This is the old TV antenna, which was always a POS and has been unused since 2000. It just has to go. As soon as I got into ham radio, I knew one day I'd put an antenna up there.
Well that day has arrived. I rented a 50 ft tow-behind articulate lift. (The 40ft tow behind unit or 37ft bucket trucks can't handle this job.) It is quite an awesome piece of equipment! Very heavy too. It's within the towing limits of my '96 Dodge B2500 van, but the tow sure did give her a workout. I did not like the safety logistics of doing this job on a ladder from the flat roof. The rental fee is alot cheaper (and less painfull) then going to the hospital.
My buddy stopped by and managed to get an action shot of me installing the U-bolt hardware with his camera phone. I may not have the sexiest butt, but that safety harness along with those jeans is not flattering AT ALL.
Here the Diamond X300 antenna stands proudly with its base 45ft high in the air, right above my roof line. I have the tallest house in the neighborhood, so the antenna is the tallest thing around, minus trees. I used the old coax from the TV antenna (which fed into the basement) to measure the height, so 45ft is a relatively accurate number.
In this close up you can see I installed new chimney straps right below the old ones. The hardware on the old ones was a bit rusty.
This is where I used to have the Diamond X300 mounted, prior to the chimney, on a very temporary wooden stick attached to a vent pipe. I can easily climb onto the flat roof via the window in the attic.
In this picture you can see that same wooden stick and get an idea of where it is in relation to the rest of the house. The antenna preforms fantastic in it's new location, and I could not be happier. Those of you with good eyes may also notice a 10m verticle wire dipole in this picture.
I can't forget the obligatory ride into the sunset.
