I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into communicating via satellites. As I've been looking into the Elk vs the Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on the far end at the handle. Many use a counterweight but some do not. I was wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this? (As I try to imagine the motion needed it still seems possible to me to have the elements not hit the tripod legs if you can extend the head of the tripod up a bit.) If it can be done I assume it would need to be a non-metal tri-pod?? I'm also thinking of mounting the antenna I choose (Elk or Arrow) to a tall fiberglass mast. If I can't mount the arrow in the middle then I would worry about the leverage that it would create which is one reason the Elk seems appealing....but at the same time I assume the Alaskan has the most gain which interests me for non-satellite uses.
Thanks, Lance / K7LQH
Quoting Lance Homer who wrote on Wed 2016-04-13 at 23:56:
I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into communicating via satellites. As I've been looking into the Elk vs the Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on the far end at the handle. Many use a counterweight but some do not. I was wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this?
My arms are tired of holding the Arrow and trying to get over nearby houses so I now have a rotor available and for mounting the arrow on it I am looking at something like the setup pictured in
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/3yip8i/made_a_mount_for_my_ar...
(from someone who also frequents this list)
The 2 meter gamma match (and the split in case of a split-boom Arrow antenna) are indeed near the center of gravity.
Koos van den Hout
I did exactly that, Lance. It just seemed like the logical way to tripod mount the thing to me.
Using cheap tripods from BestBuy, I just did a finger-balance on the assembled Arrow & used a couple of small screws to mount the base plate that comes with the tripod (so it's easily removable from the tripod). After seeing that it worked so well, I added a little JB Weld (2-part epoxy type of product) to reinforce the connection.
It's plastic, so leaving it on there for hand-held use has not been an issue.
Here's a pic:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/10509shc38j9ywn/arrows.jpg?dl=0
-Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA USA
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----- Original Message ----- From: Lance Homer To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 01:56 Subject: [amsat-bb] Mounting Arrow Antennas
I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into communicating via satellites. As I've been looking into the Elk vs the Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on the far end at the handle. Many use a counterweight but some do not. I was wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this? (As I try to imagine the motion needed it still seems possible to me to have the elements not hit the tripod legs if you can extend the head of the tripod up a bit.) If it can be done I assume it would need to be a non-metal tri-pod?? I'm also thinking of mounting the antenna I choose (Elk or Arrow) to a tall fiberglass mast. If I can't mount the arrow in the middle then I would worry about the leverage that it would create which is one reason the Elk seems appealing....but at the same time I assume the Alaskan has the most gain which interests me for non-satellite uses.
Thanks, Lance / K7LQH
I created a mounting foot that makes a quick attachment toa camera tripod for my Arrow. It is near the end of the boomso that the 2m reflector doesn't get hung up on the tripodlegs as the antenna is turned in every direction and polarization.I added an extension to the end of the Arrow boom with aweight on it to balance the antenna on the tripod. Every elementof the antenna is forward of the tripod. All this allows me toleave the antenna unattended while I fiddle with the radio. HIHI GL/73, Bob K8BL
From: Scott scott23192@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 9:36 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Mounting Arrow Antennas
I did exactly that, Lance. It just seemed like the logical way to tripod mount the thing to me.
Using cheap tripods from BestBuy, I just did a finger-balance on the assembled Arrow & used a couple of small screws to mount the base plate that comes with the tripod (so it's easily removable from the tripod). After seeing that it worked so well, I added a little JB Weld (2-part epoxy type of product) to reinforce the connection.
It's plastic, so leaving it on there for hand-held use has not been an issue.
Here's a pic:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/10509shc38j9ywn/arrows.jpg?dl=0
-Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA USA
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----- Original Message ----- From: Lance Homer To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 01:56 Subject: [amsat-bb] Mounting Arrow Antennas
I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into communicating via satellites. As I've been looking into the Elk vs the Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on the far end at the handle. Many use a counterweight but some do not. I was wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this? (As I try to imagine the motion needed it still seems possible to me to have the elements not hit the tripod legs if you can extend the head of the tripod up a bit.) If it can be done I assume it would need to be a non-metal tri-pod?? I'm also thinking of mounting the antenna I choose (Elk or Arrow) to a tall fiberglass mast. If I can't mount the arrow in the middle then I would worry about the leverage that it would create which is one reason the Elk seems appealing....but at the same time I assume the Alaskan has the most gain which interests me for non-satellite uses.
Thanks, Lance / K7LQH _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Can we see a picture of this, Bob?
Sent from my mobile emitter
On Apr 14, 2016, at 07:36, R.T.Liddy k8bl@ameritech.net wrote:
I created a mounting foot that makes a quick attachment toa camera tripod for my Arrow. It is near the end of the boomso that the 2m reflector doesn't get hung up on the tripodlegs as the antenna is turned in every direction and polarization.I added an extension to the end of the Arrow boom with aweight on it to balance the antenna on the tripod. Every elementof the antenna is forward of the tripod. All this allows me toleave the antenna unattended while I fiddle with the radio. HIHI GL/73, Bob K8BL
From: Scott <scott23192@gmail.com>To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 9:36 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Mounting Arrow Antennas
I did exactly that, Lance. It just seemed like the logical way to tripod mount the thing to me.
Using cheap tripods from BestBuy, I just did a finger-balance on the assembled Arrow & used a couple of small screws to mount the base plate that comes with the tripod (so it's easily removable from the tripod). After seeing that it worked so well, I added a little JB Weld (2-part epoxy type of product) to reinforce the connection.
It's plastic, so leaving it on there for hand-held use has not been an issue.
Here's a pic:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/10509shc38j9ywn/arrows.jpg?dl=0
-Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA USA
----- Original Message ----- From: Lance Homer To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 01:56 Subject: [amsat-bb] Mounting Arrow Antennas
I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into communicating via satellites. As I've been looking into the Elk vs the Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on the far end at the handle. Many use a counterweight but some do not. I was wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this? (As I try to imagine the motion needed it still seems possible to me to have the elements not hit the tripod legs if you can extend the head of the tripod up a bit.) If it can be done I assume it would need to be a non-metal tri-pod?? I'm also thinking of mounting the antenna I choose (Elk or Arrow) to a tall fiberglass mast. If I can't mount the arrow in the middle then I would worry about the leverage that it would create which is one reason the Elk seems appealing....but at the same time I assume the Alaskan has the most gain which interests me for non-satellite uses.
Thanks, Lance / K7LQH _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Lance,
Use both Arrow and Elk portable.
Mounting details in the comments.
Pics here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/n3ykf/7h5sA5
Norm n3ykf
On Thu, Apr 14, 2016 at 1:56 AM, Lance Homer k7lqh@thehomerfamily.com wrote:
I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into communicating via satellites. As I've been looking into the Elk vs the Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on the far end at the handle. Many use a counterweight but some do not. I was wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this? (As I try to imagine the motion needed it still seems possible to me to have the elements not hit the tripod legs if you can extend the head of the tripod up a bit.) If it can be done I assume it would need to be a non-metal tri-pod?? I'm also thinking of mounting the antenna I choose (Elk or Arrow) to a tall fiberglass mast. If I can't mount the arrow in the middle then I would worry about the leverage that it would create which is one reason the Elk seems appealing....but at the same time I assume the Alaskan has the most gain which interests me for non-satellite uses.
Thanks, Lance / K7LQH _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
The reason most people moUnt on the end of an arrow antenna is probably because there is a threaded screw hole at the end made for camera tripods. There isn't one in the middle.
Fwiw, some people don't use mounts like me.
On the AMSAT NA Facebook group someone said neither armstrong or mount is better than the other, it depends on what suits the user.
I thought that was well said and agree.
73, John KG4AKV On Apr 14, 2016 3:15 PM, "Norm n3ykf" normanlizeth@gmail.com wrote:
Lance,
Use both Arrow and Elk portable.
Mounting details in the comments.
Pics here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/n3ykf/7h5sA5
Norm n3ykf
On Thu, Apr 14, 2016 at 1:56 AM, Lance Homer k7lqh@thehomerfamily.com wrote:
I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into communicating via satellites. As I've been looking into the Elk vs the Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on
the
far end at the handle. Many use a counterweight but some do not. I was wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this? (As I try to imagine the motion needed it still seems possible to me to have the elements not hit the tripod legs if you can extend the head of
the
tripod up a bit.) If it can be done I assume it would need to be a non-metal tri-pod?? I'm also thinking of mounting the antenna I choose (Elk or Arrow) to a tall fiberglass mast. If I can't mount the arrow in the middle then I would worry about the leverage that it would create which is one reason the Elk seems appealing....but at the same time I assume the Alaskan has the most gain which interests me for non-satellite uses.
Thanks, Lance / K7LQH _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
On Thu, 14 Apr 2016 15:15:40 -0400, Norm n3ykf normanlizeth@gmail.com wrote:
Lance,
Use both Arrow and Elk portable.
Mounting details in the comments.
Pics here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/n3ykf/7h5sA5
I made a thing out of PVC pipe joints that fit perfectly over my Alaskan Arrow. It allows me to twist the antenna in roll to adjust for polarization.
http://i.imgur.com/OynjGJw.jpg
Here is a blog post detailing my setup: https://soliloquyforthefallen.net/?p=858
On 04/14/2016 05:32 PM, J. Boyd (JR2TTS) wrote:
On Thu, 14 Apr 2016 15:15:40 -0400, Norm n3ykf normanlizeth@gmail.com wrote:
Lance,
Use both Arrow and Elk portable.
Mounting details in the comments.
Pics here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/n3ykf/7h5sA5
I made a thing out of PVC pipe joints that fit perfectly over my Alaskan Arrow. It allows me to twist the antenna in roll to adjust for polarization.
Arrow sells a mounting bracket for the square boom. It's $14 and is well made. I picked one up for ground testing my rotor setup before I put everything on the roof.
http://www.arrowantennas.com/main/mbii.html
On Thu, Apr 14, 2016 at 1:56 AM, Lance Homer k7lqh@thehomerfamily.com wrote:
I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into communicating via satellites. As I've been looking into the Elk vs the Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on the far end at the handle. Many use a counterweight but some do not. I was wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this? (As I try to imagine the motion needed it still seems possible to me to have the elements not hit the tripod legs if you can extend the head of the tripod up a bit.) If it can be done I assume it would need to be a non-metal tri-pod?? I'm also thinking of mounting the antenna I choose (Elk or Arrow) to a tall fiberglass mast. If I can't mount the arrow in the middle then I would worry about the leverage that it would create which is one reason the Elk seems appealing....but at the same time I assume the Alaskan has the most gain which interests me for non-satellite uses.
Thanks, Lance / K7LQH _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (10)
-
Bryan Green -
J. Boyd (JR2TTS) -
John Brier -
Koos van den Hout -
Lance Homer -
Lou Michaels -
Norm n3ykf -
Oliver Krystal -
R.T.Liddy -
Scott