[rescue] OT: Antenna mounting to existing steel?

[Dave McGuire]

On February 4, Loomis, Rip wrote:
> Need help from the ham/antenna enthusiasts on the list
> of a small project.  I'm going to be mounting a BAE GPS
> Receiver (the "Smart Antenna":
>   http://www.navtechgps.com/supply/smartant.asp )
> onto the roof of the converted warehouse we use for offices.
> The receiver claims "easy pole mount" and someone
> who has one has already told me that it uses a standard
> mount.  Since I know next to nothing about civilian
> antenna mounts, I need help.
> 
> 1.  Any suggestions as to how best to mount this thing
>    to an existing horizontal steel I-beam (roughly 6"x6"
>    cross section)?  The I-beam is left over from previous
>    HVAC equipment, and it means we don't have to create
>    our own structural anchor point--but I'm not sure how
>    much of a pole I need, or what sort of a base I can use
>    to anchor that pole to the I-beam
> 
> 2.  Any suggestions for local (Maryland, between DC and
>     Baltimore) suppliers to procure mounting parts?  I'm
>     sure that Dave M has a favorite ham supply store in
>     the local area.

  The pole mounting arraengement for GPS antennas isn't a Ham thing,
it's a marine thing.  Go to your local Boaters' World or Boat US and
look for antenna mounting posts.  The mount is threaded, 1.25"
diameter if memory serves.  This is a standard thing, and either store
will have many different mounting aids with those threaded ends on
them.

  I would suggest getting a mounting post about 1' high with a flange
at the end, and bolting the flange to the I-beam.  This will involve
drilling through the I-beam which might be a pain, though.

      -Dave

-- 
Dave McGuire
St. Petersburg, FL         "Less talk.  More synthohol." --Lt. Worf