Still attempting to not have an elevated install
Posted on November 18, 2012
For the longest time have been trying to figure out how I can NOT have my transmitter on the roof of my location. it’s only a single story, and a problem might never ever even arise because of it.. But there’s always the ‘what if..” and Murphy’s Law.
So the hope and goal has always been to try and make certain the install is completely FCC compliant.
And the best option is a ground level install – right?
Right.
Now here, in no particular order, is what I understand to be the most important objectives concerning ground installs for Part 15AM (correct me if I’m wrong)
1.) It’s most effective to have it in the open and away from any tree or obstructions, and definitely should not be installed close to the wall of a building.
2.) Numerous buried radials in the longest feasible length should be employed, fanned out from a central location directly under the transmitter with a 8’ ground rod, and also rods attached at some of the radial ends.
3.) Uh.. see objectives 1 and 2.
OK.. well, I really don’t have the land available to do that; I’m surrounded by sidewalks, streets, and buildings.
But upon seeing this drawing: http://www.mobileers.com/Images/TowerRadialJPGa.jpg , I realized how similar a situation that ham operator has to mine.
The biggest difference (that I see) is that he’s connecting to tower antenna, and I’m connecting to a Rangemaster with a 3 meter whip, which would place it against the wall, but I would probably be able to install about 15 foot or so from that wall, – But the question is could his method work well with my little transmitter even though it appears to contradict objectives 1 and 2 listed above?
What I’m saying is I would be able to set up my ground system very similar to the way he diagrams in his drawing..
But with my whip that close behind a building wall,and below the roof could it still result in good performance?
Any comments?
By the way that drawing is from “An Easy Way to Install Ground Radials” by Brian, W9HLQ at: http://www.mobileers.com/chiGroundWires.htm
An aerial view of my location is http://goo.gl/maps/2ZWZX