currently in the process of building a SBGH.

quick question about the mesh screen. Does the 1" split run horizontally or vertically? (eg. top half and bottom half, or left half, right half?)

and, what does everyone recommend for a cheap but effective mesh screen? (all my other materials I was lucky enough to have kicking around)

thanks!!

- mnx

I believe it runs horizontally. The cheapest thing I've used was aluminum foil I wrapped around a piece of card board.

I believe it runs horizontally. The cheapest thing I've used was aluminum foil I wrapped around a piece of card board.
I assumed horiztonal but the rods (for the co-linear rod model) are split left and right (vertically). I'm planning on using it outdoors, so foil and cardboard is not an option...

thx

- mnx

Does the 1" split run horizontally or vertically? (eg. top half and bottom half, or left half, right half?)

The split is done vertically, e.g. the screen is splitted in left and right parts by the center 1" strip (see this post (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=710692&postcount=73)): Horizontal split is not recommended.

mnx,

I don't think it is worth the trouble to split the screen if you use a solid one, or rather something like chicken wire which has about a 1" x 6 sided "hole". I guess the trouble is finding just 75" of the material rather than about 300' of it. You might be able to get a small amount at a local hardware store instead of Home Depot or equivalent. From what I gleaned from Autofils, the difference in splitting the screen vertically amounted to less than 1 db and it was a lot easier to put one piece of screen behind the array than messing around splitting it.

So far I have been happy, except my distribution amp gave out the other day and need to get a new one. I still need to bring down the original antenna to paint it black to get it to blend into the trees, get some #6 copper wire for the array part so it is stiffer, plus I now notice that I have suspended it on the one dead limb on the tree, so I will have to make adjustments there before it falls down.

DogT