Another idea for a mast is the telescoping painter's poles, available in
various lengths in any hardware or home improvement store.
I bet if you bonded the telescoping sections together with braid and
hose clamps, you could use the painter's pole as a vertical antenna.
73,
Bob WB2VUF
On 3/28/2012 11:22 AM, Richards wrote:
> My favorite plan for a portable field antenna is...
>
>
> Push up sections of fiberglass mast. At the top, you
> have a feed point for two opposing dipoles - each
> element of which is set 90 degrees from the next,
> adjacent elements, respectively. Measure these
> for the two bands you want to work most... and add
> sufficient rope to the end so the construct is both
> antenna and guy line. Stake the lines with camping
> tent stakes.
>
> Pound a short piece of water pipe (which is just
> larger in inside diameter than the mast) into the
> ground as a base that keeps the bottom of the
> mast from moving about. It does not have to be
> deep, just deep enough to keep the mast from
> squiggling about - you can pull it up easily when
> you move on. Another solution when using
> hollow masts, is to pound a short rod or pipe
> which has an outside diameter less then the
> inside diameter of the mast tubing, and that
> will keep it from sliding about. A little electrical
> or duct tape will serve to minimize abrasion.
>
> The four elements of the dipoles serve as radiators
> and guy lines, and if it is not really windy, this
> is sufficient to hold the whole thing together.
> Otherwise a second set of guy lines can be used,
> maybe just 3 more, if you mast is rally tall and
> it gets a bit windy out.
>
> A telescoping mast with its own quick release
> fasteners often folds down to a single 36-48 inch
> item for traveling. Roll up the wire elements
> separately, pick up your base rod or pipe, and
> move out when HQ gives the order to bug out.
>
>
> I have friends using this design for monthly QRP field days during the
> summer months. This will be a full sized dipole, and way more efficient
> than a BuddyPole, also probably twice as high in the air.
>
> ======================= K8JHR ==========================
>
>
>
> On 3/27/2012 3:02 PM, John wrote:
>
>> What are good choices for portable antennas? I guess I would start with
>> a buddy-pole or similar antenna and go from there.
>
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