Topband: DXE Thunderbolt

[CUTTER DAVID]

Further to that scheme, is there a sound way to join a Spider pole to a scaffold pole? The cost change from 18m Spider to the next sizes up is quite a jump, but I've often thought an alloy scaffold pole at the base would be worth the effort if I had a decent way to join them. I can raise the 18m Spider pole using a falling derrick on my own and a rigid extension underneath looks doable with help.  

David G3UNA/G6CP

> On 06 December 2020 at 18:55 Roger Kennedy <roger at wessexproductions.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> David I'm inclined to agree with the other Gs . . . you could do this MUCH
> more cheaply yourself (maybe a tenth of the cost) . . . and probably make a
> stronger and more efficient antenna.
> 
> 21ft thick-walled alloy scaffold aren't that expensive, yet are extremely
> strong . . . and if you see a scaffold van parked, ask the driver how much
> he could let you have a couple for (I think you'd be surprised!)
> 
> Clamp 2 together, and add another 21ft normal thickness pole on top
> (obtainable from any TV aerial company).
> 
> Then increase the length with a horizontal wire section, to get it resonant.
> 
> Personally, I wouldn't even use the poles as the radiator . . . easier to
> just run a thick wire from the top to a couple of feet out from the bottom .
> . . if you want to increase efficiency use 6 wires in a cage.  
> 
> And if you do that, you could use a fibreglass top section - old Windsurfing
> masts are cheap as chips on eBay and VERY strong ! (I still Windsurf, so
> have several of these)
> 
> 73 Roger G3YRO
> 
> _________________
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector