Portable Antenna Tripod Mount

[N7NRA]

A few weks ago I volunteered to help out the Boyscouts with an activity they will be working on soon. Apparently the BSA no longer requires the scouts to learn morse code, so instead what they do is they hike to the tops of the mountain peaks around the valley and set up signal mirrors, and make contact with other Boyscout groups (Operation on Target). The organizers of this outing wanted HAMs to do the communications and verification of the contacts. I decided I would use my 2M mobile rig, my homebrew 3/4 wave ground plane antenna, and obviously a small 12v battery. The antenna breaks down into lengths that will fit in my truck bed toolbox so it should fit in a backpack nicely with the rest of my rig. The problem is I need something to mount it on.....hmmm a tripod might work. So the task now is to fab up an adapter to attatch the antenna to the tripod. This is my "build" for the adapter.
Pictures:
1) Top side of phenolic spacer, to isolate the antenna from the tripod
2) Bottom side of the spacer
3) Aluminum mount, made from 2x3x1.7x.250 wall rectangular tubing
4) Antenna base with the spacer installed
5) Mount installed
6) Mounted on tripod
7) Full view
No this crappy tripod is not the one I am using for the outing, it's for show. I have a heavy duty Bogen tripod that will go almost 7' tall that should work well.
Feel free to comment or ask questions, Enjoy
73 N7NRA-Jim

[AC0VH]

That's a great looking mount. Antenna looks good, too. Did you make that?


My conclusion: I need a mill. I also need a welder. :-/

[K7NNT]

Very nice project. Looks very professional. I may need to borrow that idea someday.

[N7NRA]

That's a great looking mount. Antenna looks good, too. Did you make that?


My conclusion: I need a mill. I also need a welder. :-/

Yeah I made both, I like doing homebrew projects. They add another aspect to the hobby to be good at.
What has two thumbs and a welder? This guy...I need a mill too. I am fortunate enough that my boss lets us work on personal projects, so I have access to a mill or three!

Very nice project. Looks very professional. I may need to borrow that idea someday.

Thanks! I would be embarrased if it didn't look half way decent, since this is part of how I make a living. I may have to make a few and sell them!

[KD8IUS]

Looks amazing.

Something like that would make a great field day antenna.

[KB7PLO]

By chance is this for on-target?

[KB7PLO]

Should have read the whole thing.

While I think what you have created here is incredible I would caution you. Having done on-target for the past 15+ years less is more. Keep in mind you may have to carry the antenna and mount several miles. I used to take a 5 element beam, tripod, binoculars, etc, etc. Being old, fat, and lazy, I found that the dual band arrow antenna is the best for this gig. I also brought a second radio and a scanner so I could hear everything around us. It kept the boys involved too. '

Just me $0.02.

Daniel

[N7NRA]

Should have read the whole thing.

While I think what you have created here is incredible I would caution you. Having done on-target for the past 15+ years less is more. Keep in mind you may have to carry the antenna and mount several miles. I used to take a 5 element beam, tripod, binoculars, etc, etc. Being old, fat, and lazy, I found that the dual band arrow antenna is the best for this gig. I also brought a second radio and a scanner so I could hear everything around us. It kept the boys involved too. '

Just me $0.02.

Daniel

Are you kidding?...I thought since I was volunteering my time and equipment that the scouts would be more than happy to haul my gear for me! Just pullin your chain, I volunteered for Pass Mtn. in Usery Park. I have done that hike before with my 30 pound hunting pack, in weather similar to what we have now, it's good mental and pysical exercise, and prep. for hunting season ! I do like the second radio idea, I should bring the HT as well.
Are you doing it again this year? If so what location?

Jim-N7NRA

[N7NRA]

Yesterday was the day for Operation On Target with the boyscouts, the event was a sucsess. I had a blast, we made seven contacts with the mirrors, they said five was about average. Our farthest contact was the White Tanks. According to my GPS software we were at an elevaton of 3100 ft (+/-) and the groups location in the White Tanks was 56 miles from us. On a side note, I think someone may have thought we were in trouble seeing our flashes, we got a circling flyby courtesy of the Mesa PD hellicopter. We waved to them and they must have decided we were ok and they left. Don't underestimate the power of the signal mirror, I am impressed with it. Here is a Picture from the top of Pass Mtn. with the scouts and the radio setup.

Jim-N7NRA

[N5MUD]

Looks like fun Jim! I have helped a bunch of scouts here in Texas get their Radio merit badge by talking to them from summer camps in the next county over from me. It's fun to see them get excited about talking to someone even just 30-60 miles away.