Model SS-3000 used on a 8 foot mast and stand

[JohnMarki]

I am planning to set up a booth at a computer festival in Elgin IL (The 18 Annual "Last" Chicago CoCoFest)
I plan to demonstrate a working digital converter box and offer to answer people's questions about HDTV.
I have purchased a Winegard Model SS-3000 and had a friend who lives in Elgin IL test it for me. He reported good reception on ~26 stations.

I would like to place the antenna on a 8 foot mast. The antenna will accept a 1" diameter mast. I could use a flag pole stand, Christmas tree stand, or antenna tripod. Does it make a difference if I use a 1"diameter wooden dowel rod or a 1" diameter metal mast? In other words, will a metal mast interfere with the performance of the antenna?

Also I may wish to use longer wires with the antenna. Can I replace the 6 foot downlead coax cable between the antenna and the power injector with a 12 foot length standard RG6 coax cable?

-JohnMark

[winegard]

Good morning JohnMarki -

The mast can be either metal or wood and should not effect the signal either way. You can extend the coax cable with a standard RG6/U cable.

Good luck at the festival and thank you for helping to educate on the transition.

[JohnMarki]

I have found another option, 3/4" rigid schedule-40 PVC conduit. This has an outside diameter of 1".

-JohnMark

[JohnMarki]

Low Cost Indoor Antenna Mast for the Wineguard Model SS-3000 for $3.69

1) Antenna Mast
Carlon® 5 Ft. Pre-Cut 1/2" Sch 40 PVC Pipe (rigid conduit), Item #: 204390, Model: 49005-005
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

2) Antenna Mast Mount
Carlon® 1/2" PVC Male Adapter, Item #: 115888, Model: E943DR-CTN
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

3) Antenna Mast Base Mount Flange
Lamp Holder Cover
http://www.sigmaelectric.com/openimage. ... Big/86.jpg

Add enough turns of tape to the top of the antenna mast to increase the diameter to 1". Place the other end of the mast into the antenna mast mount. Connect the antenna mast mount to the antenna mast base mount flange.

I have found the weight of the TV can pin the antenna mast base mount flange to the table.

-JohnMark

[mjoseph]

Loved the idea so much that I built one tonight. I also covered the PVC tube in a dark foam insulation, so it looks like a 'finished' product. It now looks like a tall modern lamp in the corner. I have it connected to an HD Homerun Dual near the base, running a single Cat5 to my network router. I now have television signal throughout my network, including wireless laptops / netbooks. The SS-3000 is providing great reception on all but one major network, and I may have to move the setup to another corner. In the meanwhile, I am enjoying this new setup very much. Thanks for the idea.

[mjoseph]

I had to lower and move the SS-3000 in my den to get ideal reception (Long Island, NY). The best windows for me were those facing West. Any higher, and the antenna would block the view. Any lower or further to the side, and I would lose a sought channel. Total cost app $15. Total time app 15 minutes. This setup was easier for me than running a cable from the attic (not sure the reception would improve), and it prevented clutter on the A/V rack. The antenna remains mobile, and can be easily adjusted should I ever need to. The wires will be hidden/blocked by furniture. Knowing that PVC or wood can replace the factory-included base, means you can mount the antenna in many other creative ways, however needed.