[UK-CONTEST] Gin Poles

[MM0BQI]

Quick follow up on my recent 'gin pole' experiences.
Used two 10m masts at the weekend during NFD and they worked a treat. I 
mounted the rotator at the bottom and used two three foot scaf poles joined 
in a T as the pivot and mast base,  gin pole was 5m long. Rigging the guys 
was easy using a marked line to determine their position.
A useful feature of this method is that you don't need to support the end of 
the pole when mounting the antenna (5ele 4/6m and 19ele 70cms beams)  I just 
tied off the guy attached to the end of the gin pole at the right height.
Very easy and safe to bring down single handed even with winds gusting over 
50mph!
Until I have made my homebrew mobile telescopic mast this is the way for me 
from now on, hopefully with no more damaged shoulders!
73 and thanks again for all the great advice on and off the reflector.
Jim,  MM0BQI

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jim martin" <mm0bqi at gmail.com>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 10:43 AM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Gin Poles


> Really pleased I asked the question and thanks again to Tom for sending me
> the two articles.
> Supplementary question.
> What is the best way to add a rotator to the assembly?
> My original thought is to use a rotator cage a few feet from the ground to
> relieve the strain on the mast clamps.  The mast is made up of two 5m 2 
> inch
> ally poles and would be carrying a 5el for 6m or a rotary HF dipole, not a
> huge head load but enough for me!
> Is it possible to raise a 10m mast with a rotator installed at the bottom
> using the standard mast clamps on the rotator?
> Jim
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