Frequently Asked Questions

Q.} Do you have any information on this web site concerning the fabrication of the portable antenna mount?
A.} Ther is a new page on our web site, appropriately named "fabrication". It shows some of the methods used to manufacture theportable antenna mount. A direct link to the fabrication page.

Q.} Why is the hole where the locking pin goes through is a bit larger than the pin itself?
A.} We have found vast differences in the location of the lock pin hole in the various receiver hitches we have tested. To remedy these situations a much larger hole in the antenna mount was made to allow the antenna mount to fit without any need for modifying the mount lock pin hole. The pins supplied with our portable antenna mounts are industry standard and will fit your receiver-hitch.

Q.} Must I use radials with my portable antenna?
A.} Naturally you must first consider the type of antenna you will deploy using the Tilt-N-Raise™ portable antenna mount. If you are using a dipole or loop antenna then you would have no need for radials. Some commercially produced vertical antennas do not require radials according to their manufacturers. In these cases you should follow the antenna manufacturer’s requirements regarding the use of radials. Some commercial verticals and a good many homebrew vertical antennas do require radials and so you will be able to make use of the radial plate. Should you deploy a variety of antenna types during your portable operations then we suggest you purchase the model with the radial plate attachment. As for the ongoing discussions among radio amateurs concerning the use of radials with vertical antennas it is suggested you read the article by well-known antenna expert Lew McCoy elsewhere in this document.

Q.} Can the Tilt-N-Raise™ portable antenna mount be used in a mobile environment?
A.} While it would seem the Tilt-N-Raise™ would make a great mobile antenna mount we discourage its use while the vehicle is in motion. The antenna mount itself is more than adequate for mobile operation but the likelihood of striking overhead objects is too great to recommend you use the antenna mount while mobile.

Q.} What is the maximum height of an antenna and mast that can be used with the Tilt-N-Raise™.
A.} Our suggested maximum antenna/support mast height is 25 feet. Once you exceed this height you place a heavy load upon the antenna mount due to the leverage action against the mount. Therefore you should guy anything and everything over 25 feet without exception (a quarter wave vertical for 7.225mhz is only 32.39 feet). Using guys as standard operating procedures will protect bystanders, your vehicle and your antenna especially for operators who deploy portable stations for lighthouse activations. Lighthouse activators experience higher wind loads than most portable operators due to their close proximity to the shorelines.

Q.} How can I route the feedline/coax?
A.} Since we don’t provide the supporting mast we can’t really answer this question adequately. Some suggestions could be to use Velcro strips to secure the feedline to the mast. Velcro would be better than tie-wraps as they are reusable and can be removed faster should the antenna need to be removed quickly. Also, antenna feed points would play a big part in the routing of the feedline. If you have diagrams or photos of different methods of attaching feedlines during portable operations then please feel free to forward them to us and we will post them on our web site for all to use.

FAQs revised August 10, 2010