Hf radio antenna installation

Request Info. Thank you! A member of our team will get back to you as quickly as possible. Request Information. We will get back to you as quickly as possible. View fullsize. Registered with CCR Gov. As a result the various points are considered separately. Interference caused to ham radio stations and interference cause by them is obviously of great importance.

The location of the antenna for the ham radio station can have a significant impact on both aspects of interference. As a result this should be kept in mind when choosing the location for the radio antenna. Matching the antenna to the feeder is is particaulrly important if radio transmitters are used and they are to operate effectively with the antenna system. Naturally it is also important for receiving systems as well, but may be not quite as crucial.

Radio frequency systems such as antennas, feeders, sources i. For the system to operate effectively these must match, otherwise standing waves are generated and the power transfer is reduced. To ensure that the overall system is properly matched and is operating correctly a number of measures can be introduced. Standing waves are often associated with RF feeders, and they are generated when there is a mismatch between the feeder impedance and the load impedance.

At th emismatch, power is reflected and the combined voltages and currents of the forward and reflected power form standing waves along the feeder. The feeder is an important part of any radio antenna.

Its purpose is to ensure that the maximum amount of power reaches its destination, either radio transmitter power reaching the antenna, or incoming signals from the radio antenna reaching the receiver. Any power lost will reduce the efficiency of the whole antenna system. The feeder cost and performance considerations may have an effect on any decision made regarding the antenna, and it is therefore important. One good solution for many ham radio HF antenna requirements is a ground mounted vertical.

These and a number of other radio antenna systems require the use of an efficient earth or ground system for it to operate satisfactorily. As the ground system is key to the operation of the radio antenna it is necessary to ensure that the ground system is satisfactory. Grounding an antenna can be key to its operation, particularly if it is a vertical monopole antenna where the ground forms part of the antenna.

Read more about antenna RF ground. When any radio antenna system is installed, whether for ham radio or any other purpose, safety must be one of the major considerations. Sometimes antennas are temporarily fitted up, only to fall down when the wind rises. Home-built antennas are particularly at risk, but even commercially made ones can suffer if they are not installed correctly - and sometimes even when they are.

His thought was gravel will continue to settle and pack ever tighter as the pipe wiggles from the load. His concern about pouring a concrete post hole pier is the dirt could loosen around the cylinder and cause antenna tilt which would be difficult to fix; Indeed a proper concrete pier involves a wide and deep foot which creates more work than probably necessary. A hard core requirement for this new antenna footing is no weed trimmer to maintain it — mower only please.

The antenna mount is ready and shown with the bottom components of the DX Engineering 43 foot antenna system. One good idea expressed by a local club member is to define the edge of the circle with landscaping edge material. This will help keep the rocks in and the grass out. This is a great idea and I did just that. Thanks Frank!! Another good idea is to replace the surface gravel with landscape stone or pebbles… perhaps dark brown.

There is currently only one thing that might be an issue with this mount… the ground pipe easily turns in azimuth. This is not too big a deal with a vertical antenna, but could be a problem if there is some kind of directional antenna on this system. Concrete would certainly solve this. I am not too worried about this issue, but felt it wise to note it. The final result is I have a new location for the antenna which is more XYL friendly, does not spoil the view of our sunsets and is ready to accept my new 43 foot antenna, ground radial installation and coaxial cable routing.

Thank you for taking the time to show this great display. I use a heavy gauge gray PVC schedule 80 pipe instead of. I used the same methods that you did and I used pea rock. I must say it looks good. I still have a to install the radials and coax. I may purchase an auto tuner to mount at the base, which will make it very efficient system, if I can say that.