Bob, interesting idea. I did locate single strand 14 AWG single conductor uv resistant wire. It was listed in of all places dog fence wire. I'll use your idea of putting radials down in sets of 20.

Appreciate your help.

Maxwell

Thanks all for the additional info. I can get my radials out to 65 feet on one side, 45 on the opposite. The remaining two sides are going to be just 20 feet each. I hope that is clear! The garage on one side and the property line on the other side comprise the 20 foot sides. As for the number of radials, I have time on my hands so I'll put down the 60 radials. What the heck.

Maxwell

KK5J, I should have added that I will be putting up a 5BTV from DX Engineering. So much info but I will try to look for UV wire, if not, then Home Depot or Lowes. I have a while to decide as the 417 price has to wait until I have a few more dimes & nickels (so to speak) in my hot little hand. I do appreciate everyone's input, believe me I do.

Maxwell

At this time my only option for an antenna is a vertical. After reading all the posts I want to put down as many the radials as I can. While searching the web I came across three possible known suppliers for 14 AWG wire. First is Loews, item 293 638, model 112-3453J, 500 feet for 46.00. Second, Beldon part number 8916 010100, 100 feet for 129.29. Lastly, DX Engineering 500 foot kit, RADW-500K for 74.95.

My question is, what am I missing? The prices are quite divergent.

Maxwell WB2QIG

I'm not an antenna engineer and I don't play one on tv so I have to ask my questions here. With a narrow back yard open area of 20 feet wide and 60 feet deep my antenna options are limited to a vertical antenna.

Looking at reviews here on Ham.Net DX Engineering DXE-MBVE-5-4UPR gets good reviews. Looking at their requirements of a buried transmission line, 40 foot vertical, and numerous ground radicals, I could fit that in the back yard. I have not dug any trenches in a while but it would be a nice Spring workout & warm up. The price of 350 or so is not to hard to deal with either.

The other option was a Scorpion SA680. I came across this because of one of their mobile products being reviewed. What was interesting for their 'home / back yard' product was it was not 40 feet tall but the price was, at almost 1K! I have to admit the machine work was beautiful.

So, after all of that my questions are, why have their been no reviews of the Scorpion antenna, is it price? Second, what am I getting for the extra 600? The DX Engineering has a more extensive radial system from what I can tell but the Scorpion looks like an easier install.

Any comments would be appreciated. Might as well start planning / plotting now as Spring is a ways off.

Maxwell
WB2QIG

Ok, I know the OP said 40 feet but I  will add my two cents worth. Rhon makes a model 9h50 that sells for about 130.00 depending from where it is ordered. It extends to 33 feet and is shipped via UPS. I at one time had one and attached it to my chimney which runs from the foundation to the 22 foot level. On top was an 8 element two meter beam and rotor. It was not guided and lasted thru many Jersey winters.

I am looking at another one this time to just hang the feed end of an inverted V.

Maxwell
WB2QIG

Where do I start? I FINALLY got back into ham radio and received a IC-7410 for an early XMAS precent. Built a long wire antenna, hooked everything up and NOTHING. Unfortunately I have no test equipment anymore. Can I borrow someone's antenna at your QTH to see if it is me (home built dipole) or the rig? In this day & age I cannot believe it is the ICOM.

Needless to say, help would be appreciated.

Maxwell
WB2QIG

Thanks all. As the old saying goes, buy once, cry once.

I have a really simple question. Is there a really big quality difference between PL-259 manufacturers? I notice the three most popular offerings on the web are Truckspec, Amphenol, & Dymatize. I'll pass on the gold plated ones.

An interesting web page was www.pl-259.com.

Thanks for your input.

WB2QIG
Maxwell

Well, let me update what I have found out. I found a web page metalbytheinch and called them. Explained what I was doing. I will use angle and a flat stock to make an 'arm' that will extend from the chimney 12 inches. I will bolt the extended Rohn to it and call it a day. Of course during the winter I will not have it fully extended but just 5 feet above the brace point. I can extend it back up in the Spring and Summer daily when I get home. I will leave off the beam idea and just use it as the high point for the end feed.

Sometimes I think half the fun of getting back into ham radio is setting up the station.

Thanks all that have looked and offered their advise.

See everyone on the low bands hopefully by December.

Maxwell
WB2QIG

All of the other mounts are the same, problem is that none of them clear my 6 inch over hang from my chimney cap as first described. I need not only the 6 inches to clear the cap but the extra length to clear for the mount. However, thank you for the thought.

WB2QIG

Nothing is simple, whether I'm playing with motorcycles, cars, ham radio, or guns. Here is my problem. The chimney on the side of the house is a little over 25 feet tall. On top of the chimney is a steel cap with a 6 inch overhang. The cap has been up there for years, took two people to mount it and there is no way in **** I'm taking it down.

I want to use a Rohn 9M50 telescoping mast, which extends to 32 feet, and attach it to the chimney. At the top of the Rohn will be the end of long wire. Well, that is it for now. Maybe a small beam later but I am out of time and many other projects require my attention.

My question is how heavy / thick should the steel or aluminum for the mount be? I'll make my own so that it will not entail drilling either the mortar or brick.

Maxwell
WB2QIG

AE4RV, thank you. I was looking at the ICOM IC-7410 and a small tri bander on the side of the house and with a lot that is deep enough a long wire.

I remember walking into Harrison Radio in New York City and for the first time seeing the Clegg Zeus and and Intercepter which were the best at that time. I turned the tuning knob and a sales person said, son, all the knobs work. I was so embarrassed! Radio like everything else has greatly improved.

Maxwell

Thanks to this thread I have now updated my Tech to General this afternoon. Now, I have another problem, what rig to buy. Prices sure went up since my Drake R-4 new at 349.95. It was either the R-4 or the end of the run Drake 2C. I think it was a 2C.

Speaking of masts, I too got mine from Lafayette Radio and it was a 50 foot mast. Only had a small beam and a rotor on it but it was PERFECT for strapping to the chimney. I'd love to find one again and be back on 6M SSB in a flash.