OTA Mounts, Towers, Rigging Hardware - Page 123 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

roger1818 · 2012-07-30, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TekiusFanatikus

can I also reuse the underground conduit to route the antenna cable inside the house?

Are you sure there is an underground conduit? Often they bury cables surrounded in sand.

johnnyzee99 · 2012-08-17, 10:59 AM

Got my buddy's antenna installed and we where able to get all the local channels from the CN Tower, and only the CW from the US.

I reused the Sat mast but it doesn't seem high enough. I was thinking about getting a PVC pipe and inserting it into the mast to give us some more height.

Is this the route I should be taking?

John
http://themancavecinema.com

DrSat · 2012-08-17, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyzee99

Got my buddy's antenna installed and we where able to get all the local channels from the CN Tower, and only the CW from the US.

I reused the Sat mast but it doesn't seem high enough. I was thinking about getting a PVC pipe and inserting it into the mast to give us some more height.

Is this the route I should be taking?

John
http://themancavecinema.com

A satellite J-pipe mast is NOT designed to be extended like this and you would risk having the antenna fall off the mast during a heavy wind storm. You will need to relocate the mount above the roofline, preferably near the peak for maximum performance.

It is best to get a professional installer to properly install and align your antenna if you don't have experience doing so.

Regards,

Dr. Sat

Bjorn416 · 2012-08-17, 02:08 PM

Quote:

I was thinking about getting a PVC pipe and inserting it into the mast to give us some more height.

Don’t use PVC for a mast. It’s neither stiff nor strong enough – it flexes like a wet noodle. See thread: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=96673&highlight=plastics

Use galvanized steel pipe – it’s stiff, strong and inexpensive. Good alternatives are electrical conduit (EMT), fence top rail and fence posts, depending on the pipe diameter you want. All are readily available from stores like Home Depot, Rona, Lowes and Home Hardware.

roger1818 · 2012-08-17, 02:18 PM

I agree with both DrSat (partially) and Bjorn416. Don't extend a J-pole as they aren't designed for that (I also don't recommend J-poles for most antennas as they are only designed for small dishes), and don't use PVC for your mast, use galvanized steel.

Aligning the antenna isn't rocket science and can be done by yourself (with a helper of course). A professional installer is good if you are not comfortable with heights.

DrSat · 2012-08-17, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bjorn416

[COLOR=black]Use galvanized steel pipe – it’s stiff, strong and inexpensive. Good alternatives are electrical conduit (EMT), fence top rail and fence posts, depending on the pipe diameter you want. All are readily available from stores like Home Depot, Rona, Lowes and Home Hardware.

Didn't you see what I just posted? A J-Pipe mast is NOT designed to be extended by any sort of mast pipe regardless if it's PVC or steel. Inserting a long mast on a J-Pipe will cause undue stress on the 4 masonry screws securing the shoe on the wall and will eventually fail.

The proper way to mount an antenna on the wall is by using a pair of wall brackets such as the Channel Master 18” Heavy-duty Wall Mount instead of a satellite J-pipe in order to secure your mast. This way, you would be able to have the antenna above the roofline with the mast still attached to the wall.

Regards,

Dr. Sat

ota_canuck · 2012-08-17, 03:33 PM

There is probably more wind loading using a dish than the wind loading of some small antennas, so it will depend on the antenna's weight, size and wind loading. Extending a mast onto a J-Pipe is OK up to 5ft as long as your antenna is small in size and has very low wind resistance such as a Stealt Hawk, a reflectorless GH or a reflectorless bow-tie design.

I have installed a few light weight Stealth Hawk antennas onto an extended J-pipe and there have been no wind damage issues. I would recommend re-mounting the J-pipe higher near the peak and limit the length of the any addition mast extention to 5ft.

As far as the antenna aiming is concerned, it's all about trial and error or installing a rotor for remote aiming.

Mast material? Use metal,.. because using plastic is too flimsy in wind and the movement could cause vibration/sway/fatigue upon the J-pipe mounting bolts.

ota_canuck · 2012-08-17, 03:59 PM

Saveandreplay seem to have an adapter for extending J-pole.

http://overtheair.saveandreplay.com/ota_mounts.asp
12 Inch Pipe Adaptor Converters 1.65" to 2" Outer Diameter Wild Blue and Winegard J-pole Compatible

Use that existing pole and save money! Just slide the lip over the edge of the existing pipe and tighten the bolts.

Product Features
O.D.: 2 inches
Length: 12 inches
Heavy-duty 14 gauge steel
Adapter slides onto existing pipe
Fits onto 1.65" Outer Diameter

DrSat · 2012-08-17, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ota_canuck

Saveandreplay seem to have an adapter for extending J-pole.

http://overtheair.saveandreplay.com/ota_mounts.asp
12 Inch Pipe Adaptor Converters 1.65" to 2" Outer Diameter Wild Blue and Winegard J-pole Compatible

Use that existing pole and save money! Just slide the lip over the edge of the existing pipe and tighten the bolts.

Product Features
O.D.: 2 inches
Length: 12 inches
Heavy-duty 14 gauge steel
Adapter slides onto existing pipe
Fits onto 1.65" Outer Diameter

This is actually used to increase the mast diameter from 1.65" to 2" in order to install a larger satellite dish that requires a 2" OD mast. The length of the "adapter" piece is only 12 inches which is safe to use as it does not significantly increase wind load on the J-pipe mast but you won't get much benefit raising your antenna by only 1 ft.

Regards,

Dr. Sat

ota_canuck · 2012-08-17, 05:35 PM

DrSat,
Yup, I knew it was intended as a pipe dia re-sizer!

but only a measly 1ft length.

Unfortunately johnnyzee99 did not provide enough information about the antenna that he used. A simple light weight Stealth Hawk antenna would be fine with an extended mast on the J-pole, however with a CM4228 it would be a disaster on a windy day.

Posts from #784 to here probably belong in an antenna mount thread where it can be discussed in detail regarding light weight antenna sizes and wind tolerance that a j-pole mount method can withstand with and/or without adding length to the mast.

I wonder how many people have used J-poles for antennas with/without extended masts?

___________________________
found the 'antenna mounting' thread here: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=29559

j0dest3r · 2012-08-17, 08:37 PM

My RCA ANT751 had one in the box and shows it being used in the instructions. I used a chimney mount with straps and galvanized pipe though.

interdit_450 · 2012-08-19, 09:09 PM

I've used a standard dish J-pole for CS2's and an extended J-pole (the 39" version) for a CM4228HD. Still solid after the years although in one case I added a local 2x8 backer board in the attic and used very long screws to bolt the base down through the roof and into the backer as it was a very windy area and the roof was made of that "new construction" plywood-type sheets

When installing on a brick wall, I found it's important to place the mount such that each mounting screw lands on a different brick and to use tap-cons with a thermoplastic sealer. The rookie mistakes I've seen are people putting two screws on the same brick and in most cases too close to the ends of the bricks and using the cheap plastic inserts with no waterproofing. Give it enough wet / freeze cycles and you've got yourself not only an antenna mounting problem but a masonry problem as well ...

Pro gunner · 2012-08-23, 11:48 AM

Johnnyzee99 - apologies if this is already known, but you have to rescan your channels with EVERY repositioning of the antenna.

How did you determine to position your antenna? Look at the graphic included with checking your friend's address on TVFOOL.COM and see if pointing the antenna to the more US signals (followed by a rescan) will yield more US channels.

Then, the exercise is finding the best sweet spot (or invest in another antenna). Obviously a rotator makes this exercise easier.

roger1818 · 2012-08-23, 03:56 PM

I am a great believer in using the right tool for the job so I don't understand why so many people are so dead set on using a J-Pole for their TV antenna. A proper antenna mount (be it a wall mount, chimney mount, eave mount, tripod or tower) will be much sturdier as it will distribute the load over a larger area. Many of those mounts don't cost much more than a J-Pole so why risk the possibility of expensive problems (broken antenna or property damage) to save a couple bucks?

fireflimoon · 2012-09-04, 07:51 PM

Anyone know how far apart the lag bolts are for the Channel Master 18” Heavy-duty Wall Mounts? Do other wall mounts have less distance between the lag bolts?

Thanks

2012-08-17, 02:18 PM	#1835
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,613	I agree with both DrSat (partially) and Bjorn416. Don't extend a J-pole as they aren't designed for that (I also don't recommend J-poles for most antennas as they are only designed for small dishes), and don't use PVC for your mast, use galvanized steel. Aligning the antenna isn't rocket science and can be done by yourself (with a helper of course). A professional installer is good if you are not comfortable with heights. __________________ Link to my TVFool results is in my profile Homepage URL. I suggest others do the same.

2012-08-17, 03:33 PM	#1837
ota_canuck Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dunnville, Ontario on the Grand River, North shore Lake Erie Posts: 2,405	There is probably more wind loading using a dish than the wind loading of some small antennas, so it will depend on the antenna's weight, size and wind loading. Extending a mast onto a J-Pipe is OK up to 5ft as long as your antenna is small in size and has very low wind resistance such as a Stealt Hawk, a reflectorless GH or a reflectorless bow-tie design. I have installed a few light weight Stealth Hawk antennas onto an extended J-pipe and there have been no wind damage issues. I would recommend re-mounting the J-pipe higher near the peak and limit the length of the any addition mast extention to 5ft. As far as the antenna aiming is concerned, it's all about trial and error or installing a rotor for remote aiming. Mast material? Use metal,.. because using plastic is too flimsy in wind and the movement could cause vibration/sway/fatigue upon the J-pipe mounting bolts. __________________ 3D SSH III with ZZ4 refl. http://imageshack.us/user/jmsdigital

2012-08-17, 03:59 PM	#1838
ota_canuck Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dunnville, Ontario on the Grand River, North shore Lake Erie Posts: 2,405	12 Inch Pipe Adaptor Saveandreplay seem to have an adapter for extending J-pole. http://overtheair.saveandreplay.com/ota_mounts.asp 12 Inch Pipe Adaptor Converters 1.65" to 2" Outer Diameter Wild Blue and Winegard J-pole Compatible Use that existing pole and save money! Just slide the lip over the edge of the existing pipe and tighten the bolts. Product Features O.D.: 2 inches Length: 12 inches Heavy-duty 14 gauge steel Adapter slides onto existing pipe Fits onto 1.65" Outer Diameter __________________ 3D SSH III with ZZ4 refl. http://imageshack.us/user/jmsdigital

2012-08-17, 05:35 PM	#1840
ota_canuck Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dunnville, Ontario on the Grand River, North shore Lake Erie Posts: 2,405	DrSat, Yup, I knew it was intended as a pipe dia re-sizer! but only a measly 1ft length. Unfortunately johnnyzee99 did not provide enough information about the antenna that he used. A simple light weight Stealth Hawk antenna would be fine with an extended mast on the J-pole, however with a CM4228 it would be a disaster on a windy day. Posts from #784 to here probably belong in an antenna mount thread where it can be discussed in detail regarding light weight antenna sizes and wind tolerance that a j-pole mount method can withstand with and/or without adding length to the mast. I wonder how many people have used J-poles for antennas with/without extended masts? ___________________________ found the 'antenna mounting' thread here: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=29559 __________________ 3D SSH III with ZZ4 refl. http://imageshack.us/user/jmsdigital Last edited by ota_canuck; 2012-08-17 at 05:42 PM. Reason: added Digital Home link

2012-08-23, 03:56 PM	#1844
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,613	I am a great believer in using the right tool for the job so I don't understand why so many people are so dead set on using a J-Pole for their TV antenna. A proper antenna mount (be it a wall mount, chimney mount, eave mount, tripod or tower) will be much sturdier as it will distribute the load over a larger area. Many of those mounts don't cost much more than a J-Pole so why risk the possibility of expensive problems (broken antenna or property damage) to save a couple bucks? __________________ Link to my TVFool results is in my profile Homepage URL. I suggest others do the same.

2012-08-17, 10:59 AM	#1832
johnnyzee99 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 30	Got my buddy's antenna installed and we where able to get all the local channels from the CN Tower, and only the CW from the US. I reused the Sat mast but it doesn't seem high enough. I was thinking about getting a PVC pipe and inserting it into the mast to give us some more height. Is this the route I should be taking? John http://themancavecinema.com

2012-08-17, 08:37 PM	#1841
j0dest3r Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,619	My RCA ANT751 had one in the box and shows it being used in the instructions. I used a chimney mount with straps and galvanized pipe though.

2012-08-19, 09:09 PM	#1842
interdit_450 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: OTA setups in Pointe-Claire & NDG (Qc) Posts: 252	I've used a standard dish J-pole for CS2's and an extended J-pole (the 39" version) for a CM4228HD. Still solid after the years although in one case I added a local 2x8 backer board in the attic and used very long screws to bolt the base down through the roof and into the backer as it was a very windy area and the roof was made of that "new construction" plywood-type sheets When installing on a brick wall, I found it's important to place the mount such that each mounting screw lands on a different brick and to use tap-cons with a thermoplastic sealer. The rookie mistakes I've seen are people putting two screws on the same brick and in most cases too close to the ends of the bricks and using the cheap plastic inserts with no waterproofing. Give it enough wet / freeze cycles and you've got yourself not only an antenna mounting problem but a masonry problem as well ...

2012-08-23, 11:48 AM	#1843
Pro gunner Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Maplewood / Tattersall area - Saanich, BC Posts: 98	Johnnyzee99 - apologies if this is already known, but you have to rescan your channels with EVERY repositioning of the antenna. How did you determine to position your antenna? Look at the graphic included with checking your friend's address on TVFOOL.COM and see if pointing the antenna to the more US signals (followed by a rescan) will yield more US channels. Then, the exercise is finding the best sweet spot (or invest in another antenna). Obviously a rotator makes this exercise easier.

2012-09-04, 07:51 PM	#1845
fireflimoon Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 155	Anyone know how far apart the lag bolts are for the Channel Master 18” Heavy-duty Wall Mounts? Do other wall mounts have less distance between the lag bolts? Thanks

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode