hello folks,i am new to the site(a coupla' weeks old)and i am looking for any suggestions and/or advice i can get to ensure the best possible installation whether it be equipment/materials or just how i install it so i do the best possible job and get the best possible results.let me put it out there that i live in a town that has been said to be a low-land kind of town.the two towns that i am nestled inbetween are both higher than my town.not that it matters but i live in a small farming town in New Hampshire.

O.K.-i have the brand new Antron99 with their mounting kit(no ground plane kit-was told by many that it won't make much of a noticable difference but if you think otherwise then feel obliged to opine.....).

i bought a 12ft section of galvanized fence post(should i buy more than one and put them together to get up higher?).

i bought a (4)four pack of those come-along tie-down straps that i plan on using to secure the whole push-pole/antenna to the tree that i end up using.

i plan on purchasing 100ft. of LMR 400(not sure if i'll buy direct bury because i think it to be a much neater install if i pipe it through conduit and then bury it).i plan on buying 100ft. of coax because the tree that i currently plan on using is going to necessitate 100ft(possibly 25ft.more,i still have to measure it out to be in the right ballpark).

all of this is going to be hooked up to one of my Phillipine made Cobra 148GTL w/extra upper&lower channels.stock Cobra Mic although i have been wondering which aftermarket mic i could use on this 148 that won't be too much and won't be too little because i've been told that the 148's kick ass audio/modulation wise right out of the box.does anyone have a suggestion on a good quality mic that adds to this radio.i'd like one with echo option and maybe a roger beep but both are just something i would "like" to have.

i have two factory made amps.both of which are right now in the shop.i sent my other Philly made 148GTL and these two amps in to get all tuned up and to have one amp basically tuned to that radio that i sent.the amps-(1)Power Plus 250--(2)Magnum 2000.....both of them have 2pills(ToshibaSC2879's)and both have pre-amp.the Magnum2000 has a SSB switch.i've looked around on the web for info on both and only found newer model Magnum2000 for sale with the spec.'s and i believe it said that it will push out 150watts with 1-15watts input on CW/FM.they don't list anything about AM but they do say this amp is for 10-11meters(my radio is 5watts,should i have it pushed up to 10-12watts?

as far as the Antron99 installation-what other materials.equipment should i get for the actual installation/mounting up in a tree.are the tie-down straps a good way to secure it to a tree?
also,what is going to give me a good ground?i will also be doing a lightning stake with wire running down the whole thing and going down to a stake driven into the ground.i've got a couple of questions about the lightning stake/rod
1)what wire(size/type-model/brand/thickness etc..) should i use and should it be stripped of the jacket or only leave the two ends bare for the obvious?
2)what should i use for a stake and how long/thick should it be and how far does it need to be driven into the ground(can i have it too far down and can i have it not far enough)
3)this wire-should i wrap it around the whole antenna/push-pole and just keep wrapping until i get to the bottom of the antenna/push-pole and then let it run straight down to the stake,or should i attach it to a certain point of the whole set up(like,do i attatch it at a half way point of the entire antenna/pole,bottom of the push-pole,where?)
4)is there anything at all outside of what i have mentioned that i should purchase and put in with this set up,that would help my antenna get out and hear any better(other than a better amp which i will eventually buy but for now i have what i have)or just generally make for a better install and better antenna set-up.i am not rich,i am out on disability right now but if i can't afford it right now then i will wait and save up for and buy it.i am slowly building a business on eBay going out to all kinds of auctions and sales(estate,store closings/liquidations/overstocks)as well as some auctions online that are specifically only for businesses but this is all slow going but i am slowly growing but for now i don't depend on that income.so yeah,if it will help my set up,i will save and buy it.

all-right,that is a lot to read.i apologize for that but it is something that i am known for whether it be me writing someone an email or making a post on a forums site that i belong to,or a post on FaceBook. i just write a friggin' lot and can't help it.with that,if you do make it through the whole post here and have read it all,or just read some of it-if there is a specific question that you feel knowledgable or experienced with then quote that part of this post and answer.i do appreciate every bit of info and suggestions that anyone can offer.as you can tell,i am a newb and have never done a base install(i have a mobile set-up which is just plug-n-play in my case).thank you and i look forward to any of your posts,Mistah Gravy626-Scott