whip above the roof line of the RV, but it
>>>>>>does
>>>>>>not
>>>>>>get it completely above the roof line by any means. The RV is
>>>>>>approximately
>>>>>>12 feet high.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Originally, I had used an arrangement with a longer piece of mounting
>>>>>>pipe,
>>>>>>but it turns out that the pipe was de-tuning the antenna, especially
>>>>>>on
>>>>>>10
>>>>>>and 15 meters.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>So, my question is this: Does anyone know of a fiber-glass or other
>>>>>>type
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>non-conductive mast that I might try to get the screw-driver up
>>>>>>higher?
>>>>>>Obviously, I want to be safe here, and don't want to have to mess with
>>>>>>guys.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Something telescopic might be the best, but again, I would think it
>>>>>>would
>>>>>>have to be of fairly high quality.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If anyone has any suggestions, I'll save them for future reference.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Due to a number of other things going on right now that will put a
>>>>>>crimp
>>>>>>in
>>>>>>the budget, I probably won't be able to do anything until next year's
>>>>>>camping season, but it's always good to start thinking and planning in
>>>>>>advance.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>
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