Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and do a 90 degree turn.
Chris KC1E
I think any successful portable operator would highly recommend you ditch the tripod and hold the antenna. It allows rapid and accurate polarity matching and tracking and it’s really not so difficult.
73, Gabe AL6D/VE6NJH
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 5:27 AM Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and do a 90 degree turn.
Chris KC1E
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas _______________________________________________ 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Guess I need to work on my antenna-holding exercises :-)
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 12:26 PM Gabriel Zeifman gabrielzeifman@gmail.com wrote:
I think any successful portable operator would highly recommend you ditch the tripod and hold the antenna. It allows rapid and accurate polarity matching and tracking and it’s really not so difficult.
73, Gabe AL6D/VE6NJH
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 5:27 AM Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and do a 90 degree turn.
Chris KC1E
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas _______________________________________________ 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
This. One million times this. I don't know why this is still even a discussion on [AMSAT-BB] yet it comes up at least once a month. Just search through the archives and you'll find roughly 500000 topics involving 'tripods'.
If you are physically capable of holding the arrow, do it. Any other methods are compromises that will impair your ability to hear the bird, and interfere with other operators if you aren't careful.
-Dave, KG5CCI
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 11:34 AM Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Guess I need to work on my antenna-holding exercises :-)
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 12:26 PM Gabriel Zeifman <gabrielzeifman@gmail.com
wrote:
I think any successful portable operator would highly recommend you ditch the tripod and hold the antenna. It allows rapid and accurate polarity matching and tracking and it’s really not so difficult.
73, Gabe AL6D/VE6NJH
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 5:27 AM Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and
do
a 90 degree turn.
Chris KC1E
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas _______________________________________________ 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas _______________________________________________ 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
No doubt that holding the Arrow by hand is best, and often easiest in the end, but there are times when a tripod is useful and there are some who experiment with portable AzEl rotators and Arrows. No question the Arrow gets heavy in the hand after a while and a tripod with a loose ball head can let you manipulate the arrow by hand while still using the tripod to bear the weight.
One problem with using an Arrow on a tripod is the lack of a counter-balance extension. (I wish that Arrow would sell one, but many have fabricated their own). With a counter-balance you can use a lighter-weight tripod, but without you need a heavier tripod that won't fall over when your antenna is pointing lower on the horizon (i.e., more horizontal).
73 Ken VA7KBM
On 2019-04-24 10:03 a.m., David Swanson via AMSAT-BB wrote:
This. One million times this. I don't know why this is still even a discussion on [AMSAT-BB] yet it comes up at least once a month. Just search through the archives and you'll find roughly 500000 topics involving 'tripods'.
If you are physically capable of holding the arrow, do it. Any other methods are compromises that will impair your ability to hear the bird, and interfere with other operators if you aren't careful.
-Dave, KG5CCI
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 11:34 AM Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Guess I need to work on my antenna-holding exercises :-)
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 12:26 PM Gabriel Zeifman <gabrielzeifman@gmail.com wrote:
I think any successful portable operator would highly recommend you ditch the tripod and hold the antenna. It allows rapid and accurate polarity matching and tracking and it’s really not so difficult.
73, Gabe AL6D/VE6NJH
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 5:27 AM Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and
do
a 90 degree turn.
Chris KC1E
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas _______________________________________________ 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas _______________________________________________ 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: https://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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
My favorite tripod for the Arrow is the Amazon Basics tripod w/Pistol Grip:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LQX0P8Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_...
AmazonBasics 70-Inch Pistol Grip Tripod with Bag
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 10:58 AM Ken M via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
No doubt that holding the Arrow by hand is best, and often easiest in the end, but there are times when a tripod is useful and there are some who experiment with portable AzEl rotators and Arrows. No question the Arrow gets heavy in the hand after a while and a tripod with a loose ball head can let you manipulate the arrow by hand while still using the tripod to bear the weight.
One problem with using an Arrow on a tripod is the lack of a counter-balance extension. (I wish that Arrow would sell one, but many have fabricated their own). With a counter-balance you can use a lighter-weight tripod, but without you need a heavier tripod that won't fall over when your antenna is pointing lower on the horizon (i.e., more horizontal).
73 Ken VA7KBM
On 2019-04-24 10:03 a.m., David Swanson via AMSAT-BB wrote:
This. One million times this. I don't know why this is still even a discussion on [AMSAT-BB] yet it comes up at least once a month. Just
search
through the archives and you'll find roughly 500000 topics involving 'tripods'.
If you are physically capable of holding the arrow, do it. Any other methods are compromises that will impair your ability to hear the bird,
and
interfere with other operators if you aren't careful.
-Dave, KG5CCI
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 11:34 AM Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Guess I need to work on my antenna-holding exercises :-)
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 12:26 PM Gabriel Zeifman <
gabrielzeifman@gmail.com
wrote:
I think any successful portable operator would highly recommend you
ditch
the tripod and hold the antenna. It allows rapid and accurate polarity matching and tracking and it’s really not so difficult.
73, Gabe AL6D/VE6NJH
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 5:27 AM Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight
and
do
a 90 degree turn.
Chris KC1E
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas _______________________________________________ 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:
https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas _______________________________________________ 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: https://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: https://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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I made a simple antenna mount from a broken camera tripod (no platform on top) and a few pieces of PVC. The plastic just press-fits together and drops over the tripod shaft, so I have az, el, and polarity rotation at very little expense. The antenna boom fits through the PVC T-fitting before the elements are attached, making the antenna balanced as well.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0kjwtig9tyd7vds/ARROW%20mount.JPG?dl=0
Dave, W8AAS
... search through the archives and you'll find roughly 500000 topics involving 'tripods'.
The amsat-bb archive is open to all at: https://www.amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/
It is possible to search AMSAT's archives (amsat-bb and ANS) by using the "site:" command in Google. For example, to find all mentions of the word "tripod" in amsat-bb, type this line into a browser opened to the Google front page:
Tripod site:http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb
To restrict the search to a particular year, type:
Tripod site:http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2014
The AMSAT News Service (ANS) archives are searchable in a similar manner (for example hamvention in 2016):
hamvention site:http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2016
-- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm@amsat.org
I like the Amazon Basics tripod w/Pistol Grip:
AmazonBasics 70-Inch Pistol Grip Tripod with Bag
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LQX0P8Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_...
The Arrow comes with a 1/2-20 female thread for mounting with a camera tripod. 73s Robert MacHaleKE6BLR Ham Radio Licensehttp://spaceCommunicator.club Supporting Boy Scout Merit Badges in Radio and Space Exploration
On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 9:34:57 AM PDT, Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
Guess I need to work on my antenna-holding exercises :-)
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 12:26 PM Gabriel Zeifman gabrielzeifman@gmail.com wrote:
I think any successful portable operator would highly recommend you ditch the tripod and hold the antenna. It allows rapid and accurate polarity matching and tracking and it’s really not so difficult.
73, Gabe AL6D/VE6NJH
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 5:27 AM Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and do a 90 degree turn.
Chris KC1E
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas _______________________________________________ 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I started with a tripod I bought at the local thrift store (Goodwill) for $10. It was not suitable for camera work, but did just fine for satellite work.
The tripod helped a lot when I used an HT and attempted to write everything on a notepad.
It was like training wheels on a bicycle! While I was learning, it made all the difference.
I noticed after some time -- and watching YouTube videos of satellite operations -- that all the experienced operators did not use a tripod. They held the antenna in their hand.
So, I thought I would try it.
Getting an inline audio recorder and a head set helped quite a bit. I have heard that a foot switch is also quite helpful.
And, after not much time at all, I became quite comfortable using the Arrow using only one hand. It is much, much better for matching axial rotation. And, it gives you a feel for the satellite when you twist your wrist and hear the difference in the audio signal -- in my case, it is now automatic, like driving a car, to hand-orient the antenna while adjusting for Doppler and glancing at the tracking software on the smartphone.
An improvement I would very much like to make is to modify the Arrow's boom to be a LidStick, a la Mike W8LID's excellent idea: https://twitter.com/w8lid/status/976267117183033346?lang=en
So, get a tripod but plan on using it only for a while. You will want to switch to full manual after not much time. :)
-- bag
Bryan KL7CN/W6 Location: CM98, usually E-Mail: bryan@KL7CN.net Telephone/SMS: 408-836-7279
On Apr 24, 2019, at 06:26, Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and do a 90 degree turn.
Chris KC1E
-- Chris Pohlad-Thomas
participants (9)
-
Bryan KL7CN -
Chris Pohlad-Thomas -
Dave Taylor -
David Swanson -
Gabriel Zeifman -
JoAnne K9JKM -
KE6BLR Robert -
Ken M -
Robert MacHale