portable antenna masts?

Outdoors » Ham Radios

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - portable antenna masts?

Posted: 1/3/2012 2:57:44 AM EDT

alluminum or fiberglass?

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:46:07 AM EDT

[#1]

This Link may Help? a little...

Posted: 1/3/2012 4:26:02 AM EDT

[#2]

This guy has a setup that looks "copyable"

Portable QTH

Posted: 1/3/2012 6:54:30 AM EDT

[#3]

I use the 4ft sections of military fiberglass poles. These interconnect and you can go as high as you want. I use a tripod and on one section I have 4 eyebolts installed just in case I want to go above 30ft and that way I can attach guy ropes. On the top mast section I have my 2M/440 dual band antenna ( Comet GP-1) and about 2ft below that I have another eyebolt installed with a small pulley that I use to pull up a G5RV wire antenna in a inverted V position to use on HF. This set up works well for me and takes about 15 minutes to setup.

Posted: 1/3/2012 9:35:04 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I use the 4ft sections of military fiberglass poles. These interconnect and you can go as high as you want. I use a tripod and on one section I have 4 eyebolts installed just in case I want to go above 30ft and that way I can attach guy ropes. On the top mast section I have my 2M/440 dual band antenna ( Comet GP-1) and about 2ft below that I have another eyebolt installed with a small pulley that I use to pull up a G5RV wire antenna in a inverted V position to use on HF. This set up works well for me and takes about 15 minutes to setup.

and strength or structural concerns with fiberglass over aluminum? conductivity issues for the antenna?

you rig sound like what i am looking into. could you send a pic a 3?

Posted: 1/3/2012 10:19:22 AM EDT

[#5]

You could use a cheap tripod and telescoping painters pole for a quick and dirty solution.

ETA: I've since painted this fiberglass/aluminum setup all black and it's my Go-To setup with a dual band Arrow J-Pole for portable 2m/70cm operation.
(Minus the push broom top)

Posted: 1/3/2012 11:26:07 AM EDT

[#6]

Fiberglass will break in the wind if unsupported. You cand help it a lot bu putting worm camps on the bottom. Just tight enough to give it some support.

Posted: 1/3/2012 2:05:03 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

alluminum or fiberglass?

2 meter or HF?

Posted: 1/3/2012 2:05:58 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Fiberglass will break in the wind if unsupported. You cand help it a lot bu putting worm camps on the bottom. Just tight enough to give it some support.

Worm camps?

Posted: 1/3/2012 2:14:21 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Fiberglass will break in the wind if unsupported. You cand help it a lot bu putting worm camps on the bottom. Just tight enough to give it some support.

Worm camps?

Yeah. Worm camps.

Mother and father worms send their kids off to camp, too, you know.

Posted: 1/3/2012 2:30:04 PM EDT

[#10]

OP, if you can find some of those aluminum handles they use for concrete skreeds, they

work pretty good.

Had a customer bring some in to work and I snagged them up.

I also have a bag of fiberglass tent masts from the ARMY from another customer of mine.

I love my job sometimes.

ETA: Ive also got 3 or 4 tripods from the second customer.

I love my job sometimes. Oh, I said that.

Posted: 1/3/2012 2:33:48 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
I use the 4ft sections of military fiberglass poles. These interconnect and you can go as high as you want. I use a tripod and on one section I have 4 eyebolts installed just in case I want to go above 30ft and that way I can attach guy ropes. On the top mast section I have my 2M/440 dual band antenna ( Comet GP-1) and about 2ft below that I have another eyebolt installed with a small pulley that I use to pull up a G5RV wire antenna in a inverted V position to use on HF. This set up works well for me and takes about 15 minutes to setup.

I do this sometimes. I made a couple of doughnuts that fit between sections and you can tie guy lines to them. Paracord works great for this.

This is not for long term as the masts will be effected by sunlight.

What I did do for a ground/plane 2 meter antenna is I snagged a 21' lenght of 1 5/8s top rail for chain link fences. They will nest but 42 feet is probably a bit much to deal with.

(I bolted mine to the chimney)

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:29:32 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
alluminum or fiberglass?

2 meter or HF?

mostly hf but possibly 2m as well.

i am looking at something like these....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360370684582?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_958wt_902

Posted: 1/3/2012 6:03:16 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:
alluminum or fiberglass?

2 meter or HF?

mostly hf but possibly 2m as well.

i am looking at something like these....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360370684582?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_958wt_902

I've bought the mast tripod from this dealer. I've corresponded with him several times... he's very helpful and will go out of his way to make sure you're happy with your order.

Posted: 1/4/2012 3:43:36 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
alluminum or fiberglass?

2 meter or HF?

mostly hf but possibly 2m as well.

i am looking at something like these....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360370684582?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_958wt_902

I've bought the mast tripod from this dealer. I've corresponded with him several times... he's very helpful and will go out of his way to make sure you're happy with your order.

anything i need to know... ie.. things that make setup easier etc? how well does the tripod handle uneven terrain?

Posted: 1/4/2012 3:47:43 AM EDT

[#15]

BigDaddy and I have a similar setup.

Posted: 1/4/2012 3:53:47 AM EDT

[#16]

do you prefer the tripod or the ground spike mount?

Posted: 1/4/2012 4:42:59 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

I've bought the mast tripod from this dealer. I've corresponded with him several times... he's very helpful and will go out of his way to make sure you're happy with your order.

with that recommendation, I've added a link to his Ebay Store in our EMCOMM Box Thread-Thanks!

Posted: 1/4/2012 8:05:28 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I use the 4ft sections of military fiberglass poles. These interconnect and you can go as high as you want. I use a tripod and on one section I have 4 eyebolts installed just in case I want to go above 30ft and that way I can attach guy ropes. On the top mast section I have my 2M/440 dual band antenna ( Comet GP-1) and about 2ft below that I have another eyebolt installed with a small pulley that I use to pull up a G5RV wire antenna in a inverted V position to use on HF. This set up works well for me and takes about 15 minutes to setup.

and strength or structural concerns with fiberglass over aluminum? conductivity issues for the antenna?

you rig sound like what i am looking into. could you send a pic a 3?

This setup is what I use when I go camping, Field Day, and ARES emergency setup. I don't use this for my everyday setup but I have made contacts all over the USA, Europe, South America, and Russia on HF. I have never had any problems with this setup and I do put our a rod and ground my radio using a 18 or 20ga wire. I don't have a digital camera but if you PM me with your cellphone number I can send you some pictures from my cellphone when the weather clears (we got snow right now).

Posted: 1/4/2012 8:11:30 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I use the 4ft sections of military fiberglass poles. These interconnect and you can go as high as you want. I use a tripod and on one section I have 4 eyebolts installed just in case I want to go above 30ft and that way I can attach guy ropes. On the top mast section I have my 2M/440 dual band antenna ( Comet GP-1) and about 2ft below that I have another eyebolt installed with a small pulley that I use to pull up a G5RV wire antenna in a inverted V position to use on HF. This set up works well for me and takes about 15 minutes to setup.

and strength or structural concerns with fiberglass over aluminum? conductivity issues for the antenna?

you rig sound like what i am looking into. could you send a pic a 3?

This setup is what I use when I go camping, Field Day, and ARES emergency setup. I don't use this for my everyday setup but I have made contacts all over the USA, Europe, South America, and Russia on HF. I have never had any problems with this setup and I do put our a rod and ground my radio using a 18 or 20ga wire. I don't have a digital camera but if you PM me with your cellphone number I can send you some pictures from my cellphone when the weather clears (we got snow right now).

im inbound

Posted: 1/6/2012 6:10:00 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:

alluminum or fiberglass?

2 meter or HF?

mostly hf but possibly 2m as well.

i am looking at something like these....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360370684582?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_958wt_902

Those would work well as a vertical antenna for HF, but you're gonna need something like an SG-230 to tune it and verticals require ground radiials.

If you are contemplating using that setup to elevate a dipole...you may need to consider some type of non-conductive stand off to prevent any inductive coupling. I have a 40' telescoping aluminum mast attached to my RV. I added a 5' piece of PVC on the top as a stand off for my end fed inverted V. It works well.

I also have a second SG-230 that feeds the mast at the base allowing it to do double duty as a vertical. It, too, works well.

At one time, I had 148 brand new 'camoflage support systems' with the 4' fiberglass poles. I bought them surplus, still in the factory boxes, and sold them for emergency antenna mast kits on ebay. I paid something like 96 cents per unit for them.....and sold most of them for 60 bucks plus shipping per unit.

The fiberglass poles work okay if you dont try to go too high...and if you put a couple of sets of guy lines on them...but then you'll need 2 or 3 extra folks to help raise it without cracking the mast. It's pretty flimsy until you get it raised and guyed out.

My DX Engineering aluminum mast is 60', but I only have the bottom 40' up. It's stout enough to only have 2 clamps holding it in the bottom 6', and has withstood 70 mph winds with no issues. I have the top 20' set aside for a lightweight portable second vertical for deployments.

Hope this helps.

Posted: 1/6/2012 6:34:43 AM EDT

[#21]

i bought the 30' alluminum kit. i have a g5rv mini that i figure should be ok setup as inverted v off this mast. atleast i am hoping so. i also have my buddistick i could rig to the top but not sure i'd want to use it that way.

Posted: 1/6/2012 7:25:31 AM EDT

[#22]

Won't the vertical radiator portion of the G5RV interact w/ the aluminum support can cause problems?

Posted: 1/6/2012 8:17:10 AM EDT

[#23]

don't know. but the instructions show it can be used in that configuration. it is insulated from the mast.

Posted: 1/6/2012 2:54:50 PM EDT

[#24]

Anyone used anything like this?––-http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Military-Fibreglass-Mast-Support-Poles-Ham-Radio-48-/160530378014

Just wondering, because for ~$32, it seems like a good solution.

Posted: 1/6/2012 2:56:28 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:

Anyone used anything like this?––-http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Military-Fibreglass-Mast-Support-Poles-Ham-Radio-48-/160530378014

Just wondering, because for ~$32, it seems like a good solution.

I think a lot of hams use them.

A couple of hamfests around here have had people selling them.

I have a bag full of them.

Posted: 1/6/2012 7:46:49 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

Won't the vertical radiator portion of the G5RV interact w/ the aluminum support can cause problems?

That's what I was refering to in my earlier post...inductive/magnetic coupling. Even If the coax doesn't do it, having the radiators of a G5RV near the metal of a mast will surely couple to the mast.

Were it me, I'd figure a way to put a vertical sleeve of pvc on the top of the mast extending it another 5 or 6 feet and run the dipole off the top of it to negate any coupling issues.

YMMV

Posted: 1/6/2012 7:48:47 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:

Anyone used anything like this?––-http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Military-Fibreglass-Mast-Support-Poles-Ham-Radio-48-/160530378014

Just wondering, because for ~$32, it seems like a good solution.

See the post four above yours.

Posted: 1/6/2012 8:17:11 PM EDT

[#28]

how about this listing?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Fiberglass-poles-US-Military-48-inches-ham-radio-TEN-POLES-per-order-/190620327547

Posted: 1/6/2012 8:28:22 PM EDT

[#29]

http://www.tmastco.com/main/page_products_mast_sections.html

Posted: 1/7/2012 3:59:19 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Won't the vertical radiator portion of the G5RV interact w/ the aluminum support can cause problems?

That's what I was refering to in my earlier post...inductive/magnetic coupling. Even If the coax doesn't do it, having the radiators of a G5RV near the metal of a mast will surely couple to the mast.

Were it me, I'd figure a way to put a vertical sleeve of pvc on the top of the mast extending it another 5 or 6 feet and run the dipole off the top of it to negate any coupling issues.

YMMV

what about using a fiberglass section for the top?

Posted: 1/7/2012 9:34:23 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Won't the vertical radiator portion of the G5RV interact w/ the aluminum support can cause problems?

That's what I was refering to in my earlier post...inductive/magnetic coupling. Even If the coax doesn't do it, having the radiators of a G5RV near the metal of a mast will surely couple to the mast.

Were it me, I'd figure a way to put a vertical sleeve of pvc on the top of the mast extending it another 5 or 6 feet and run the dipole off the top of it to negate any coupling issues.

YMMV

what about using a fiberglass section for the top?

That might work out pretty well, actually.

Posted: 1/7/2012 9:41:46 AM EDT

[#32]

does anyone know if the fiberglass and alluminum poles are compatible? they are dirt cheap on ebay.

i got my 30' mast in today it is 100% new parts. WOOT!

if the FG poles will fit on the end i may order a set of them as well to use on top of the mast.

just ordered a 12 pack of the FG masts off ebay for 32.50 shipped. if they don't fit i'll mod them to work.i figure worst case i build a second mast and use it for 2m/440

Posted: 1/7/2012 10:00:09 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
does anyone know if the fiberglass and alluminum poles are compatible? they are dirt cheap on ebay.

i got my 30' mast in today it is 100% new parts. WOOT!

if the FG poles will fit on the end i may order a set of them as well to use on top of the mast.

just ordered a 12 pack of the FG masts off ebay for 32.50 shipped. if they don't fit i'll mod them to work.i figure worst case i build a second mast and use it for 2m/440

AAR, if you can, because I almost both that one last night. I am really interested to know how it works and pics/details if you can.

Posted: 1/7/2012 10:05:32 AM EDT

[#34]

the alluminum mast is NICE.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360370684582?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_878wt_1396

everything was new and still in the wrap. i dodn't have guy rope yet but i assebled and proped it up on the house to make sure everythng fit together ok. i had it up in under 5 min. figure another 10 min to run the guy lines once i get the rope and precut them. it was amazingly easy to do with only one person. 2 would make it a breeze.

i just ordered this as well today....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160530378014?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_756wt_1396

i figure i can use one for the top pole on the alluminum tower if it fits and the spare base from the first set to make a second tower if needed or for 2m stuff. if nothing else i can always find a use for those poles. at under 3.00 piece shipped it's hard to beat.

i will try to get some pics of it setup next weekend.