H I'm new here, sorry if this has all been asked before

I'm sitting my foundation test in a few weeks time and am trying to get my head round what all I want to achieve in this great hobby. I have been thinking of attaching a small aluminum pole to my chimney for a vhf/uhf antenna that I could fit and forget (the chimney is unused as the fireplaces have been blocked up). I have no idea on what sort of chimney straps would be ideal or what sort of antenna would be best suited to work well while not placing too much strain on the chimney. I would take down the other antennas while I was up there as they are no longer required.



Alternatively I have a 20 ft scaffolding pole I could attach to the end of our kitchen instead but thought I would probably use that in the future for HF bands with a G5RV running down to the trees at the bottom of the garden. There is a bracket on the end of the pole to attach on another light aluminium 10ft pole I own but that might be a bit silly.



I am situated in Bangor, Northern Ireland and would like to reach a few distant repeaters.
Has anyone any advice please? I would like to go ahead and order an 2m antenna today but want to make sure I'm making the right choice,

Thanks
Andrew

Hiya Andrew
Personally I would use 2 lashing kits for a lightweight pole and get a collinear on the chimney as you intend then incorperate that pole for a wire antenna... maybe an end fed shooting from the chimney to the pole.
Theirs loads you can do for HF inverts loops the world is your oyster
cheers Mark

Hi thanks, I had a quick Google and like the look of this on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-30-COLLINEAR-ANTENNA-AERIAL-PMR446/dp/B00793HWQQ

Shop around Andy for example this wouldn't be too heavy up there, go for somthing thats resonably built well that will last up there and get some decent coax and you won't have to touch it for years. Also compare performance of them db gain etc, I've had the diamond collinears and had good service from them but like I said don't rush into it look around price/performance/build
cheers mark
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIAMOND-X-200 ... 1e7acc880f

Good advice.
I have a Diamond tri band.
It has been up over 10 years and, although it's rarely connect, whenever it is, it is still perfectly OK.
If it's a jointed one, it's a good idea to wrap the joints with self amalg tape, as well as the cable connection.

Cheers

Tony

Hi mate
Get a diamond x300n 2m/70cm colinear antenna, it is 10ft long and very light
I have one on a 10ft aluminium pole on the roof and i can pick both up with one hand it is that light
What ever you get for 2/70 make sure it has a N plug and use good coax like ssb aircel 7
http://www.hamradio.co.uk/aerials-anten ... d-2607.php
Not cheap but worth it
You can get ssb aircel 7 coax and connectors from nevada and diode comms
Paddy 2E0TXP

I like the look of the x300 &:appreciate that it's worth spending a few quid more to get decent quality but I think it's going to be difficult to get past the wife. :-).

Thanks
Andrew

The Wife........Best thing to do is send her shopping for a day and put your aerial up now thing to do is let her spot it and I bet you she does'nt spot it for ages
Now the radios just buy them at a slow pace but you must be prepared to lavish her with flowers kisses etc and the odd new garment then your sorted matey and if you upgrade do not I repeat DO NOT mention it to the XYL just swap them over when she's in bed or out shopping and she will never notice
Eventually she will suss you out and the aerials and she will just except your constant hording of junk/copper wire/hanhelds/more antennas the constant radios coming and going and it will become the norm.
Actually I'm quite lucky my missus just leaves me alone and when she's had enough she just grabs me by the neck and pulls me out of the shack
Cheers Mark

How do you think this WATSON W-2000 Triple Band 6m/2m/70cms Vertical would compare? It works out more than £30 cheaper after delivery to N.Ireland.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATSON-W-2000-Triple-Band-6m-2m-70cms-Vertical-/190852548526?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones_Communication_Radio_Antennas&hash=item2c6fb2c7ae

Thanks
Andrew

It has a so239 socket for a pl259, not really good for vhf/uhf
The vswr might be out a bit as these were meant for the american market
Just buy a x50,x200 or x300 N version as they are a better conector
Its up to you what you buy, but i would buy the x300n
Paddy 2E0TXP

Right I think I'm going to go ahead and order this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIAMOND-X-300N-2M-70CM-dualband-collinear-antenna-X300-VHF-UHF-aerial-144-430MHz-/261297100802?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones_Communication_Radio_Antennas&hash=item3cd6855802

Thanks for all the advice!
Andrew

Well hope you get sorted out Andy and as Tony said get some amalgating tape whacked on joints and conector
Mark

And as well as taping the joints up dont forget to screw the 2 elements together inside the antenna
Wrap tape around the big screw that keeps the antenna to its supplied pole
Paddy 2E0TXP

Defiantly go for a double lashing kit and remember to put a pulley on the pole as well, as for the pole 1 1/2 " minimum diameter remember this when getting the lashing kits and use the corner protectors as the wire will cut into the chimney harling keep the wire level all the way around the chimney it looks nice and is less likely to slacken in the future.

PS keep the bracket overhang as little as possible it will keep stain on chimney down to a minimum

OK so the x300 is in the post & I have bought 2 heavy duty lashing kits so nearly ready to get up on the roof :-) But I have now bought a new toy from the For sale section, a IC-725. So now I need a wire antenna, should I go with a G5RV? Should I make my own or Ebay? My garden is about 100 feet long from the chimney of the house, tomorrow I'm heading off to my first ever amateur radio rally in Carrickfergus & could buy wire etc there? Sorry for all the questions.


My wife is going to kill me.

Andrew