Birds on Antennae

[VK4CRO]

My previous antennae for 2m were 8mm elements and the cockatoos etc.
would perch on them and bend them but since I put up M2 antennae with
1/4 dia elements no more bent elements as they dont like the skinny perches
Hope this helps antenna buiders.
Regards Ron

[VK2XQ]

Inserting wooden dowel into the tubes also helps...Jack Haden VK2XQ.

[VK2XSO]

Hot chilli paste mixed with petroleum jelly is another. Just makes antennas toxic for repairs too.
Cable ties can be used on both booms and elements. Cut them with about 1 inch long tail and cut them diagonal so they have a sharp point.
Birdies don't like them.

[VK5APN]

Hi

Another option is to fit tubing (irrigation etc) over the elements. Some form of devices (cable tie, grommet) to stop it slipping off the end.

Birds will land on it, but it will rotate around. They dont like that.

Just another thing to try.

Does this person have it bad?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVoGZyAHHQA

Regards

Wayne

VK5APN

[VK4TIM]

The birds on the antennas is a problem. They also S**t everywhere!
Don't have your antennas above your clothes line. I've learnt that one, yes, the hard way!.

I have used a small screw in the end of the element projecting vertically up from the element tip about 10-15mm, and then you run thin fishing line between screws so that it's 10-15mm above the top of the element. Small screws don't seem to affect the VSWR too much below 144, but doing that can be a problem at 432 and above.
Birds try to land on the element, and they don't like the taught fishing line between the element ends, especially when they can't see it. That approach works well.

I've also found that occasional dry ice bombs are effective means to scare away the birds. They don't like the bang!

[ZL1RS]

Another option is to fit tubing (irrigation etc) over the elements. Some form of devices (cable tie, grommet) to stop it slipping off the end.

...surely the dielectric will de-tune the element? Even a 5" long black plastic element mounting insulator at the center of a 2m element is enough to measurably shift the SWR dip frequency quite some hundreds of kHz.

73, Bob ZL1RS

[VK6ADF]

One thing I have seen done, but don't know how effective it is, is to put cable ties on the elements with the "tail" bit sticking up (ie, don't cut it). Perhaps someone who has tried it can say whether this works or not.

[VK5ZD]

One thing I have seen done, but don't know how effective it is, is to put cable ties on the elements with the "tail" bit sticking up (ie, don't cut it). Perhaps someone who has tried it can say whether this works or not.

I've done this on my TV antenna to stop the birds pooping on my solar panels. Works great!

Iain

[VK4SP]

[VK2JH]

Hi, a successful method I used was to have a bird feeder at ground level. I used to have an aviary right next to my Nally tower and beams and all the seed eaters, especially the cockies paid virtually no attention to my aerials, rather the aviary and bird seed feeder outside the aviary, hanging from a low branch. Only on a few rare occasions did I have to hit the Nally with some pipe to scare them off...... the feeder was not put there for aerial protection, t it did work a treat.

Cheers,

John
VK4JHC/VK2JH
Mount Hallen Qld

[VK3DXE]

We had a freaky old neighbour over the back of us who kept feeding the birds in her backyard. In the end, there were around 60 doves floating around the rooftops of the neighbourhood all day, waiting for their next meal, crapping on everything and constantly knocking the elements on my 2m yagi out of alignment.

I tried everything from CD's to a fake owl to scare them off, but nothing really worked except occasionally going out and waving/whipping a squid pole around in the air. They eventually learned to stay clear of the area as it could happen at any time.

The BEST thing was when a powerful owl started hunting in our area and took a couple of them, but then the neighbour moved and the birds moved on of their own accord as there was no longer a regular meal for them.

[VK4DU]

I borrowed my then 5 yo son's rubber snake and cable tied it to the top of my Nally tower..... The cockies ate it....

[VK2FABS]

I borrowed my then 5 yo son's rubber snake and cable tied it to the top of my Nally tower..... The cockies ate it....

Sorry, these kiddo snakes don't work!

[VK4GJW]

The Americans seem to love using these!

[VK4TI]

My previous antennae for 2m were 8mm elements and the cockatoos etc.
would perch on them and bend them but since I put up M2 antennae with
1/4 dia elements no more bent elements as they dont like the skinny perches
Hope this helps antenna buiders.
Regards Ron

I did some asking and found a locally produced silicone gel product available from a pest control , a thin bead of that along the numerous antenna elements makes the thing "sqooshy" no more birds

[VK2KRR]

Thought I'd add my bird solutions.

Bird solutions

Mossberg 695 bolt action 12 gauge shotgun, usually a number 6 shot is good as it give a good spray of smaller pellets and it is loud! Word of caution though you cant really shoot anything thats perched on the antennas or the antennas will get damaged. Warning shots are quite effective in scaring anything within about 1/2 km or so.

Then there is also the .22 cal rifle, on the left side are hollow point slugs, if you have a really big bird like an Emu on there you can be pretty safe in that you wont hit the antenna.
On the right side are sparrow or rat shot, effective as a scarer at 60ft but wont really do any damage to birds or antennas at that height. 40ft probably at most they will get a good pain in the a***.

In most cases birds dont usually stop in here for a perch any longer, it seems word gets around in the bird community for a no fly zone after a while. When you have to get a crane to access antennas, this is important.