I am just starting out in the ham world so be gentle with me.
I have just purchased a Kenwood TS-50 in mint condition (recently serviced) a Silver rod 5/8 wave homebase antenna and some heavy duty T&K brackets (from a chap who makes them and then sells them on ebay for £18.00 + p&p - they're awesome!). Good enough to give me around 60' from the deck.
I am close to Wythall (south Birmingham) so may join the local radio club in order to do my tests - I have already contacted them about that.
Any advice you folks could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. Mark

Thanks M0URX - I have had a message from Wythall they have some inter classes going but not enough people for the foundation course but they have said they will keep me posted - not much I can do but wait I suppose, still it will give me time to set the rig up and plant the mast.
I am reading up as much as I can and constantly looking on the net for useful info.

hi
i would not put that silver rod too high they bend real easy
about 20 - 25ft should be fine

just my opinion

reguards m0gmq paul

Hi M0GMQ
Thanks for the heads up.
I am putting it up at the bottom of my garden...I have an old galvanised line pole which I will bury about a metre down (leaving a metre above ground) on top of that I am going to clamp a scaffold pole using some heavy duty clamps and I was going to put the rod on top of that...I dropped the side of the house idea because of the potential interference I could cause - I like my neighbours and at the moment they like me, I see no reason to change that.
All in all I think that would be about 23 ft up + the antenna. I am working with limited knowledge, as I said before, so any advice is very welcome.
My budget is limited and I am running around buying stuff then changing my mind and doing something else so it's costing me more than it should but I suppose that the same for all newbies to any hobby.

Hi Mark,

You could put the silver rod at ground level you would get a low angle radiation good for dx but not to good for local stuff but i guess at 23 feet you would get a bit of both.
i have been on the radio as a ham for 26 years and still enjoy the hobby good luck with the exam
Mark,

DE FRANK G4YLJ

no problem
if your going to use an old galvanised line pole
just make sure it is strong enough it might look
strong but remember it was only meant to hold washing

enyway good luck with the test i sure you will pass

Hi G4YLJ
Thanks for the encouragement - it's nice to get friendly feedback it seems that this is a nice forum with helpful people aboard.
M0GMQ - This pole is pretty thick plus im going to stick half of it underground with post mix to hold it in place. I could get hold of two scaffold poles if you think that that would be the better option.
Cheers guys. Mark

if you think the pole you have is strong enough then go with that

all the best paul

Thanks Paul

Im sure it will be fine...there's a 30ft hawthorne behind it to protect it from the worst of the wind and I may put wires to it just in case it does go.. and heads for next doors greenhouse

What should I do about lightning protection would this be suitably grounded

Hi G0WCK Thanks for the welcome.

The Line post is in the ground and postmix is holding it up 3' above and 3' below ground ready for the scaffold pole.

I'll keep you posted when it's all up and ready to switch on.

Mark