I just got my new Imax 2000 from Sparkys but I am hesitant to put it up before I get some questions answered. I have been trying to contact Sparkys, by phone and email with the "contact us" feature on the site, since the day before I ordered it but they are not answering the phone and are not returning my messages. I've thrown in the towel with Sparkys and I will never order anything from them again. Yeah, they were the cheapest but I guess you get what you pay for.
All I need are some reccommendations on the install of this antenna. I intend to coat it with paint or clear varnish or maybe clear polyurithane. I also am going to ground the antenna from one of the mounting clamps, straight down, to an 8ft grounding rod.
From the many threads that I've read on this forum and others it seems like most people use 10 guage green insulated solid copper wire. The only bummer is I can get 12 guage wire for .11 a foot but the 10 guage is .45 a foot. Still most people suggest the 10 guage solid insulated wire. After I run the wire to the ground rod and clamp it securely I intend to run a ground strap from the antenna mast to the grounding rod. The bottom of the antenna will only be about 18 feet up. Do you think this grounding procedure will work for me or am I missing something?
As for the protective finish I don't need stealth. All I want to do is protect the antenna from the elements up here in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. I read a thread somewhere about coating the antenna with clear varnish. That is what I would really like to do. I was thinking that a couple coats of good varnish after fine sanding the antenna would be ideal. I would really appreciate any help I can get from some of the many folks who have installed this antenna. Also, about sealling the joints, what type of silicone or caulk should I use? That is, the joints where the antenna is screwed together. By the way, I didn't get any instructions with this antenna. Was I supposed to get an instruction sheet?
I would be very thankful for any advice I can get for these concerns.
I am mounting this antenna for a cb radio and I just realized I may have put this thread in the wrong location. I am sorry.
All I need are some reccommendations on the install of this antenna. I intend to coat it with paint or clear varnish or maybe clear polyurithane. I also am going to ground the antenna from one of the mounting clamps, straight down, to an 8ft grounding rod.
From the many threads that I've read on this forum and others it seems like most people use 10 guage green insulated solid copper wire. The only bummer is I can get 12 guage wire for .11 a foot but the 10 guage is .45 a foot. Still most people suggest the 10 guage solid insulated wire. After I run the wire to the ground rod and clamp it securely I intend to run a ground strap from the antenna mast to the grounding rod. The bottom of the antenna will only be about 18 feet up. Do you think this grounding procedure will work for me or am I missing something?
As for the protective finish I don't need stealth. All I want to do is protect the antenna from the elements up here in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. I read a thread somewhere about coating the antenna with clear varnish. That is what I would really like to do. I was thinking that a couple coats of good varnish after fine sanding the antenna would be ideal. I would really appreciate any help I can get from some of the many folks who have installed this antenna. Also, about sealling the joints, what type of silicone or caulk should I use? That is, the joints where the antenna is screwed together. By the way, I didn't get any instructions with this antenna. Was I supposed to get an instruction sheet?
I would be very thankful for any advice I can get for these concerns.
I am mounting this antenna for a cb radio and I just realized I may have put this thread in the wrong location. I am sorry.
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