Topband: 8 element antenna - Amplifier placement

[Bob K6UJ]

Gary,

The Hi-Z's are said to be great receive ants.  Let us know how
yours performs.
I cant offer anything on the preamp enclosure but I can
offer some info on the paint.
I used Krylons Camo spray paint on two verticals and it worked
very well.  No RF issues.

Here is the stuff:
https://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K04293000-Camouflage-Technology-11-Ounce/dp/B00176UX26/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474310890&sr=8-1&keywords=krylon+camo+spray+paint

Bob
K6UJ



On 9/19/16 10:41 AM, Gary Smith wrote:
> I'm so close to being done with putting
> this together. I have all 8 antennas made
> @ 23' each the tip section is .5" and the
> base is .850" I'm using a 3/4" fiberglass
> rod as an insulator
>
> doctorgary.net/Hi-Z-8-Pro-1.jpg
> doctorgary.net/Hi-Z-8-Pro-2.jpg
>
> I am having a conundrum with the placement
> of the enclosure for the preamp mounted at
> each antenna and need some advice. The
> problem is I am at sea level and the
> antennas will be mounted in a location
> that will possibly get a storm surge
> during a Hurricane, it ruined my remote
> coax switch during Sandy from this very
> reason. The preamp does have a silicone
> gasket but if the amp gets submerged in
> salt water, I'm sure it will get past the
> terminals and ruin the amp. I have no
> alternate choice, this is the location
> where I have to put the array.
>
> Seeing the photo of the end cap on the PVC
> tubing with the zip tie holding the amp in
> place (to protect from rain & Snow), gave
> me an idea for the solution; At the top of
> the PVC tube, make two opposing holes, run
> a loose loop of thin wire through and
> twist together. Run the coax up & over the
> wire to hold the amp elevated inside the
> tube, all the way to the top. Use a rubber
> cap with radiator clamp to secure the top
> and make it truly airtight. Now if the
> tide water from a storm surge encroaches,
> there will be a pocket of air inside and
> will be unable to push high enough to
> reach the amplifier. I tried this with a
> Mason jar and the water did not get very
> high in the upside down jar.
>
> doctorgary.net/Hi-Z-8-Pro-3.jpg
>
> So here's the dilemma: As a further hedge
> against water damage assuming there are
> strong winds making waves (they would not
> be breakers, just waves in the marsh) at
> this time, I'd like to raise the placement
> of the amplifier so it would be another
> foot higher than standard placement which
> is on the base below the insulator. This
> would require me to clamp the PVC on the
> antenna instead of the base. Can anyone
> see how this might be a problem with
> operation?
>
> Also, I'd like to spray camo paint on the
> elements so they don't stand out. When the
> leaves come down, I'd prefer the neighbors
> not see the elements, they're nosy enough
> as it is. I think I remember reading a
> layer of paint on the element shouldn't
> cause a problem, is this correct?
>
> Thanks & 73,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
>
>
>
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