[OT] Best FM aerial?

On 13 Jan 2005 18:26:55 -0800, "
wrote:

I note in Bill's recently posted picture about Emley
that he uses tape on his professional installations. No doubt he will
tell you what sort it is.

Tikkitape. Only black is UV proof. I used to use RS Components tape but
the quality was variable. Cable ties aren't good really, but yes you
can accomodate the cable under the cusp of the ratchet thingy. Tape is
better though.

Bill
I got a roll of white insulation tape from Halfords for my aerials.
It doesn't seem very good stuff though. I easily managed to tear bits
off with my nails. I'll see how long it holds. Why white? Thought
it would show up less than black.

BTW, why is not advisable to thread the co-ax inside the mast? I
heard someone say once that it oscilates in the wind if you do that,
but what about if either end of the mast are taped up? I've got to
admit to doing this when installing an aerial for my mate's
girlfriend. She's fussy & wanted the neastest possible install. No
complaints so far.

Marky P.

BTW, why is not advisable to thread the co-ax inside the mast?
On a straight mast longer than 1m the cable can slap against the inside
of the mast. The noise will go down into the house via the building
fabric. The solution is to attach cable ties loosely to the cable at
400mm intervals, leaving the surplus length of the ties in place. This
is sptringy enough to hold the cable still inside the mast.
Another useful tip from SUPER RIGGER!

Bill

http://www.chelsworth-lodge.nildram....NewAerials.jpg

The chimney brackets are a bit close together and grip less of the pole than
is ideal, but they are pretty hefty and feel very solid and secure.

The pole grip compromise comes from two things.

(1) There isn't that much chimney above the ridge to get wires around.

(2) The aim is to get the TV aerial as high as possible to see over
Felixstowe docks.

The standoff for the FM aerial is also a compromise because the aerial comes
with a wall/chimney mount so I had to source additional bits and pieces.
However it is the suggested 1.5m away from the main pole, and pointing
towards Manningtree.


Why are you bothering to mount the FM folded dipole Vertical, is there
anything around your area thats worth listening to thats vertical
polarisation only then?....


--
Tony Sayer

If I understand 'wavelength' correctly then a full wave is about 3m, 1/2
wave is about 750cms, 1/4 wave is about 375cms.

300 divided by frequency in use e.g.:

107.9 MHz into 300 is 2.780352 etc metres, thats a full wave....

The arm built onto the dipole gives a maximum spacing from the mast of
200cms which is nearer 1/8 wave.

Why bother with it?..


I was previously advised (by someone) that half wave was a good distance to
be from the mast.

In practice this should or usually will give a 4 to 1 forward gain
factor but don't take that as gospel, a lot depends on the length and
diameter of the support pole. Also a cheapie dipole will not have a
balun which fecks up the pattern a bit more due to cable mismatch...

--
Tony Sayer

On 14 Jan 2005 11:02:19 -0800,
wrote:

BTW, why is not advisable to thread the co-ax inside the mast?
On a straight mast longer than 1m the cable can slap against the inside
of the mast. The noise will go down into the house via the building
fabric. The solution is to attach cable ties loosely to the cable at
400mm intervals, leaving the surplus length of the ties in place. This
is sptringy enough to hold the cable still inside the mast.
Another useful tip from SUPER RIGGER!

Bill

Also if the pole is a very long one the cable, being unsupported inside
it, will stretch and may fracture or crush at the top.

Arthur

I personally have only used cable ties once on airspaced coax, and after
that experience went back to duct tape which seems to last forever if
applied carefully. I note in Bill's recently posted picture about Emley
that he uses tape on his professional installations. No doubt he will
tell you what sort it is.


Tapes fine on domestic installs but pro ones where such as RG214 and
LDF4-50 etc are in use, cable ties are more the done thing....

--
Tony Sayer

BTW, why is not advisable to thread the co-ax inside the mast? I
heard someone say once that it oscilates in the wind if you do that,
but what about if either end of the mast are taped up? I've got to
admit to doing this when installing an aerial for my mate's
girlfriend. She's fussy & wanted the neastest possible install. No
complaints so far.


Don't do it as in high winds it rattles like bu**ery. Apart from that it
strains the cable with the albeit small but unsupported weight....
--
Tony Sayer

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 19:14:00 +0000, tony sayer wrote:

I personally have only used cable ties once on airspaced coax, and
after
that experience went back to duct tape which seems to last forever if
applied carefully. I note in Bill's recently posted picture about Emley
that he uses tape on his professional installations. No doubt he will
tell you what sort it is.


Tapes fine on domestic installs but pro ones where such as RG214 and
LDF4-50 etc are in use, cable ties are more the done thing....

They are more rigid and cable take the pressure of a cable tie. We are
talking about domestic TV coax.

Arthur

In article , Arthur
writes
On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 19:14:00 +0000, tony sayer wrote:

I personally have only used cable ties once on airspaced coax, and
after
that experience went back to duct tape which seems to last forever if
applied carefully. I note in Bill's recently posted picture about Emley
that he uses tape on his professional installations. No doubt he will
tell you what sort it is.


Tapes fine on domestic installs but pro ones where such as RG214 and
LDF4-50 etc are in use, cable ties are more the done thing....

They are more rigid and cable take the pressure of a cable tie. We are
talking about domestic TV coax.

Thats wot I said


Wouldn't use cable ties on such as CT100 etc....

--
Tony Sayer

"tony sayer" wrote in message
...
http://www.chelsworth-lodge.nildram....NewAerials.jpg

The chimney brackets are a bit close together and grip less of the pole
than
is ideal, but they are pretty hefty and feel very solid and secure.

The pole grip compromise comes from two things.

(1) There isn't that much chimney above the ridge to get wires around.

(2) The aim is to get the TV aerial as high as possible to see over
Felixstowe docks.

The standoff for the FM aerial is also a compromise because the aerial
comes
with a wall/chimney mount so I had to source additional bits and pieces.
However it is the suggested 1.5m away from the main pole, and pointing
towards Manningtree.


Why are you bothering to mount the FM folded dipole Vertical, is there
anything around your area thats worth listening to thats vertical
polarisation only then?....

Just following the instructions on the box :-)

So what is best?
Vertical, horizontal, sloping?

Not sure what benefit I would get from mounting it in any other orientation
unless the signals are e.g. horizontal only.

Cheers
Dave R