Installation of the GP-3 is a relatively easy install. If you have any questions regarding my actions during the segment where I lost audio, please ask in the comments below and I'll be sure to answer.
@@craigrobinson9410 I grounded it by grounding the antenna mast at the base of the mast to an eight foot copper grounding rod that was pounded into the Earth.
Best to assemble everything on there ground, but leave the U brackets a bit loose. Then slip the brackets over the disk mount pipe. It is a brave man who puts the little setscrew in on the roof. Drop it and you may never find it.
Just curious - why would you start the tape from the top, instead of starting from the bottom. That's why roofs are shingled from the bottom up - to keep the water from penetrating as it flows down ?
Thought you do bring up a valid point, the coax connection for this run is actually enclosed in a water resistant pipe so it will never be directly exposed to the elements. 73's / Steve
@@K4SRF Yep, I have put mine up leaving the pipe as the sole protection as it was made to be. Had some very wet weather, and on checking, the SO 239 was completely dry.
Hello my friend... I am asking myself the same question.... Sadly nobody answered your question. I have one [gp-3] and the swr are high so I wonder if grounding it would help... I'm running 85 watts on vhf so gotta be careful with the swr. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 73s from KJ4BGW 🇺🇸
Very good point! Actually yes, it is grounded. Due to the weather, I was unable to put in the ground until two days later after I completed the filming. It is grounded per the local electrical code and ARRL recommendations.
Are you sure the antenna-connector is a SO259? It wonders me because my Comet GP-3 has a N-connector. I own my antenna for about 25 years, i think your antenna must be younger. I don't understand why Comet would change a better N-connector bij a simple SO259. 73 de on4ged
I put my antenna on my roof following your instructions almost to a T. I’m still having trouble reaching a 70 cm repeater that is about 22 miles away. I was sure I’d be able to hit it after getting that up there. I ran RG8x but now I’m thinking about restringing it with LMR400
@@K4SRF I did end up going with LMR400 and now I can hit all the repeaters I wanted to. The antenna is on top of a 2 story house. I’m not sure exactly how high though …maybe 30 feet.
Weirdly enough I got my GP-1 ten feet higher and in the process also switched from RG-8X to LMR400, and I did not see the improvement the loss charts would have me expect.
what cable did you use to connect the antenna because I would like to connect the comet gp-1 antenna to the Baofeng GT-3TP Mark-III and I do not know now what cable would be best for this 10 to 15m cable
If you are talking 10 and 15 meter frequencies, I would go with RG 213. If you are speaking about UHF/VHF, I prefer LMR 400. It's harder to work with, but has less loss than other cables do for this frequency range.
So, newer HAM here, and I have a couple of questions. 1: Why the loops? The audio cut out right as you were going to give the explanation. 2: What coax did you use? I am planning on LMR-400 for my install. 3: I'd be very interested in a follow up to see your grounding method. 73 KJ7LLI
1) For one, a loop of coax can act as a “drip loop” that will prohibit water from entering the coax or running down the coax into a structure. The same loop also acts as a strain relief from the antenna. It can eventually weigh the cable down from the coax connection and this looping helps reduce, if not eliminate the strain. Multiple loops also provide you additional coax should you need to adjust the coax from time to time. Lastly, making multiple loops can act as a Collins Balun or a coaxial RF choke. This can help improve the antenna’s performance but will never have a negative impact on the performance. The effectiveness of the Choke Balun is determined by the diameter of the turns as well as the number of turns depending on the frequency you are using. 2) I used RG8 Coax 3) I will probably do a follow-up video on the grounding at some point! Thanks for asking! 73's / Steve
Hello my friend.... I have problems with my GP-3.... SWR are way up!!! I have it on a small (medium size) metal mount attached to the balcony (metal) but can't get a way to lower the swr... Very frustrating experience.... I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations. 73s to all from KJ4BGW
Installation of the GP-3 is a relatively easy install. If you have any questions regarding my actions during the segment where I lost audio, please ask in the comments below and I'll be sure to answer.
I installed the same antenna on the the same type of mast. my question is how did you ground it?
@@craigrobinson9410 I grounded it by grounding the antenna mast at the base of the mast to an eight foot copper grounding rod that was pounded into the Earth.
Best to assemble everything on there ground, but leave the U brackets a bit loose. Then slip the brackets over the disk mount pipe. It is a brave man who puts the little setscrew in on the roof. Drop it and you may never find it.
How true!
I’m getting ready to do this and was thinking I’m going to put everything together on the ground …good point lol
Great instructional video too!
My set screw was super hard to get in and I eventually dropped it in 2nd story gutter. Good idea on doing it beforehand
Would you recommend locktite for the parts that screw in
I didn't use any, but I would say if I did, it would be Locktite Purple 222, the lowest strength.
Just curious - why would you start the tape from the top, instead of starting from the bottom. That's why roofs are shingled from the bottom up - to keep the water from penetrating as it flows down ?
Thought you do bring up a valid point, the coax connection for this run is actually enclosed in a water resistant pipe so it will never be directly exposed to the elements. 73's / Steve
@@K4SRF Yep, I have put mine up leaving the pipe as the sole protection as it was made to be. Had some very wet weather, and on checking, the SO 239 was completely dry.
What kind of Coax is that and is there an adapter that would make the other end fit SMA-Female?
It is LMR400.
Is it necessary to ground the mounting bracket?
Hello my friend... I am asking myself the same question.... Sadly nobody answered your question.
I have one [gp-3] and the swr are high so I wonder if grounding it would help... I'm running 85 watts on vhf so gotta be careful with the swr. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
73s from KJ4BGW 🇺🇸
will this be an improvement over the DBJ-1 for 2m? gain wise both show about 2dB gain.
White zip ties Deteriorate in sunlight you should replace them with black zip ties . 73s
Unfortunately, I was out of black ties.
@@K4SRF I liked the video thanks for posting it ....
Hello, great video. But if I don't have an existing satellite mount on my roof, how would you have mounted it? Thanks!
With an antenna mast. I liked satellite mount, but wish it had been higher.
No ground???
Very good point! Actually yes, it is grounded. Due to the weather, I was unable to put in the ground until two days later after I completed the filming. It is grounded per the local electrical code and ARRL recommendations.
Are you sure the antenna-connector is a SO259? It wonders me because my Comet GP-3 has a N-connector. I own my antenna for about 25 years, i think your antenna must be younger.
I don't understand why Comet would change a better N-connector bij a simple SO259.
73 de on4ged
Yes, my antenna has a SO239 connector.
I put my antenna on my roof following your instructions almost to a T. I’m still having trouble reaching a 70 cm repeater that is about 22 miles away. I was sure I’d be able to hit it after getting that up there. I ran RG8x but now I’m thinking about restringing it with LMR400
I would go with LMR400. How high is the antenna?
@@K4SRF I did end up going with LMR400 and now I can hit all the repeaters I wanted to. The antenna is on top of a 2 story house. I’m not sure exactly how high though …maybe 30 feet.
@@Norseman2 The rule of thumb is "the higher the better". Thirty feet is fine. Glad you can reach out the those repeaters.
Weirdly enough I got my GP-1 ten feet higher and in the process also switched from RG-8X to LMR400, and I did not see the improvement the loss charts would have me expect.
@@evanfinch4987 sorry to hear that ☹️
That must have been a huge satellite dish you had there, judging by the size of its mounting pole!
It just looks bigger on camera. It' was a standard dish.
what cable did you use to connect the antenna because I would like to connect the comet gp-1 antenna to the Baofeng GT-3TP Mark-III and I do not know now what cable would be best for this 10 to 15m cable
If you are talking 10 and 15 meter frequencies, I would go with RG 213. If you are speaking about UHF/VHF, I prefer LMR 400. It's harder to work with, but has less loss than other cables do for this frequency range.
@@K4SRF I use RG8X throughout.
Not much loss and easy to manipulate.
So, newer HAM here, and I have a couple of questions. 1: Why the loops? The audio cut out right as you were going to give the explanation. 2: What coax did you use? I am planning on LMR-400 for my install. 3: I'd be very interested in a follow up to see your grounding method. 73 KJ7LLI
1) For one, a loop of coax can act as a “drip loop” that will prohibit water from entering the coax or running down the coax into a structure. The same loop also acts as a strain relief from the antenna. It can eventually weigh the cable down from the coax connection and this looping helps reduce, if not eliminate the strain. Multiple loops also provide you additional coax should you need to adjust the coax from time to time. Lastly, making multiple loops can act as a Collins Balun or a coaxial RF choke. This can help improve the antenna’s performance but will never have a negative impact on the performance. The effectiveness of the Choke Balun is determined by the diameter of the turns as well as the number of turns depending on the frequency you are using.
2) I used RG8 Coax
3) I will probably do a follow-up video on the grounding at some point!
Thanks for asking! 73's / Steve
@@K4SRF Thanks for the reply! Isn't RG8 coax lossy at VHF/UHF frequencies, or is it not enough to justify the greater expense of LMR-400?
You make me laugh ! 888
I suspect the thumbs down is because you didn't use a 10mm wrench. lol
I use a socket and ratchet!
KO4ZCJ, Thanks. 73
You're Welcome!
Hello my friend.... I have problems with my GP-3.... SWR are way up!!! I have it on a small (medium size) metal mount attached to the balcony
(metal) but can't get a way to lower the swr... Very frustrating experience.... I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations.
73s to all from KJ4BGW
Thaks73