[amsat-bb] Mounting Arrow Antennas

[R.T.Liddy]

I created a mounting foot that makes a quick attachment toa camera tripod for my Arrow. It is near the end of the boomso that the 2m reflector doesn't get hung up on the tripodlegs as the antenna is turned in every direction and polarization.I added an extension to the end of the Arrow boom with aweight on it to balance the antenna on the tripod. Every elementof the antenna is forward of the tripod.  All this allows me toleave the antenna unattended while I fiddle with the radio.  HIHI
GL/73,      Bob   K8BL

      From: Scott <scott23192 at gmail.com>
 To: amsat-bb at amsat.org 
 Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 9:36 AM
 Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Mounting Arrow Antennas
   
I did exactly that, Lance.  It just seemed like the logical way to tripod mount the thing to me.

Using cheap tripods from BestBuy, I just did a finger-balance on the assembled Arrow & used a couple of small screws to mount the base plate that comes with the tripod (so it's easily removable from the tripod).  After seeing that it worked so well, I added a little JB Weld (2-part epoxy type of product) to reinforce the connection.

It's plastic, so leaving it on there for hand-held use has not been an issue.

Here's a pic:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/10509shc38j9ywn/arrows.jpg?dl=0

-Scott, K4KDR
Montpelier, VA  USA



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lance Homer 
  To: amsat-bb at amsat.org 
  Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 01:56
  Subject: [amsat-bb] Mounting Arrow Antennas


  I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into
  communicating via satellites.  As I've been looking into the Elk vs the
  Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and
  the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on the
  far end at the handle.  Many use a counterweight but some do not.  I was
  wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced
  weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this?
  (As I try to imagine the motion needed it still seems possible to me to
  have the elements not hit the tripod legs if you can extend the head of the
  tripod up a bit.)  If it can be done I assume it would need to be a
  non-metal tri-pod??  I'm also thinking of mounting the antenna I choose
  (Elk or Arrow) to a tall fiberglass mast.  If I can't mount the arrow in
  the middle then  I would worry about the leverage that it would create
  which is one reason the Elk seems appealing....but at the same time I
  assume the Alaskan has the most gain which interests me for non-satellite
  uses.

  Thanks,
  Lance / K7LQH
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