If you need to install your antenna higher than the usual 1.2m pole or are need to install a large and/or heavy antenna system a pole and stay antenna mount set may be the best way to go. Here I’ll show you how to install a light angle roof mount, a 1.8m pole and two 1.8m metal stay bars.
A pole and stay antenna mount set may be installed on either a tile or tin roof. In these photos I show how to do it on a tin roof, but you can see my other articles on mounts on tile roofs for information on securing mounts to tile roofs.
Positioning the Light Angle Roof Mount
I always say the best position is as high as possible, but the position of this sort of mount would depend on the reasons you’re installing it. If your aim is to get your antenna higher, put the light angle roof mount as high up the roof as possible and set the stay bars lower. This will mean the stay bars meet the main pole about half way up. The pole may flex above this, but it’s usually not a problem.
If your aim is to make the mount as steady and solid as possible for a heavy antenna, position the light angle roof mount lower on the roof and the stay bars higher. This will mean the stay bars meet the main pole much closer to the top. The reduces the amount of flex and movement in the pole mount. In this example I was installing the mount to be as strong and stable as possible, so mounted the stay bars above the light angle roof mount.
Detailed Instructions
For more information on the tools used, see the DIY Digital TV Tools article.
- Determine where to install the mount. See the “Positioning the Mount” section above.
- Remove the two roofing screws where the mount is to be installed.
- Apply silicon through the roofing screw holes and around the holes.
- Place the light angle roof mount into position and put the screws into holes.
- Drive the screws back into position using a medium torque setting on the drill. Be sure not to squash the corrugations of the roof sheet. Cover the screw heads with more silicon.
- Put the main pole into the u-bolt and tighten enough that the pole is held in position, but not so tight that you can’t move it easily.
- Determine the position of the stay bars. I suggest holding them both in the planned position to ensure they will fit as expected and reach a position on the pole that is suitable.
- Remove a roofing screw from where the bottom of the stay bar will be attached.
- Apply silicon through the roofing screw hole and around the hole.
- Place the end of the stay bar back down and drive the screw back into position using a medium torque setting on the drill. You may need to bend the flat hole end of the stay bar to a suitable angle before doing this. The flat hole part of the bar should be flat on the surface of the roof. Once secured, cover the screw with more silicon.
- Repeat steps 8-10 for the second stay bar.
- Check how the stay bars will be positioned on the pole when it’s all held in the right position with the pole vertical.
- Remove the bolts from the collar(s) and place the collar(s) onto the pole.
- Remove the nuts from the collar bolts and put the bolts through the holes at the pole end of the stays and replace the nuts, but only half screw them into place. Leave the bolt loose on the end of the stays.
- Move the collar(s) into rough position and hand start the bolts into the collars. Leave them finger tight so you can move the pole around.
- Straighten the pole to vertical, checking from both sides that it’s correctly aligned. Once positioned correctly tighten off the collar bolts with a spanner.
- Tighten off the u-bolt on the light angle roof mount with a spanner. The pole should now be firmly in position.