Umbrella base for pole to fit antenna

[comfortably_numb]

I'm still experimenting with OTA antennas at my new apartment. The mudflap works OK, but we had a dust/wind/rain storm the other day and it all but blew it away. I moved it indoors where the antenna is safer but the signals are marginal.

I bought a traditional Yagi antenna from Amazon and it seems to work more consistently, plus it's meant for outdoors where the mudflap is not.

Anyway, I've had success using umbrella bases paired with a fence post for satellite dishes, and I figured that could work for this as well. I'm just not sure where or what to get and what size pole for this application.

 

[TRG]

I'm still experimenting with OTA antennas at my new apartment. The mudflap works OK, but we had a dust/wind/rain storm the other day and it all but blew it away. I moved it indoors where the antenna is safer but the signals are marginal.

I bought a traditional Yagi antenna from Amazon and it seems to work more consistently, plus it's meant for outdoors where the mudflap is not.

Anyway, I've had success using umbrella bases paired with a fence post for satellite dishes, and I figured that could work for this as well. I'm just not sure where or what to get and what size pole for this application.

View attachment 191342View attachment 191343

Go to Home Depot and buy a length of "Top Rail" used in making chain link fences. I used a 10' section to mount my Winegard which is probably 4X the size of the yagi you bought from Amazon. It's been up for 15+ years of NM springtime winds and storms with no issues. They make 2 sizes. 1 3/8" and 1 5/8" diameter. Do you have a balcony railing you can clamp to?

BTW does that antenna do VHF HI or is it just UHF?

 

[comfortably_numb]

BTW does that antenna do VHF HI or is it just UHF?

It does great on VHF. KOAT and KQRE come in good outside

https://a.co/d/07E4fhdg

 

[comfortably_numb]

This is the base I'm considering:

Mainstays Outdoor 26lb Steel Round Umbrella Base, Black Finish - Walmart.com

Buy Mainstays Outdoor 26lb Steel Round Umbrella Base, Black Finish at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[TRG]

I'm pretty sure this is what I used. Dang, the prices sure have gone up. I think I paid $8 15 years ago.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-Chain-Link-Fence-1-3-8-in-Diameter-x-10-ft-Long-17-Gauge-Thick-Galvanized-Steel-Top-Rail-Post-328913DPTEB/312373065

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[comfortably_numb]

I'm pretty sure this is what I used. Dang, the prices sure have gone up. I think I paid $8 15 years ago.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-Chain-Link-Fence-1-3-8-in-Diameter-x-10-ft-Long-17-Gauge-Thick-Galvanized-Steel-Top-Rail-Post-328913DPTEB/312373065

I suppose PVC would probably work also?

 

[TRG]

It does great on VHF. KOAT and KQRE come in good outside

https://a.co/d/07E4fhdg

Cool, that's where I was going with that question. When I got my Winegard HD7694 I specifically went for an antenna that would do VHF Hi and UHF. I think they were still making antennas that covered VHF Low at the time. Obviously the VHF Low made the antennas quite a bit larger and unnecessary for this area. I went overkill with the antenna to make up for the 7dB insertion loss of the 4 way splitter I wanted to use. And I didn't want to deal with an amplifier. It worked out great. According to RabbitEars I'm only 8 miles from the transmitter.

 

[TRG]

I suppose PVC would probably work also?

Yeah, I guess so. I've never tried that though. I'd be concerned with UV deterioration from the NM sun. Some PVC may be UV resistant. I just don't know.

 

[Foxbat]

I suppose PVC would probably work also?

Yeah, I guess so. I've never tried that though. I'd be concerned with UV deterioration from the NM sun. Some PVC may be UV resistant. I just don't know.

I would be concerned with the heat and its effect on bending of the PVC. I would think at the 1-1/2" O.D. even Schedule 80 wouldn't be stiff enough to prevent movement in a strong wind. It might be too much movement and deteriorate ATSC reception if it's much more than 4' long.

 

[Jimbo]

I suppose PVC would probably work also?

If your going to go that route, go with the Heavy thickness if its available.
I was going to suggest a Galvanized Steel pipe.

If your buying this stuff locally, it can't hurt to try and you can always change if you need something heavier.

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[dfergie]

?

 

[Jimbo]

I suppose PVC would probably work also?

I have a piece of 1 1/2 PVC ... 4ft the heavy stuff sitting in the garage, doing nothing ... it's yours, just pick it up !

Are you coming to Ohio anytime soon ...
I haven't made a trip to the new Buc-ees yet !

 

[comfortably_numb]

?

Can't drill into the stucco.

 

[osu1991]

Can't drill into the stucco.

Couple of 2x4 or 2x6 to bolt it on and something to weight it down in the winds sitting on the patio out of the way

 

[dfergie]

Couple of 2x4 or 2x6 to bolt it on and something to weight it down in the winds sitting on the patio out of the way

I used same with DirecTV dish tent camping overnight before getting campers way back when. (Inverter & 9" tv, would drive till almost dark & set up camp in the local forest or BLM land)

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[comfortably_numb]

Are you coming to Ohio anytime soon ...

When I go now, I fly into DAY or CMH

 

[comfortably_numb]

 

[comfortably_numb]

So far this is working quite well. The pole is a long piece of wood I found at work. Eventually I'll find something more permanent.

Investment so far- $25 for the antenna and $25 for the 26 LB base.

 

[cpalmer2k]

I would be concerned with the heat and its effect on bending of the PVC. I would think at the 1-1/2" O.D. even Schedule 80 wouldn't be stiff enough to prevent movement in a strong wind. It might be too much movement and deteriorate ATSC reception if it's much more than 4' long.

PVC does bend over time from the heat. I tried using it for a pretty lightweight weather station and it's all bent now due to sun exposure.

 

[comfortably_numb]

What is the stuff installers use to seal the area around coax point of entry? The Comcast guy used it to seal his RG6 run for broadband. I want to do that for my antenna line..

It's like a clear plastic goo that hardens in a short period of time

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