Subj : Re: SDR
To   : Nigel Reed
From : Ray Quinn
Date : Tue Oct 14 2025 10:54 am


Hello Nigel!

13 Oct 25 12:24, you wrote to me:

 >> The antenna I use for my SDRs (as mentioned in a previous message)
 >> is is a 2 meter J-Pole atop a 30 foot tower, along with others. The

 NR> I'd like to get an antenna high up but in the Dallas subrubs it might
 NR> not be such a good idea. First, I'd never be able to get anything else
 NR> on it once its up because, even if it's fold down, there's really no
 NR> room and I wouldn't want to be climing 30 ft in the air at my stage in
 NR> life!

Well, the local ham that installed the tower is a professional. He works for 
the County radio shop where he and his crew maintains all the county repeaters, 
and the equipment in the fire trucks, sheriff patrol cars and all the different 
departments, as well as some of the local cities within the county. The tower 
is currently 3 10' sections affixed to the eaves. There is also a 5 ghz 
microwave antenna atop the same tower which provides Internet to our repeater 
site @ 7500' elevation, 37 miles away. I have trouble getting down off the roof 
myself. I, like you, do not need to be climbing towers.

 NR> I could put something on my chimney but that would require quite a lot
 NR> of coax.

And some of the coax isn't inexpensive, either. You could probably go with some 
less-expensive coax since you're not going to be transmitting with it.

 NR> I'll maybe get one of the local hams to take a look and give me their
 NR> opinion.

That is always a good place to start. Perhaps your local club.

73 de W6RAY Ray Quinn
Visalia, CA DM06ii
GMRS WRKZ506



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