[amsat-bb] Antenna Masts

[Bill Bordy, NJ1H]

I use two old fiberglass windsurfer masts hose clamped together. See the
photo at the bottom of my QRZ page. I have been using this setup for
years on 6M with no issues. It does bend in the high wind, but that is
what windsurfer masts do. This was to be a temporary thing, but it keeps
working. I did take it down before one hurricane here, but not that
difficult with two people.

I picked the masts up at a garage sale. The old fat ones are obsolete,
so if you can find them, you may get a deal also. Each mast is about 16
feet. I have about 8 feet of overlap.

The bottom mast is in my deck mounted rotator which is at the base of
the roof style tripod. The rotator is used with a aluminum sleeve
bearing in the tripod to minimize mast movement at the rotator when the
mast flexes. If I use a more expensive rotator, I might add a thrust
bearing at the top of the tripod to take additional weight and bending
load off of the rotator.

Regardless of my implementation, it is a quick and inexpensive way to
get a portable 6M antenna in the air.

Bill
NJ1H


On 7/27/2018 2:36 PM, Paul Overn via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> Thanks to all for the responses. I received more information then I could have hoped for. So now come the fun part: Research. Seems that most use the military masts, but there are some other suppliers that really look interesting. 
> I have a summary of the information you have sent me. If I missed someone or something, I'm sorry, but with all the emails coming in I was a bit overwhelmed.
> • Stephan Green:  • Penningers Radio Aluminum Masts: https://www.penningerradio.com/index.asp  • KiCRA: Interesting Stuff: http://www.k1cra.com   ○ Specifically: http://www.k1cra.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MAST21B (• Christy Hunter: MFG Fiberglass collapsible masts• Terry Osborn: Clark Masts (British) http://www.clarkmasts.com/products/telescopic-masts/• Ted Krempa: Ebay Fiberglass Military Surplus Masts:  ○ Also explained how to do a hitch mount• Robert Bragg: More Military Masts: Explained Pros and Cons• Robert Bankston: Spiderbeam USA Aluminum Mast• David Jaeger: Aluminum Flagpole Kit From Harbor Freight• John (N7AME) More Military Surplus Http://www.tmastco.com/main/page_products_mast_sections.html• Butch Alline: Power company "hot Sticks"  • Gerald Witalic: More Military Surplus •  Joe's Army Navy Surplus | Military Surplus, Outdoor and Tactical Gear• Don (KB2YSI): Spiderbeam and Penningerradio 
>
> Paul Overn
> KE0PBR
> Twitter: @KE0PBR
> `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>
>  
>
>     On Thursday, July 26, 2018, 7:24:04 AM CDT, Paul Overn <povern at yahoo.com> wrote:  
>  
>  I know this isn't exactly satellite related, but I've asked for help in other places, and the feedback has been sparse. You guys have always been very helpful.
> I'm looking for a portable antenna mast that I can use between passes while satellite roving. I would like it to be able to go to at least 20', hold a 5 element M2 6 Meter yagi, be able to fit in a small truck and be portable. 
> I have looked at numerous military surplus masts, like at Go-vertical-usa, but they will not return any of my correspondence. I have looked into many "home brew" solutions, but I'm just not that handy.
>
> Anyone have any good sites I can go to for something that fits my needs?
> Thanks in advance for your help!
>
>
> Paul Overn
> KE0PBR
> Twitter: @KE0PBR
> `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>
>   
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