Bob, Thanks for the feedback on the paint.
I have been using the 3 element HI-Z array for several years now and although I understand it is not as robust as the 8 element, it is far better than any Rx antenna I have used thus far. I got the 8 element because I understand it is even better than the 3 element and I want that extra benefit. I hope to get it all up and running in a couple of days. Rain today and tomorrow so I'm on hold but after I clear out the above branches over the antenna placement, I'll be good to go. If you have room for the Hi-Z, whichever one you choose, its an excellent choice. 73, Gary KA1J > 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=krylo > n+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 > > > > > > > > _________________ > > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > > > > _________________ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband