Hi folks,
I've just obtained a nice, old, but disassembled, KLM 144-150-16C 2m circular antenna. I think I have all the pieces (yea!). That, plus a tree trimmer, and I should be in great shape for an upgrade. The old antenna is a linear (vertical) 8 element beam of unknown pedigree. It's been working fine, but I couldn't pass this one up.
Three questions:
1. The antenna does not have a polarity switch. The instructions are for RHCP ("as used by Oscar-7" to give you an idea of it's age!). Given that I don't (yet) have a polarity switcher, is that still the best polarization?
2. I have a 2m preamp that I have mounted some 10' away from my current antenna, on the mast; I'd like to put it closer. Is it ok to mount the preamp on the antenna itself, between the elements? I'm guessing not. How about on the cross-arm, a couple of feet from the antenna boom?
3. The instructions recommend routing the cable out the back of the beam, and looping it over to the support mast. But that won't work well as it's rotated in elevation (it will get caught on the stuff below). My plan is to run the cable forward and then sideways out at the mount point in the middle. Will this have a significant effect on the polarization? The cross-arm is a wood closet pole, not metal, but I'm thinking that the antenna should be mounted in the X orientation instead of +, to lessen the effect of the cable shield on the pattern. Good idea, or not?
Thanks,
Greg KO6TH