Antenna wire connection, 35 watt radio

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
I've decided to do some experimenting with my base antenna, to try to get more range with it. I got a 96' antenna mast, and more.

What is the antenna connector called, that screws the antenna wire to the 35 watt radio?
I'll be needing an antenna wire extension.

Thank you
Nate
 

David M. Simolo

Well-Known Member
When I looked up coaxial antenna connector I got results for TNC connectors so that looks right to me, also. In years past I have put my own connectors on coaxial cable.

I'm not sure if there are any considerations regarding the length of the wire in your application.

Good luck with your experiment. 96' is not a casual undertaking.
 

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
Matt, that's partially why I posted here...
The antenna mast i got is fiberglass. It is in 4' sections. It assembles. For use in trees, i can use 48' for the t2, and 48' for the radio. This will allow me to snake it up through a tree, or snag. Then, bungie it so it does not shift. (it may sway some depending on wind conditions).
To get this all to work, I (after setting up), i set a control nail, or spike, a short distance from the base, in a semi clearing. (clearest place i can find). Now, i can use this ground control to "reverse shift" my base coord in as needed.
It's at this point that I want/need information. Such as how long of an antenna wire I can use without a "line booster", and, it also makes me want long range bluetooth.
If there's any thing i really want in the t3, it's long range bluetooth. I've already extended my base radio power wires, to reduce the length of the tx antenna wire, and to place the 35 watt radio in closer proximity to the T-2. (it's not got long range bluetooth, but I wish it did). I don't need this rig all the time, but when I do need it, it's indispensable. Some places are just covered with trees for miles.

Thank you.
Nate
 

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
It all depends on the type and spec of cable you decide to use. With a low line loss cable and the 5 dBd gain antenna, the 35 watt radio can still output more than 35 watts ERP with a 100’ cable.

34AD62EB-9B7F-41D6-BAC1-E71A268AA663.jpeg


http://kv5r.com/ham-radio/coax-loss-calculator/

The weight of the cable will increase if you choose a lower loss and thicker cable so you should consider this as well.

http://thewireman.com/coaxdatacurrent2.pdf
 

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
And the only sort of suitable place for the base station is down in the valley. (a repeater would solve it), but some places barely even have a clearing in the valley).
 

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
The antenna mast i got is fiberglass. It is in 4' sections. It assembles. For use in trees, i can use 48' for the t2, and 48' for the radio. This will allow me to snake it up through a tree, or snag. Then, bungie it so it does not shift.

Do you have a link to this product? The highest portable masts I am able to find are 50 feet. They also require guy wires every 15’ or so. I get the impression that you are going to try to use it without guy wires? I can’t image it being stable and not falling over without guy wires.
 

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
Here is a pic of the rig in use:
IMG_7237s2.jpg
IMG_7237-s1.jpg

I was prepared to run this up through a tree, with the radio attached to the same mast. However a local land owner gave me permission to tie it to their building. I drove a rebar in the ground, and tied it with a bungie, so wind would not move it. The rig on the left has the fiberglass poles, and is up at around 25'. The rig on the right is my old HIXON 20' pole with the radio. I should have run the radio pole higher, with the fiberglass rods.
This is all I have right now for pics. I got these poles from an individual. I think they are tent poles. Both pics above are from the same original. The second one shows the LS on a control nail, so that I can "Come off of it" if I have occasion to return to this job.
More pics later, and I'll see if I can find these poles online.
Nate
 

Jon Gramm

Member
Nate,

We had Hixon custom make us a pole(s) that is 35 feet tall.
It has holes drilled in the bottoms of the sections that allow us to insert a small rod through the pole to help support the pole, and take some of the stress off of the screws.
The small rods are permanently attached beneath the threaded screw blocks with thin aircraft cable.
They are heavy, about eight feet long fully collapsed, and unless you are seven feet tall, you will need to stand on the tailgate of the truck to extend it.

They are very well designed, as all of Hixon equipment is.


I am sorry that I am not able to provide any photos of them at this time.

We have numerous 25 ft. Hixon rods we use for antenna poles, and have used them for the past 20 years.

You might want to contact Tim, or Shannon about the 35 ft poles they made for Riolada Surveying. They are expensive, but they are worth it!

You might also want to look into rules and regs regarding antenna heights. I believe several agencies have guidelines regarding this.
I have been on projects where we were limited to heights less than 95 feet by the FAA.
 

Sean Joyce

Well-Known Member
The trailer hitch mount and base with some guy wires looks pretty stable. But you would need another vehicle to drive to where you want to set control?
You work in a tough area Nate.
 

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
When set up, pics would be hard. Imagine the t2, on top of a pole, snaking up through a tree, and bungied to the tree.
And, the radio antenna, tied to the same pole, but several ft below the t2.
And, the base radio below that, and a long wire, going down to the battery, on the ground. When set up, you would only see the t2 sticking out of the tree top, and the antenna a little below.
A drone could take the pic.
Wind will cause some movement, depending on many things. But, take shot on ground control at beginning of day, and at end of day.
Have you a better idea?
Pine forests for miles...
N
 

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
No, not very stable.
But, have you a better idea?
Maybe a loss of a few tenths accuracy. But, maybe it averages out too.
So, maybe it makes the difference between gps, or no gps.
And, maybe too i find out my 35 watt radio is going down...
Needs to go see mamma.
N
 
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