Posted: 2/8/2014 2:06:31 PM EDT
Keeping in accordance with the "Antenna vs. Outside Weather Rule", I worked on raising the fan dipole approx. 10 feet at its north end and approx. 15 at its south end today. Temp was about 10 degrees and snowing so no doubt there will be some improvement! 
Trudging through the snow in our backyard, I realized we have almost 24 inches on the ground and more is coming. 
Worked 4 quick JT65 contacts on 10m immediately afterwards along with about 10 JT65 contacts on 20m. Never had much luck on 10 meters before this, so I'm hoping this was the result of raising the antenna to above the roof line of the house. As a bonus, Hogsniper was one of the contacts I made…THANKS KEVIN!!! Always cool to find an ARFCOM brother on the air. 
Installed a mast on the peak on the second floor roof to raise the south end up- 
View of the dipole now that it has been elevated. Added 10 feet of mast to an existing 20 mast at the north- 
Picture of the crank-up mast I built just before Winter took over…waiting impatiently for Spring to arrive so I can utilize the mast. It will extend to approx 56 feet- 
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Quoted: I dunno. That's not a whole lot of snow. Might be worth maybe 1.5 - 2 dB gain if you put up an antenna while it's on the roof. But if there's ice under it, add another 3 dB. Of course, if you were down South, it'd be worth at least 10 dB. |
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Quoted:
Optimum gain can only be achieved if install is undertaken in inclement weather AND installer is nekid. Quoted:
Quoted:
I dunno. That's not a whole lot of snow. Might be worth maybe 1.5 - 2 dB gain if you put up an antenna while it's on the roof. But if there's ice under it, add another 3 dB. Of course, if you were down South, it'd be worth at least 10 dB. YIKES  And I had appendages sticking to the masts fully clothed! I can't imagine…never mind 
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Quoted:
What are the details on that crank up mast? I fabricated the telescoping mast using 21 foot lengths of 2", 1-1/2" and 1" galvanized pipe. They telescope inside one another using a winch, wire rope and a couple of pulleys. This assembly tilts and is mounted to 2 other 2" galv. pipes that are concreted in the ground. It uses an additional winch to allow the mast to tilt horizontally. I can post some additional pictures this weekend if you're interested. 
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