[TowerTalk] Flagpoles as a Stealth Antenna

[Tower2sell@aol.com]

Flagpoles are a hot item in the commercial world and are quite pricey for the 
HAM radio. The commercial operators use a fiberglass radome on top of a steel 
pole (tapered or pipe). Normally there are three or more flat panel antennas. 
Some arrangements have them at 0, 120, 240 and another arrangement is to 
stack them vertically. They normally do not use a standard flagpole because 
the diameter is too small. The flagpoles they use range in diameter from 
about 12" to 30".

On top of a flag pole is the flagpole truck and ball. A flagpole truck is a 
set of bearings that swings around with the flag and keeps it from wraping 
around the pole. The largest "normal" truck fits a 7.5" pole with maybe a 12" 
truck being available. The larger diameters require a custom made truck 
assembly.

Now if all you need to do is mount a whip type antenna, you could use a 
standard fiberglass flagpole and "hang" it from the top inside the pole. The 
flagpole foundations are about 10% of the flagpole and one could come in 
underground and up the pole. Leave some extra cable in the pole so that you 
can pull the antenna all the way out the top. Now for the ball and truck 
assembly - find one that attaches with set screws instead on the convential 
1-1/4" pipe thread. 

No one will know where your antenna is and the exercise pogram to service the 
antenna will keep you in top physical shape climbing the slick flagpole (the 
rope should help some).

Tower2sell@aol.com





In a message dated Wed, 20 Dec 2000 10:25:18 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
Richard Thorne <rthorne@tcac.net> writes:

<< Hello Group:

A friend mentioned and idea for a stealth antenna that got me to
thinking.

Anyone out there using a flagpole as a vertical?  If so is it
metal/fiberglass?  How do you feed it.

Looking for multi band ideas, say 10 through 40.

Thanks in advance.

--
73,

Richard Thorne
ARS N5ZC (ex KA2DSY, N2BHP, WB5M)
Remote Control Airplanes:  AMA# 657062
http://www.tcac.net/~rthorne/



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 >>



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