My POTA 20 that I ordered was waiting for me when I got home from Huntsville. Took is out today and it. is. awesome. Going to need to get this one too! Thanks for bringing these to us, my friend!
Looks like a winner for sure. Has anyone done a reputable test on carbon fiber interaction/no interaction with a vertical wire antenna? I know there's no problem with an end fed.
Gigaparts is good for the pre order. I read a lot of frustration that the POTA 20 wasn’t coming out to pre-orders but going to Huntsville. I was on the pre order list and received mine 8/15 prior to Huntsville. New things take time, now that I have it in hand it was worth the wait. I also feel the cost is in line with the quality. So the cost for the new longer version seems about right. Any way you go just get out and have some fun with your radios!
@ I don’t see replacement sections on the website. However, I would give them a call or use the online chat. They have been super responsive to me so I’m sure they can let you know if individual sections can be made available.
I'm not a fan of the screw cap. My expedition mast blew out the cap on the bottom when the pole collapsed on me. It was in pieces lol. My spiderbeam has the rubber cap and when the elements hit the bottom there's a lot more give.
@@Kody10538 I have a balled up nitrile glove in the bottom of my telescopic poles, gives a cushion if they collapse. Not sure it would fit into the POTA 20, but it works great in the Chinese 7m poles.
@@zrdcorp The interaction is more inline with the affect of PVC vs ABS vs PTFE with velocity factors. Alu, when formed into a pole and then an antenna, is fully conductive. Carbon fiber is resin cured fabric layup (although the nanotubules are awesome, they are not being used in peasant grade products like telescoping masts, they are saved for the F1 car suspensions ... I jest, there are Italian bicycle manufactures using them for frames, wheels and bottle holders too)
I broke the top section off my fiberglass 10 meter mast, and with this, that won't happen. Also, I have a tow hitch fold down pole, and this will slide inside it, where with the fiberglass mast being fatter, I needed to rig a PVC pipe extension to slide over the pole and connect a larger diameter length of PVC pipe to slide the mast in (side by side connected with heavy duty hose clamps). I also like the fact that the screw cap at the base appears to be the same diameter as the mast, so it can be slide into a tube mount. My setup requires taking the top cap off and sliding into the PVC pipe from the bottom, then mounting it to my hitch mount. I'd like to see a 40' version of this one! Mike - ND7E
Is this a better mast than the DX Commander mast? EDIT: I guess that it is! Will the other new mast be more rigid than even this? I would love to abuse one for longevity testing. Assuming your guys can turn that around before summer. Which is to say, Texas sun and wind are a real testing ground :)
Will there be a restock of the 20 ever? I'm gonna grab this and strap it to my running vest (where the poles mount). My dream is to combine running and SOTA!
@@ve2zdx I use a 7m pole I got for $10 and add probably $3 worth of mods. I originally wanted to upgrade to the POTA 20 and was waiting for Christmas but when they bumped the price up to $100, it knocked that out. I expected this to be around $130 and was willing to do it for the weight savings over other 10m poles, but at $180, I will just continue to use the cheapo.
Does a carbon fiber mast affect the SWR of EFHW in sloper configuration? My EFHW is tuned to work CW POTA from a rope in a tree on 40, 20, 15, and 10m. Would be interested to know if the carbon fiber mast affects the SWR curves of a EFHW sloper. 73, W9MIC
Not in the years I've been using carbon fiber and EFHW's as a sloper. Been out 3 times this week with the POTA 20 and the PackTenna EFHW and my SWR doesn't even show up on my 705. I've got that thing tuned in very well and it doesn't care.
Technically but not much. When I had this on a vertical configuration with the 20 meter element, my SWR went up a little tiny bit. From a 1.0:1 to ~1.3:1
Towers are made out of aluminum. As long as you don't run straight up it, you are fine. I use Carbon fiber for lots of things and have not had any issues.
I'm going to make a video about how you can melt one of these ! :)
Hahaha!! I can't wait!
The POTA 20 is a good deal and the perfect size. The new 33' looks nice but too expensive,
This video has convinced me to buy a DX Commander Expedition Replacement mast for $71
Great. It's a hell of a mast.
@@hamradiotube The POTA 33 will probably be the best made mast of that size and fornat.
Pricewise, it will not be for eveybody.
My POTA 20 that I ordered was waiting for me when I got home from Huntsville. Took is out today and it. is. awesome.
Going to need to get this one too! Thanks for bringing these to us, my friend!
Looks like a winner for sure. Has anyone done a reputable test on carbon fiber interaction/no interaction with a vertical wire antenna? I know there's no problem with an end fed.
@@dougdaniels I’m pretty sure it was SotaBeams that did a paper on coupling effect of the Carbon 6 with vertical wires.
Could you explain why I would want the POTA33 over the POTA20 and vice versa? Use case, scenarios, etc.
Received my POTA 20 earlier in the week and used it on two POTA activations. So far so good!
Gigaparts is good for the pre order. I read a lot of frustration that the POTA 20 wasn’t coming out to pre-orders but going to Huntsville. I was on the pre order list and received mine 8/15 prior to Huntsville. New things take time, now that I have it in hand it was worth the wait. I also feel the cost is in line with the quality. So the cost for the new longer version seems about right. Any way you go just get out and have some fun with your radios!
Will you be able to buy individual sections for when I eventually find a silly way to snap it?
@ I don’t see replacement sections on the website. However, I would give them a call or use the online chat. They have been super responsive to me so I’m sure they can let you know if individual sections can be made available.
Love the 20 ft version and just completed a pre-order for the 33 ft.
33' POTA mast? Have to have it. (Even though I just got my 20' mast a few days ago haha)
73 de KI7QCF!
Just got my pota20 going to do my first pota with using my slinky antenna and ldg 9-1 unun.
I'm not a fan of the screw cap. My expedition mast blew out the cap on the bottom when the pole collapsed on me. It was in pieces lol. My spiderbeam has the rubber cap and when the elements hit the bottom there's a lot more give.
@@Kody10538 I have a balled up nitrile glove in the bottom of my telescopic poles, gives a cushion if they collapse. Not sure it would fit into the POTA 20, but it works great in the Chinese 7m poles.
Thats so interesting. Ive not ever seen a vertical fan dipole with alloy pole.
The carbon mast does have some interaction with the Antenna..How much depends on the material construction..
@@zrdcorp The interaction is more inline with the affect of PVC vs ABS vs PTFE with velocity factors. Alu, when formed into a pole and then an antenna, is fully conductive. Carbon fiber is resin cured fabric layup (although the nanotubules are awesome, they are not being used in peasant grade products like telescoping masts, they are saved for the F1 car suspensions ... I jest, there are Italian bicycle manufactures using them for frames, wheels and bottle holders too)
@@Maker_Mikey Best frames are made in Taiwan...
@@zrdcorp 😶
I'm excited for the 33 footer, but I'll wait until after Christmas.
I broke the top section off my fiberglass 10 meter mast, and with this, that won't happen. Also, I have a tow hitch fold down pole, and this will slide inside it, where with the fiberglass mast being fatter, I needed to rig a PVC pipe extension to slide over the pole and connect a larger diameter length of PVC pipe to slide the mast in (side by side connected with heavy duty hose clamps). I also like the fact that the screw cap at the base appears to be the same diameter as the mast, so it can be slide into a tube mount. My setup requires taking the top cap off and sliding into the PVC pipe from the bottom, then mounting it to my hitch mount. I'd like to see a 40' version of this one! Mike - ND7E
I love your Shirt man. Rock on my Metal Brother
🤘🏻Thanks brother. Now I can troll APRS & Windows users 🤣
Is this a better mast than the DX Commander mast? EDIT: I guess that it is! Will the other new mast be more rigid than even this? I would love to abuse one for longevity testing. Assuming your guys can turn that around before summer. Which is to say, Texas sun and wind are a real testing ground :)
Will you be able to buy individual sections for when I eventually find a silly way to snap it?
As soon as they can keep up with demand, yes.
Will there be a restock of the 20 ever? I'm gonna grab this and strap it to my running vest (where the poles mount). My dream is to combine running and SOTA!
Yes there will. My advice would be to preorder it so you get one when they are back in stock. They fill all preorders first.
Sorry man $180 is just bonkers for a field portable mast. At $130 I’d play ball.
😂
I use 10 meters fishing pole I bought for 30
@@ve2zdx I use a 7m pole I got for $10 and add probably $3 worth of mods. I originally wanted to upgrade to the POTA 20 and was waiting for Christmas but when they bumped the price up to $100, it knocked that out. I expected this to be around $130 and was willing to do it for the weight savings over other 10m poles, but at $180, I will just continue to use the cheapo.
@@MoseRUclips Or wait until they possibly put it on sale. Yeah, $180 is a bit 'stiff'.
Honestly for $180 that works better and goes further than my jank $40 painter’s pole from Home Depot, I think that this is a good investment.
Does a carbon fiber mast affect the SWR of EFHW in sloper configuration? My EFHW is tuned to work CW POTA from a rope in a tree on 40, 20, 15, and 10m. Would be interested to know if the carbon fiber mast affects the SWR curves of a EFHW sloper. 73, W9MIC
Not in the years I've been using carbon fiber and EFHW's as a sloper. Been out 3 times this week with the POTA 20 and the PackTenna EFHW and my SWR doesn't even show up on my 705. I've got that thing tuned in very well and it doesn't care.
Love the masts. Any chance gigaparts will do another run on the explorer solar panels? I just started doing pota and missed out.
I'm not sure what's up with those.
even your tshirt is in light mode 😀
Damn right!
Very nice Mike.
Thank you kindly
Pre ordered.
Ordered!
😉
I am in line and I saved $9.00 with K8MRD. Thanks Mike
Nice
To much, looks good just wish it was a little less
I ordered one!!!
Nice!
Wow, $180, good luck with that
I got the Dude Stick from Sean
Isnt carbon fibre a conductor? So this wont work for verticals?
Technically but not much. When I had this on a vertical configuration with the 20 meter element, my SWR went up a little tiny bit. From a 1.0:1 to ~1.3:1
Towers are made out of aluminum. As long as you don't run straight up it, you are fine. I use Carbon fiber for lots of things and have not had any issues.
@@don_n5skt Good point.
Telescoping flag pole - $50 to $100
Was so excited until I saw the pricetag
Too many dollars since I have 4 other masts already
Fruition? Is that another name for price-gouging? Are you 'effin' serious ? I dare you to try to justify that price of $180.
Sorry but pre orders are not to be trusted.
I think the ~500 people who pre-ordered the 20' version might disagree...
Might have to save up for this puppy. No more trying to get EFHWs in trees!
- KF0QNM