In this video I demonstrate using a couple military pole sets to put up an antenna structure in the middle of a field with 1 person. I mount a windom type antenna to the mast.
I have a Blue Sky tripod (AL1 series) mast system, company in Florida. They have you tube video. Great for field day and last for many years. The 31.5 ft mast system will hold 30 lbs. I had a homebrew 20 meter moxon and a yaesu rotator in it. Ive had no problem with rust. You can put up or take down mast system in less than 30 min. Great for typhoon conditions to take down quickly. The mast sections are aluminum,3ft in length. The heavy duty mast is 5ft high. Comes with a heavy duty bag with wheels. Total weight is 83lbs. Maybe pricey for some but will last many years. Im happy. Now I have a 20 meter wire dipole on it. No problem with wire interaction, I put a 5ft extension of pvc schedule 40 at the top and mounted my fiberglass fishing rods that supports my 14 guage wire elements.
From my 25 years experience in the US Army, that set and bags actually looks like a camouflage net support system. Those sets had fiberglass poles (4ft) and the spanners that fanned out at the top to support the net. Aluminum poles (3ft) came in a different type bag for supporting antennas such as the OE-254 (discone), RC-292 (ground plane), or COM201B (broadband ground plane) for VHF low (30-88 MHz) and had plenty of guy rope. Your set may be a mixture of both types. I recall we used 4 guy ropes especially when using the heavier COM201B antenna. The mast was laid on the ground connected to the hinged base. Guy ropes attached to the mast and the stakes to build a rigid A-frame on the ground. Another guy rope of exactly the same length as the others went from the mast to another stake behind the mast. This method allowed one person alone to easily raise a 30ft mast and antenna. Once erect, simply pull the 4th guy into position. Taller masts 40-50ft were sometimes used and took additional guys especially with the heavier antenna.
You can cut the circular end off the butterflies and use it as the base for mounting wires for each band on a homebrew DX Commander style fan vertical, just drill a pole sized hole in it and mount your resonant radiators in a circle around the edges. Also, you can use the leftover butterfly spreader at the top of another pole as an insulating support to hang dipoles from. My 22 years in the Army gave me a love for OD green stuff too, brother! - K5SFC
What I find with my mast which is the aluminum variety it does interfere with certain bands. What I need to do is make an adapter that will allow my fiber glass poles to interface with the aluminum mast. Final sections of fiberglass will interfere less with radiation patterns.
I have two of the aluminum kits from Go Vertical, with the tripod section. For VHF I use two fiberglass sections up top with the N9TAX Slim Jim taped on. Works great!
That's actually camouflage netting support. We us this every cycle to cover our T.O.C. or retrans sites. Makes a great antenna as well. We used our trusty oe-254s though and we had what's called a Blue Sky Mast.
I've been using these surplus masts for a few years now, and you're right. The aluminum masts are not only stronger, they don't leave itchy fiberglass residue on your hands. Thanks for the new ideas.
I use a stainless steel pulley used on sailboats. Never rust, never seize. You can find these at any boaters supply shop such as West Marine. Its worth the money. You need to wrap the ropes around individual pieces of thin plywood and use Velcro ties to secure each "bobbin" of guy line. The wood bobbins will add a bit of weight to your setup but save you the grief of tangled lines.
Excellent video. I'm using a 23' painter's pole, but this military surplus mast is a much better fit. Also, your Slim Jim antenna goes with me everywhere in the backcountry. Works great. Keep up the good work.
the ribbed pieces with the reinforced ends are antenna mast sections. The plain sections are for camouflage net supports. This is true for fiberglass and aluminum.
This is excellent and well thought out. Thanks for posting! One suggestion: especially if you pre-load the antenna(s) on the mast and the wind is blowing with any strength which is quite common around here, lift the mast with the wind behind. It can be a bit difficult to put it up against the wind. An “empty” mast, not so much. 73 DE K0VZ
My antenna mast system, I had a 10 element 2 meter antenna and a yeasu rotator. No problem holding up with included 5ft heavy duty tripod and the 3 ft aluminum mast sections.😊
Thanks for the info, I am currently renting a house with a pretty big backyard. I was looking into this type of setup. I was planning on using the aluminum sections to get some height and have a survey tripod on the bottom for extra support. I was thinking an inverted V dipole antenna or use a Hustler 6BTV 6-Band HF Vertical Antenna. This setup appeals to me because of 1. cost 2. strength in high wind 3. I can transport this and set it up anywhere fairly easily.
I would like to do that with an endfed inverted V antenna for 10-80 meters. Would I need to get these poles in fiberglass to keep the pole from interfering with the antenna wire? Also is there a way to attach the inverted V wire to the top of the pole so I could take the wire down without having to lower the pole completely?
Sorry to say, but that is no antenna mast, those are camouflage net holders, I used them out in the field many of times, we would lay out our camouflage net over our tank, then lift the the net up with the 4 paddle blades on top of the pole. But anyways it worked as a antenna mast.
I like your video. I have a suggestion, on your U bolts swap the nuts for wing nuts. Makes it easier for finger tight and loosening them up. I also like your suggestions for hanging other antennas on the set up at the same time. I also have some fiberglass poles and I put hose clamps at the bottom which helps strengthen them, but I don't put up more than 5 sections. Nice job Gary KF6EWO
Nice job! How long is the guiderope? Could be interesting to know. I just building an own kit for fielddays and im using 9,6meters and i have a five meter space from sticks to bottom of mast, and i have two guypoints right now, 4,8 and 9,6m. Maybe i will use one more section for 10,8 meters 👍🏻
I never really measured the ropes. I just walked them out until they looked like a 45 degree angle. I did this with the mast on the ground of course. My theory was come up with a way to set this up without a tape measure or anything. If I ever need to do this in an emergency I want the setup to be as simple as possible.
Do you think the aluminum set up would work for a wind turbine for an off grid system with cable guide wires for support? I am looking to go up 60-70 feet with it permanently anchored.
For a very small turbine. Say one based on like an automotive alternator I think it would. These things can support quite a bit once erected and guyed. The biggest issue with larger loads is standing it up without bending it. For that sort of load I would also suggest at least 2 sets of guy ropes..
Great information and visual aid, thanks. This would have been way more helpful without the excessive gab, just saying. Again, thanks for taking the time to record, edit and post the video. Good luck with your future projects.
Question : What do you use for the guy attachments 2/3 up the height? I've got some cheap cutting boards that I plan to cut disks from to attach guys but if you have something better, I'd go for that.
So the guy who used to run around to all of the hamfests had rings that looked like they were issued with the kits. Each kit had 2. I see some on ebay www.ebay.com/itm/334364505593?hash=item4dd9ad75f9:g:LKIAAOSwtI9iL8Of Seem a little pricey. But they claim to be steel. Mine are fiberglass.
Great video! Thank you! Would it be possible to stack two of these kits (so 2x48ft?)? I see these on Ebay and the highest the kits go is 48ft and for best results at my location need a 90ft plus pole to mount an antenna... Any insight is appreciated! Thank you!
The tubes are strong but you would not be able to do what you are suggesting without guy ropes. There is simply too much play in the joints and how would you secure the base? Mine is on a hinge. Without guys it would just fall down.
That would depend on the weight of the antenna. I personally believe you could put 10 or less pounds of antennas on the mast and still be able to stand it up.
I have a Blue Sky tripod (AL1 series) mast system, company in Florida. They have you tube video. Great for field day and last for many years. The 31.5 ft mast system will hold 30 lbs. I had a homebrew 20 meter moxon and a yaesu rotator in it. Ive had no problem with rust. You can put up or take down mast system in less than 30 min. Great for typhoon conditions to take down quickly. The mast sections are aluminum,3ft in length.
The heavy duty mast is 5ft high. Comes with a heavy duty bag with wheels. Total weight is 83lbs. Maybe pricey for some but will last many years. Im happy. Now I have a 20 meter wire dipole on it. No problem with wire interaction, I put a 5ft extension of pvc schedule 40 at the top and mounted my fiberglass fishing rods that supports my 14 guage wire elements.
From my 25 years experience in the US Army, that set and bags actually looks like a camouflage net support system. Those sets had fiberglass poles (4ft) and the spanners that fanned out at the top to support the net. Aluminum poles (3ft) came in a different type bag for supporting antennas such as the OE-254 (discone), RC-292 (ground plane), or COM201B (broadband ground plane) for VHF low (30-88 MHz) and had plenty of guy rope. Your set may be a mixture of both types. I recall we used 4 guy ropes especially when using the heavier COM201B antenna. The mast was laid on the ground connected to the hinged base. Guy ropes attached to the mast and the stakes to build a rigid A-frame on the ground. Another guy rope of exactly the same length as the others went from the mast to another stake behind the mast. This method allowed one person alone to easily raise a 30ft mast and antenna. Once erect, simply pull the 4th guy into position. Taller masts 40-50ft were sometimes used and took additional guys especially with the heavier antenna.
Yep, those flower pedal spreaders are for the camo. Good use of how to repurpose the gear.
For the record and i may have to rename the video. YES these are repurposed camo net supports.
You can cut the circular end off the butterflies and use it as the base for mounting wires for each band on a homebrew DX Commander style fan vertical, just drill a pole sized hole in it and mount your resonant radiators in a circle around the edges. Also, you can use the leftover butterfly spreader at the top of another pole as an insulating support to hang dipoles from. My 22 years in the Army gave me a love for OD green stuff too, brother!
- K5SFC
What I find with my mast which is the aluminum variety it does interfere with certain bands. What I need to do is make an adapter that will allow my fiber glass poles to interface with the aluminum mast. Final sections of fiberglass will interfere less with radiation patterns.
I have two of the aluminum kits from Go Vertical, with the tripod section. For VHF I use two fiberglass sections up top with the N9TAX Slim Jim taped on. Works great!
That's actually camouflage netting support. We us this every cycle to cover our T.O.C. or retrans sites. Makes a great antenna as well. We used our trusty oe-254s though and we had what's called a Blue Sky Mast.
I've been using these surplus masts for a few years now, and you're right. The aluminum masts are not only stronger, they don't leave itchy fiberglass residue on your hands. Thanks for the new ideas.
The old reliable GRA4 mast kit. They are quite versatile. Used them in my military career.
I use a stainless steel pulley used on sailboats. Never rust, never seize. You can find these at any boaters supply shop such as West Marine. Its worth the money. You need to wrap the ropes around individual pieces of thin plywood and use Velcro ties to secure each "bobbin" of guy line. The wood bobbins will add a bit of weight to your setup but save you the grief of tangled lines.
Thanks for the tip on the SS pulley.
Excellent video. I'm using a 23' painter's pole, but this military surplus mast is a much better fit. Also, your Slim Jim antenna goes with me everywhere in the backcountry. Works great. Keep up the good work.
the ribbed pieces with the reinforced ends are antenna mast sections. The plain sections are for camouflage net supports. This is true for fiberglass and aluminum.
The plastic mast base is actually spreader bars for netting.
Very nicely illustrated Joe, well done. 73 de WE9C
Glad you enjoyed it
This is excellent and well thought out. Thanks for posting!
One suggestion: especially if you pre-load the antenna(s) on the mast and the wind is blowing with any strength which is quite common around here, lift the mast with the wind behind. It can be a bit difficult to put it up against the wind. An “empty” mast, not so much.
73 DE K0VZ
Good tip!
Very interesting. I'm new to the hobby, and I've erected an OE254 before which was fun and satisfying. I'm a 25U in the Army. (FCC CS KO4SMS)
Those military antenna mast set are in fact camouflage support system. But you are right they make nice wire antenna mast.
My antenna mast system, I had a 10 element 2 meter antenna and a yeasu rotator. No problem holding up with included
5ft heavy duty tripod and the 3 ft aluminum mast sections.😊
Thanks for the video. Very nicely done. I may use this setup in the future. 73 WW5N
Very helpful, thank you.
Wheres the final build ? ???
Thanks for the info, I am currently renting a house with a pretty big backyard. I was looking into this type of setup. I was planning on using the aluminum sections to get some height and have a survey tripod on the bottom for extra support. I was thinking an inverted V dipole antenna or use a Hustler 6BTV 6-Band HF Vertical Antenna. This setup appeals to me because of 1. cost 2. strength in high wind 3. I can transport this and set it up anywhere fairly easily.
I would like to do that with an endfed inverted V antenna for 10-80 meters. Would I need to get these poles in fiberglass to keep the pole from interfering with the antenna wire? Also is there a way to attach the inverted V wire to the top of the pole so I could take the wire down without having to lower the pole completely?
Sorry to say, but that is no antenna mast, those are camouflage net holders, I used them out in the field many of times, we would lay out our camouflage net over our tank, then lift the the net up with the 4 paddle blades on top of the pole.
But anyways it worked as a antenna mast.
I said the same thing when I saw the paddles, it’s made for camouflage netting.. I thought he was going to use a 292 antenna kit.
Yes these are re-purposed camo net support masts. I thought I even mentioned that in the video. If I did not I apologize for misleading you.
I like your video. I have a suggestion, on your U bolts swap the nuts for wing nuts. Makes it easier for finger tight and loosening them up.
I also like your suggestions for hanging other antennas on the set up at the same time. I also have some fiberglass poles and I put
hose clamps at the bottom which helps strengthen them, but I don't put up more than 5 sections. Nice job Gary KF6EWO
Thanks for the video very well done.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice job! How long is the guiderope? Could be interesting to know. I just building an own kit for fielddays and im using 9,6meters and i have a five meter space from sticks to bottom of mast, and i have two guypoints right now, 4,8 and 9,6m. Maybe i will use one more section for 10,8 meters 👍🏻
I never really measured the ropes. I just walked them out until they looked like a 45 degree angle. I did this with the mast on the ground of course. My theory was come up with a way to set this up without a tape measure or anything. If I ever need to do this in an emergency I want the setup to be as simple as possible.
you can buy anywhere except in the UK.....
Do you think the aluminum set up would work for a wind turbine for an off grid system with cable guide wires for support? I am looking to go up 60-70 feet with it permanently anchored.
For a very small turbine. Say one based on like an automotive alternator I think it would. These things can support quite a bit once erected and guyed. The biggest issue with larger loads is standing it up without bending it. For that sort of load I would also suggest at least 2 sets of guy ropes..
Great information and visual aid, thanks. This would have been way more helpful without the excessive gab, just saying. Again, thanks for taking the time to record, edit and post the video. Good luck with your future projects.
Question : What do you use for the guy attachments 2/3 up the height? I've got some cheap cutting boards that I plan to cut disks from to attach guys but if you have something better, I'd go for that.
So the guy who used to run around to all of the hamfests had rings that looked like they were issued with the kits. Each kit had 2. I see some on ebay www.ebay.com/itm/334364505593?hash=item4dd9ad75f9:g:LKIAAOSwtI9iL8Of
Seem a little pricey. But they claim to be steel. Mine are fiberglass.
@@N9TAX thanks for the feedback. I think the dollar store cutting boards I got should work fine once I take some measurements and make some cuts.
Great video! Thank you! Would it be possible to stack two of these kits (so 2x48ft?)? I see these on Ebay and the highest the kits go is 48ft and for best results at my location need a 90ft plus pole to mount an antenna... Any insight is appreciated! Thank you!
I believe it would be difficult to stand 90 feet of this mast up. You could probably cheat a couple more sections in.
@@N9TAX Thank you!
Just how strong are those tubes…Could they handle a cb antenna 19 ft tall you think ? Let’s say at 30 ft with no guide cables…😮
The tubes are strong but you would not be able to do what you are suggesting without guy ropes. There is simply too much play in the joints and how would you secure the base? Mine is on a hinge. Without guys it would just fall down.
I was going to use my antenna wall mounts..they are spread apart around 10 ft on the side of my house..”
That’s a cleat, not a turnbuckle.
Do the 4' sections wedge together or is it a loose wobbly connection? Thanx. 73
The sections do have some play. However the fit is good enough to stand it up and keep it straight. I would say a good balanced fit.
They are not tapered so not a wedge action.
Thank you!
👍
I have 18 net spreaders and would love give them away! They are the heaviest part of the kit and pretty much useless.
Does the metal mast interact with the Windham antenna?
I have not had an issue that i can tell. I do not typically have the vertical cable up aginst the mast. It is pulled away a foot or 2 at the bottom.
Could you put a colinear on the top??
That would depend on the weight of the antenna. I personally believe you could put 10 or less pounds of antennas on the mast and still be able to stand it up.
I take it you got the ouchy Fauci clot shot, no videos for while. All for the greater good I suppose.
The info you are presenting is great, but the audio keeps fading to near nothing, kind of a wasted effort.