Hi Jim -
For supporting those collapsible masts for portable operation I've found
that an old shovel handle, sharpened at one end, driven into the ground,
and used with a couple of hose clamps, makes a convenient support post.
Just a short post, a rock or hatchet to do the pounding, and a couple of
hose clamps or some small rope. Fence posts and motel deck railings are
also often available.
At first I liked your idea of Velcro to hold the wire to the mast but then I
realized you couldn't collapse the mast with the Velcro on it. I just use a
little electrical tape and throw it away when it's time to pack up.
Gene / W2LU
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lux" <jimlux@earthlink.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 7:18 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Temporary tower/antenna question
On 2/1/13 1:36 PM, K7LXC@aol.com wrote:
Howdy, TowerTalkians --
I'm researching temporary antenna installations (like Field Day)
and
was wondering if you have some input. What did you use? How did you
erect
it? Materials? Hints and kinks?
This is with an eye towards safety and effectiveness. I don't need
real specifics (like what antenna to use) but general thoughts and
considerations. Tnx for any input.
Temporary guys.. We've used static line (non-stretchy kernmantle rope) to
guy a tower trailer as well as a "iwo jima" erected 20 foot (two sections
of 25, I think). I don't know how good it really is if the wind comes up,
especially because the anchors are something like steel t-stakes.
For myself, I've recently been fooling with one of those 40 foot carbon
fiber collapsible masts. It works pretty well (albeit a bit bendy at the
top), but you need some way to support the bottom upright, particularly
during erection. In any case, it nicely supports a couple inverted Vs at
right angles which also serve as "quasi-guys".. I do expect it to collapse
in any decent wind, but the wires and nylon cord (mason's twine in nice
visible dayglo colors) do help prevent it from waving around.
I run a tuner at the base, and RG-8X up the mast. Velcro works very well
to hold the wires to the mast as you erect so they're not waving around.
I have given serious thought to a sort of improvised open wire line..
basically bring 4 loose wires down the side roughly distributed evenly.
Who cares what the Z is, because the tuner will take care of it.
Some years ago I was trying to build a field deployable phased array made
with 4 verticals using collapsible fishing poles (20 foot from Cabela),
but I don't know that it gives enough performance improvement. I think the
extra height from the 40 foot pole and using the crossed dipoles to form a
null is as effective.
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