Mounting antennas atop rowhomes?
 

I want to get a simple omnidirectional antenna in the air. Part of the
issue is that I have heard hairy stories about attaching the antennas to
the chimney. Problem is that I live in a rowhome. The front and rear is
stucco. Really the only thing to attach it to is the chimney...

I can drill into the stucco in the rear of the house, I guess... but
would like to get some ideas?

I am thinking something for 440/1.2G. But that's just the beginning
(since it's the smallest, I am figuring). Additionally, whatever the
mechanics of what I put up, it - the mounts - should be able to support
larger antennas for the lower bands for the future.

Any ideas would be helpful. I kinda want to do this right to save myself
pains of structural damage to the house 10 years down the road.

-E

Mounting antennas atop rowhomes?
 

Mounting antennas atop rowhomes?
 

When I lived in Chicago, my two story house was on a small lot, and the
house were close together. So there was no room for anything except a
vertical. The easiest way was for me to attach it to the chimney. My
antenna was a Butternut HF6V that was around 30' long. I don't remember
exactly how long. Anyway, I went to Radio Shack and got this kit for
attaching to the chimney. It had two ratchet mechinisms that had straps
attached. I put one on the chimney, just above the roof about 6". The
other was put almost at the top. The straps went around the chimney sides
and back in the ratchet and then you tightened it. Then you slipped the
vertical in the two supports and tightened.

I had that vertical up in snow and ice storms and never had any problems. I
couldn't have put beams up because they would have stuck over the property
line and over my neighbor's roof, which wouldn't have gone over very well.

Anyway, that's one thing that worked.

Mounting antennas atop rowhomes?
 

On Thu, 30 Nov 2006 23:42:28 -0500, "E. Recio"
e_recio_polywog_org_FirstTwo_at_SecondTwo@foobar. com wrote:

I want to get a simple omnidirectional antenna in the air. Part of the
issue is that I have heard hairy stories about attaching the antennas to
the chimney. Problem is that I live in a rowhome. The front and rear is
stucco. Really the only thing to attach it to is the chimney...

I can drill into the stucco in the rear of the house, I guess... but
would like to get some ideas?

I am thinking something for 440/1.2G. But that's just the beginning
(since it's the smallest, I am figuring). Additionally, whatever the
mechanics of what I put up, it - the mounts - should be able to support
larger antennas for the lower bands for the future.

Any ideas would be helpful. I kinda want to do this right to save myself
pains of structural damage to the house 10 years down the road.

-E

A metal mast (like from Home Depot or Lowes) for TV antennas, and
three guy wires.

bob
k5qwg

Mounting antennas atop rowhomes?
 

Rod Maupin wrote:

When I lived in Chicago, my two story house was on a small lot, and the
house were close together. So there was no room for anything except a
vertical. The easiest way was for me to attach it to the chimney. My
antenna was a Butternut HF6V that was around 30' long. I don't remember
exactly how long. Anyway, I went to Radio Shack and got this kit for
attaching to the chimney. It had two ratchet mechinisms that had straps
attached. I put one on the chimney, just above the roof about 6". The
other was put almost at the top. The straps went around the chimney sides
and back in the ratchet and then you tightened it. Then you slipped the
vertical in the two supports and tightened.

I had that vertical up in snow and ice storms and never had any problems. I
couldn't have put beams up because they would have stuck over the property
line and over my neighbor's roof, which wouldn't have gone over very well.

Anyway, that's one thing that worked.



There is a CAUTION for chimney mounted antennas! The normal brick chimney is
design and built for vertical loads [concrete and bricks]. It is not designed
for any torque loads [twist and/or bends].

Small tv antennas seem to be OK. I would be cautious with larger Ham antennas.

/s/ DD