[Skimmertalk] Miniwhip Antenna questions

[John Ackermann N8UR]

I just got one of those yesterday as well.  As I understand the theory of operation (same as other active voltage probe antennas) the antenna works against the grounded mounting mast or other conductor that's tied to a ground rod at the base.  Without that grounded element, it doesn't hear anything (and I've verified that with my Clifton Labs version).  The coax shield can serve as the grounded element, BUT you need to connect it to a ground rod underneath the antenna.  Otherwise it searches for ground all the way back to the shack and picks up lots of noise along the way.

I may be mounting mine to a wood fence post, and plan to use an F connector grounding block (commonly used for cable/satellite TV) tied to a ground rod underneath the antenna.

As to height above ground, I've heard different recommendations.  Jack Smith K4ZOA at Clifton Labs believed that 10 feet was plenty high enough.

73,
John
----

On Feb 9, 2018, 10:55 AM, at 10:55 AM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:
>I received my miniwhip yesterday.  I was reading the instructions which
>
>seem to be out of date.  My miniwhip is enclosed in a pvp case so I 
>assume that it is intended to be mounted as is.
>
>The instructions also say to mount it as high as possible.  I am
>curious 
>as to how high others are placing this?  It also talks about keeping it
>
>away from metal and grounding it to the mast. What if I just screwed it
>
>on to the side of the house or used a pvc mast.  Would I want to run a 
>ground wire up to the bnc connector at the bottom?
>
>W0MU
>
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