"Paul Drahn" wrote in message ...

snip


You are trying too hard to get the antenna up higher. What leads you to
believe the reception will be better with the antenna up there?

Currently I get a few channels good, more channels not too good, and other
channels if I position the antenna a certain direction out the window. My
window won't handle much bigger antenna so I'm wanting to use a bigger
antenna outdoors. Where I plan to locate the antenna would position my
aluminum sided house between the antenna and the station unless I elevate
the antenna above the house. I plan to get a new roof this year so I don't
want to mess with a roof mount at this point.

Digital and analog use the same UHF frequencies so why a "digital"
antenna?

I thought I read something about digital channels on the upper VHF band and
UHF. If that's the case then eliminating lower VHF should eliminate the
need for the largest elements on the antenna.

If you are sure you want higher, use a 40 or 50ft push up mast. each
section being 10 ft, only 1 foot is overlapping.

Set up the fully nested masts with guying at the 10 ft level, using 3 guy
wires and good ground anchors. Adjust until the set is exactly vertical.
Then attach the antenna to the top of the top mast, and/or attach the
antenna rotator. Then attach three guy wires to each of the remaining
sections guy rings while the set is still nested. Use a step ladder to
reach the mast tops.

Then climb up the step ladder so you can pull up the innermost/top section
and lock in place with a cross pin in the matching hole of the next larger
section.

Then do the same with the next larger section, and then again with the next
one. If the very first section is properly guyed and is exactly vertical,
the whole thing will stand by itself.

Then begin attaching each of the guy wires to the same ground anchors, or
other anchors, if you wish. Adjust each set so the mast remains vertical.

In about an hour, you can have the whole thing all set up. Next time you
can do it an half the time.

Paul

I've pretty much settled for a lower height, maybe 20-25 feet or so. I'd
have to figure out the total price for the mast versus a short tower, sounds
like mast needs a lot of guy wire. I don't care for the idea of leaning a
step ladder against a pole and trying to climb it with a rotor and antenna,
sounds worse than climbing a tower unless I rented a man lift or bucket
truck. It would be a lot easier to rig to stand a 20ft mast or tower. I
guess my preference over all would be a free standing pole or tower and a
winch crank up carriage that raises the antenna, rotor, and signal amp to
the top. No climbing and can crank down for service!

RogerN