[TowerTalk] fiberglass masts

[Norm Schklar]

http://www.ontariosurplus.com/ab577.htm
Back in my days in the Signal Corps we used this to go over 50 ft.  I've
seen them at hamfests.




On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 11:08 AM, Art Trampler <atrampler at att.net> wrote:

> This is an antenna support question...so hopefully it is close enough to a
> tower to allow a little discussion!
>
> I have been thinking about constructing an antenna support of military
> surplus 48" fiberglass masts.  I would like to get up close to 70', though,
> both for an inverted vee and to run a wire vertical up it.
>
> Here is what I am considering: using 3 of the masts, joined with U-bolts
> around (or inside?) of 6" or 8" diameter PVC pipe, sliced into 3" or 4"
> pieces.  I would rather use u-bolts than drill/bolt through so as not to
> weaken the fiberglass, and also to make keeping things even a bit easier.
>
> I would guy this at two, or if necessary three levels with dacron rope.
>
> So am I crazy?  Or is there a real structural advantage to this over a
> single, guyed mast such as the one sold by MFJ?
>
> For the vertical, I am playing with the design for the relay-switched
> dipole that was in QST a few months ago, using ladder line.  With such a
> design I could put relays for each band (two each on 40 and 80/75) for full
> coverage with very little, or without compromise.  Perhaps I could later add
> base-loading for 160, or a combination of top loading/capacity hat switched
> in/out and something at the base.  The fiberglass would lend itself to this,
> and to supporting an inverted vee.
>
> Feedback is appreciate, and since this isn't a true tower (of steel or
> aluminum), please feel free to contact me directly.
>
> Art, KØRO
> atrampler at att.net
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>



-- 
Norm Schklar