OTA Mounts, Towers, Rigging Hardware - Page 122 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

MaxHeadroom · 2012-06-30, 11:23 PM

Why not pull the siding off temporarily so you can start pounding nails through the siding until you find studs? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bh7tHkZBMs

Bell TV installers typically crush the siding under the mount. You can use some blocks of wood to offset to avoid crushing the siding.

I'd forget about a J-pole and use a galvanized fence pole as recommended elsewhere on the forums. Then you can secure the pole at two points on your chimney wall instead of just a single point with a J-pole.

threeflags · 2012-07-05, 01:50 PM

Anyone know if 5 foot tripods are still made by brand name suppliers? All I see are 3 foot ones. BTW, anyone know how far down a mast downs into one of these when the legs are fully opened? Thanks.

Jase88 · 2012-07-05, 06:37 PM

Many retailers won't sell the 5' tripods, as they don't include the mast. But yes, they are available.

threeflags · 2012-07-06, 12:06 PM

Jase88, Any suggestions on where to look? Ontario ... GTA. Thanks.

Tom.F.1 · 2012-07-06, 11:35 PM

can't find them in ontario, but the skywalker 6030 5ft tripod can be bought online from u.s. suppliers.

If you're a real do-it-yourselfer, I made my own tri-mast.
I have a 12ft pipe on the roof peak, supported by two 8 ft lengths of unistrut.
I used some angle iron lagged into roof joists, bolted supports to angles and attched to mast pipe about 5ft up, with muffler clamps to make it adjustable.
Maybe a little oversized, might have made the roof stronger.

MapMaker · 2012-07-11, 06:46 PM

With all the waiting I'm having to do before getting my CM4228 installed, my mind comes up with questions for the experts here. Here's the latest...

I have a 10' long, 1.5" diameter galvanized pipe from Home Depot for my mast and I wonder what the pros and cons of running the coax down the inside of the pipe?

BOUVAL · 2012-07-11, 11:01 PM

MapMaker,

You will still have to run the coax back down a little from the top of the mast which will make a bend and add some length.

If you don't use a tripod, you'll have to drill a hole at the bottom of the mast. You'll also have to protect the coax from the rough edges at each end of the mast.

Simply tape the coax to the mast.
.

MapMaker · 2012-07-12, 11:58 AM

BOUVAL

My thoughts were that I would drill/file an oval hole (vertically) near where the cable attaches to the balun and protect it going through that hole with a small bit of foam pipe insulation. No bending involved.

The original idea is that the coax wouldn't be blowing in the breeze (possibly loosening the connection) plus the bonus that it would be out of sight as well. Secondarily, being a chimney mount, the coax would not be exposed to the gas hot water heater exhaust gases venting from the chimney.

I doubt tape would survive very long in the elements.

stampeder · 2012-07-12, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MapMaker

I doubt tape would survive very long in the elements

Use the good stuff properly and it will last for at least a decade up there.

Everything you will ever need to know about protecting your OTA gear in the elements is found in the OTA Waterproofing, Sealants, Adhesives, Paint, Enclosures thread.

MapMaker · 2012-07-12, 02:21 PM

stampeder

Thank you for the link but you understate when you say "everything" you should really say "more than everything"

Also, my first chance to welcome you back, I hope all is now well with you.

TekiusFanatikus · 2012-07-28, 09:14 AM

In my backyard, I have underground wiring that brings in the telecommunication services from the pole.

Can I use this pole to attach my OTA antenna (I'm assuming no)? If I were to attach it near the green boxes at the end of my lot, can I also reuse the underground conduit to route the antenna cable inside the house?

I'm just trying to find out if I can limit the holes I put into our new house

classicsat · 2012-07-28, 09:28 AM

It depends who owns the pole and the conduit. If it is the utilities, most likely no.

The green boxes are not yours to enter.

ScaryBob · 2012-07-28, 10:32 AM

The utilities would likely get quite upset. Then there are liability issues. If lighting strikes the OTA antenna it could damage a lot of equipment connected through the box.

Jase88 · 2012-07-28, 02:17 PM

Concurred with above: Don't use utility poles for antenna installations. They'll likely remove your antenna (and charge you for the costs!).

I would have no issue using an existing conduit, however. As long as there is capacity within the conduit to allow you to feed your coax through.

dscott01 · 2012-07-28, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicsat

It depends who owns the pole and the conduit. If it is the utilities, most likely no.

The green boxes are not yours to enter.

The OP hasn't provided his location. Not every utility in Canada uses green boxes for a demark

2012-07-05, 06:37 PM	#1818
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,110	Many retailers won't sell the 5' tripods, as they don't include the mast. But yes, they are available. __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2012-07-06, 11:35 PM	#1820
Tom.F.1 Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ajax, Ontario Posts: 1,928	can't find them in ontario, but the skywalker 6030 5ft tripod can be bought online from u.s. suppliers. If you're a real do-it-yourselfer, I made my own tri-mast. I have a 12ft pipe on the roof peak, supported by two 8 ft lengths of unistrut. I used some angle iron lagged into roof joists, bolted supports to angles and attched to mast pipe about 5ft up, with muffler clamps to make it adjustable. Maybe a little oversized, might have made the roof stronger. __________________ Samsung TV, Pio-Elite AVR, OppoBD, Wharfedale Speakers, Kicker Subs. Bell EVu, DB-4e OTA:)

2012-07-11, 06:46 PM	#1821
MapMaker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto 401 & Neilson Posts: 182	Running coax inside pipe With all the waiting I'm having to do before getting my CM4228 installed, my mind comes up with questions for the experts here. Here's the latest... I have a 10' long, 1.5" diameter galvanized pipe from Home Depot for my mast and I wonder what the pros and cons of running the coax down the inside of the pipe?

2012-07-11, 11:01 PM	#1822
BOUVAL Join Date: May 2011 Location: Vimont, Laval, Qc. Posts: 626	MapMaker, You will still have to run the coax back down a little from the top of the mast which will make a bend and add some length. If you don't use a tripod, you'll have to drill a hole at the bottom of the mast. You'll also have to protect the coax from the rough edges at each end of the mast. Simply tape the coax to the mast. . __________________ Mes photos: http://s1140.photobucket.com/albums/n574/BOUVAL-OTA/

2012-07-28, 09:14 AM	#1826
TekiusFanatikus Rookie Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7	Mount OTA Antenna On Utility Pole? In my backyard, I have underground wiring that brings in the telecommunication services from the pole. Can I use this pole to attach my OTA antenna (I'm assuming no)? If I were to attach it near the green boxes at the end of my lot, can I also reuse the underground conduit to route the antenna cable inside the house? I'm just trying to find out if I can limit the holes I put into our new house

2012-06-30, 11:23 PM	#1816
MaxHeadroom Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Russell, Ontario Posts: 301	Why not pull the siding off temporarily so you can start pounding nails through the siding until you find studs? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bh7tHkZBMs Bell TV installers typically crush the siding under the mount. You can use some blocks of wood to offset to avoid crushing the siding. I'd forget about a J-pole and use a galvanized fence pole as recommended elsewhere on the forums. Then you can secure the pole at two points on your chimney wall instead of just a single point with a J-pole.

2012-07-05, 01:50 PM	#1817
threeflags Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newmarket - North of Toronto Posts: 55	Anyone know if 5 foot tripods are still made by brand name suppliers? All I see are 3 foot ones. BTW, anyone know how far down a mast downs into one of these when the legs are fully opened? Thanks.

2012-07-06, 12:06 PM	#1819
threeflags Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newmarket - North of Toronto Posts: 55	Jase88, Any suggestions on where to look? Ontario ... GTA. Thanks.

2012-07-12, 11:58 AM	#1823
MapMaker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto 401 & Neilson Posts: 182	BOUVAL My thoughts were that I would drill/file an oval hole (vertically) near where the cable attaches to the balun and protect it going through that hole with a small bit of foam pipe insulation. No bending involved. The original idea is that the coax wouldn't be blowing in the breeze (possibly loosening the connection) plus the bonus that it would be out of sight as well. Secondarily, being a chimney mount, the coax would not be exposed to the gas hot water heater exhaust gases venting from the chimney. I doubt tape would survive very long in the elements.

2012-07-12, 02:21 PM	#1825
MapMaker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto 401 & Neilson Posts: 182	stampeder Thank you for the link but you understate when you say "everything" you should really say "more than everything" Also, my first chance to welcome you back, I hope all is now well with you.

2012-07-28, 09:28 AM	#1827
classicsat Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kincardine ON. Posts: 4,008	It depends who owns the pole and the conduit. If it is the utilities, most likely no. The green boxes are not yours to enter.

2012-07-28, 10:32 AM	#1828
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	The utilities would likely get quite upset. Then there are liability issues. If lighting strikes the OTA antenna it could damage a lot of equipment connected through the box. __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

2012-07-28, 02:17 PM	#1829
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,110	Concurred with above: Don't use utility poles for antenna installations. They'll likely remove your antenna (and charge you for the costs!). I would have no issue using an existing conduit, however. As long as there is capacity within the conduit to allow you to feed your coax through. __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

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