J-pole antenna and wattage question
Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:05 am
Just got through mounting my J-pole antenna.
I built it out of 1/2" / 13mm copper tubing. My antenna is tuned to 92.1 I built using using a J-pole calculator.
I have it mounted to piece of water pipe which also secures a VHF TV/FM antenna. I did not have access to a taller ladder so it could have been mounted a bit higher (lke one meter higher).
I'm managing to get out approximately a 2 KM radius with this antenna using the PCIMAX3000.
Couple of questions. I could not find any definete info on wheather this type of antenna needs to be grounded or insulated. Based on a drawing I found I believe it supposed to be grounded which mine is. Correct?
Wattage question: The software I downloaded from this site says I am only pushing 0.8 watts and I have the software set to "100% power". If the card is rated for 3 watts then why is the software saying I am only transmitting at 0.8 watts?
How do I get the transmitter to push a full 3 watts?
I built it out of 1/2" / 13mm copper tubing. My antenna is tuned to 92.1 I built using using a J-pole calculator.
I have it mounted to piece of water pipe which also secures a VHF TV/FM antenna. I did not have access to a taller ladder so it could have been mounted a bit higher (lke one meter higher).
I'm managing to get out approximately a 2 KM radius with this antenna using the PCIMAX3000.
Couple of questions. I could not find any definete info on wheather this type of antenna needs to be grounded or insulated. Based on a drawing I found I believe it supposed to be grounded which mine is. Correct?
Wattage question: The software I downloaded from this site says I am only pushing 0.8 watts and I have the software set to "100% power". If the card is rated for 3 watts then why is the software saying I am only transmitting at 0.8 watts?
How do I get the transmitter to push a full 3 watts?