I need help with antenna mounting options/ideas

[KevinJ]

Okay, so I need advice on where and what method(s) I have available. I've looked around and seen to see some roof mounts that work, but not sure. I will post a photo of my apartment/house so you all can advise. I would like to be able to clear the trees but if I cannot, just as long as I can get it above the roof, I will be happy!

 

ADDED FOR CLARITY:Below is a link to the type of mount I am speaking of when I say J pole/J mount. Like this....

https://www.amazon.com/Skywalker-Outdoor-One-Piece-Mounting-Diameter/dp/B01MSFGZIW/ref=asc_df_B01MSFGZIW?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80814156492394&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413735935415&th=1

 

Edited September 2 by KevinJ
added context to clarify

[Socalgmrs]

I use old satellite dish mounts like from direct tv.  They are usually built very strong and do great with wind.   Many times people already have an unused one already mounted high up at the roof line. They can also usually be found for cheap or free.  

[KevinJ]

6 minutes ago, WRXP381 said:

I use old satellite dish mounts like from direct tv.  They are usually built very strong and do great with wind.   Many times people already have an unused one already mounted high up at the roof line. They can also usually be found for cheap or free.  

I've seen those used, and was definitely a thought. My biggest concern is whichever I use, is how I'm gonna get the blasted thing up there. Those lines are not even more than 3 ft or so from the side of the house. Real tight work area. My one idea so far is a boom style lift or bucket truck to lift over the lines and attach it to the very tip. I seen a j pole style that's about 4 ft long. Thanks for the info! My uncle has one of those dish mounts he said I could have!

Edited September 1 by KevinJ
Spelling

[Hoppyjr]

We have a local guy who makes some J-pole antenna that seem to work really really well in our PNW terrain.

[WRYZ926]

I use several satellite dish mounts. The j mounts make good mounts for light weight radio antennas. Another nice thing is that most j mounts use a 1 5/8' diameter pipe which is the same size as 1 5/8" fence posts. You can find 1 5/8" fence post couplers on amazon to extend the mast higher. I will suggest that you use UV resistant guy rope if you extend it though.

I can't get above the trees in my yard without going with a 40 foot or taller tower. My Comet CA-712EFC is actually under a big tree branch. I am using a j mount at the peak of my roof with the Comet and have no problems getting out.

[KevinJ]

10 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I can't get above the trees in my yard without going with a 40 foot or taller tower.

Well my neighbors a few houses down have what I believe is a 40 footer that is standing unused. I wanted to ask them if they would be interested in having it removed, but my issue with that is I don't know who to find to put it up here, especially when it will have to be put up between the lines and the house. A j pole sounds best and easiest to keep it on my side of the duplex I live in.  Has anyone ever mounted a J pole with masonry hardware to a chimney? If I use the side, I will have to mount it in a way that clears the over hang. The antenna I wanted to pick up is made by a guy named Steve(?memory) he posted a video about the best antenna(?memory again) and he sells them, he goes over a lot of tests and it seems a very legit antenna to use and not very expensive at around 130ish.

[BoxCar]

J-Poles have no gain, therefore whatever power makes it to the antenna is what goes out as your signal. Some antennas by companies like Tram and Comet have gain which increases your signal toward the horizon with the same power going to the antenna. Gain won't increase the distance you can reach; it just provides more signal in the same area.

[KevinJ]

To be clear, when I say J pole, I am referring to the mount style/system, NOT the antenna type. J poles or just J mounts are the ones the dish TV companies use to attach the tiny dishes to the sides of structures and stuff. One of the antennas I was looking into is this one in the video below.

 

 

[WRVR303]

This was my solution for mounting an antenna at the peak of the eaves. It's a standard 24" wall mount, but because the eaves are 26", I had to add in an extender, using double pipe clamps. But, if those power lines are only 3' from the side of the house I would not even think about mounting there .

I think I'd bolt or strap it to the chimney.

[KevinJ]

2 hours ago, WRVR303 said:

This was my solution for mounting an antenna at the peak of the eaves. It's a standard 24" wall mount, but because the eaves are 26", I had to add in an extender, using double pipe clamps. But, if those power lines are only 3' from the side of the house I would not even think about mounting there .

I think I'd bolt or strap it to the chimney.

I have seen some chimney mounts that are really catching my eye, probably be easier over all to get up there and do that myself vs needing to rent or hire a bucket truck. If I put the mount just below the pitch(point?) on the gable(side of house?) it would be about 6 ft above the lines plus any mast height, but using a penetration less weighted roof stand or a chimney mount seems to be the best options so far.

[LeoG]

[KevinJ]

27 minutes ago, LeoG said:

That is a magnificent mast friend! How tall is that mast w/o the antenna? How much does that weigh combined? is it guyed? (it doesn't appear to be in the photo but want to be sure). Is there a way to test or verify what I can mount to my chimney?  The last question, Did you ask yourself any of these things first or did you just choose a mount, a mast length and then got er did?

 

 

A BIG QUESTION TO ALL: Should I have it grounded for lighting?

[LeoG]

I just put a new roof on and I wasn't going to put nails or screws through it so it left me pretty much the one option because the big vent made it so I couldn't put a soffit mount up.

Mast is two ten foot sections of 1 1/4" EMT.  I used a pc of 1 1/4" copper tubing to join them.  ID of the EMT and OD of the copper was 1 3/8" then screwed them together.  No idea how much it weights, maybe 10 lbs per length.  No it's not guyed.  I do worry about that.  Had some brief 32 MPH gusts and obviously it's still there.  It would actually be kinda difficult to guy it but it's doable.  Originally I had the 10' length up there for the cell phone repeater antenna and I borrowed a bucket lift and made the upper assembly and slipped it into the top of the original to extend it's length.

[WRXB215]

3 hours ago, KevinJ said:

A BIG QUESTION TO ALL: Should I have it grounded for lighting?

Always use a lightning arrestor on the antenna feed line. The point is to always try and keep that killer outside the house.

[LeoG]

Mine is grounded.  I used the Melowave MTA-3000.

[SteveShannon]

4 hours ago, KevinJ said:

A BIG QUESTION TO ALL: Should I have it grounded for lighting?

You should have various components grounded. But it’s not simple. Read this:

https://reeve.com/Documents/Articles Papers/Reeve_AntennaSystemGroundingRequirements.pdf

 

[808Beachbum]

@KevinJ, Be SURE the chimney is sound before you go mounting anything to it. It looks pretty sketchy in your original pic. Also, regards to gable mounting, ASSUMING  those are electrical wires that are very close (not just cable tv or phone lines), not only do you absolutely NOT want to mount on the gable, you do not want whatever you put up to be able to fall onto the wires in the event of strong winds, so consider your overall mast/antenna height, and fortify appropriately.

[KevinJ]

46 minutes ago, 808Beachbum said:

@KevinJ, Be SURE the chimney is sound before you go mounting anything to it. It looks pretty sketchy in your original pic. Also, regards to gable mounting, ASSUMING  those are electrical wires that are very close (not just cable tv or phone lines), not only do you absolutely NOT want to mount on the gable, you do not want whatever you put up to be able to fall onto the wires in the event of strong winds, so consider your overall mast/antenna height, and fortify appropriately.

Thanks for the heads up, that's actually what I was thinking after I zoomed into the photo on my phone after making this post. I may have to go with some sort of weighted non penetrating mount, something like the Baird's. I could easily place one on the garage or porch roofs without even needing ladders. Alternatively I see a wall mount Baird makes that I could bolt to the side of the garage, whatever option I choose I am trying my hardest to get the base of the antenna at least level with the top of the peak of the house or preferably a few feet higher, while doing the least amount of permanent modifications or damage to the house as I do rent not own. 

[KevinJ]

I wanted to thank all who replied or even viewed this thread, due to the fact I rent and all other things considered, I am more than likely going to use a non-penetrating type roof mount. They are not expensive, I can easily get one onto the garage roof, and I'm certain I am resourceful enough to build my own and maybe even improve upon the simpler designs I have seen. I will keep all the information I have been privy to hear today! Thanks again to all! God bless and have a wonderful day!

[SteveShannon]

10 hours ago, KevinJ said:

I wanted to thank all who replied or even viewed this thread, due to the fact I rent and all other things considered, I am more than likely going to use a non-penetrating type roof mount. They are not expensive, I can easily get one onto the garage roof, and I'm certain I am resourceful enough to build my own and maybe even improve upon the simpler designs I have seen. I will keep all the information I have been privy to hear today! Thanks again to all! God bless and have a wonderful day!

I think it’s Rohn makes a mount that angles over the roof ridge and is weighted down. 

[808Beachbum]

@KevinJ, as a Property Manager for over 20 years, I would strongly advise against ANY type of attachment to the house, until and unless you get written permission from your landlord (That permission should be explicit regarding exactly how the installation will be made, by whom, and exactly how the property is to be restored when you vacate). You will be in violation of most typical Rental Agreements if you do install or attach anything to the structure, and, more importantly, you will become responsible for any and all damage resulting from the installation or the next strong wind. Failure to properly and regularly maintain any attachment points can allow water intrusion which will, over time, cause extensive damage to the structure, and possibly attract destructive pests such as termites or carpenter ants. Any intrusion will also cause mold to grow, creating a health issue for your own and subsequent families.

I've seen too many Tenants create huge problems for themselves by doing much less...

[WRXB215]

1 hour ago, 808Beachbum said:

and possibly attract destructive pests such as termites

I can tell you from experience, you don't want to go down that path.