To go along with my solar panels, I got a Chameleon Antenna EMCOMM-II end-fed half wave and a MFJ-1913 28ft. lightweight telescoping mast. I'm looking for an ultra-lightweight tripod to use as a base for the mast. I remember seeing one somewhere but can't remember where I saw it.

Any suggestions on a really lightweight tripod that can handle up to a 2" base pole?

if you go to Amazon and look for Speaker Tripods, there are many different lightweight aluminium ones. I have one that will support 150 lbs if I remember right and use it for a 20 ft aluminium mast.

I use Slik tripods for hunting. You can get all different sizes, removable QD plates. They also have independent legs, so you can really adjust it easily to fit even the most crazy spots.



Forgive the guerrilla jpole setup.

Attached File

Attached File

Used music stand

Wait, not a 2-inch antenna.

A telescoping 28-foot antenna?

That's easy, stakes and guy lines
There is no way you can expect stability from a man-portable tripod supporting such a tall mast

Here is a setup I pieced together for backpacking. The tripod is actually an NMO which I bought for being a VHF/UHF base but could act as HF with a NMO to 3/8 adapter. I can't remember who made the coil and the whip is just a GI whip from an old 119. It worked ok for the time I used it. I used my yo yo dipole as an elevated set of radials.

It has since been retired from HF in favor of my Packtenna, but I dug it out the other day to put back into service as a VHF/UHF base for my camper.

Attached File


Attached File

The buddipole tripod is designed to hold masts, not sure how it would do with the MFJ version, but it looks like it would fit. I wouldn't call it ultralight, but its not ultra heavy either, it is alum IIRC.

Wolf River Coils

That's right.

I use this... have two complete mast assemblies.

https://www.goverticalusa.com/collections/portable-tripod-mast-kits/products/antenna-tripod-29ft-aluminum-portable-tower-mast-kit


On this link, right click and Save As... it is an MP4.  You can see how this is erected by one person.

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST%20Binaries/Jun2011/QS0611Dixon.mp4


Here are my two at a statewide emergency drill.

Attached File



The mast sections are aluminum mil-surp.  But on the one on the left, I used two pieces of mil-surp fiberglass
mast, and simply taped on a N9TAX 2m Slim Jim (window line type).  The mast assembly on the right is all aluminum
sections, and 6 sections high, about 22', to support the 75-40-20-17-15-10 m HF antenna array.  

It would be possible to put the two fiberglass pieces on top of the 6 aluminum pieces, have it all on one mast,
if necessary.