[UK-CONTEST] Fibreglass Mast

[Darren G0TSM]

I have a 12M Spider pole and a half-dozen or so cheap 10M poles. I agree 
with Paul about using tape, although I left good quality PVC tape on my 
spider pole for a winter and when I removed it the glue of the tape had 
taken off the black coating of the Spider pole. For the last two winters 
I have just used self-amalgamating tape and that works perfectly. With 
my Spider pole the optional hose clamp kit is pretty much a no-no. 
Besides the mechanical damage that can occur just the weight of them are 
enough to bend the pole. One of my cheap poles was Araldite'd together, 
it was a lot of fuss doing it and was no better than taping the sections 
together.

73 Darren G0TSM






On 02/05/2011 11:33, Paul Beecham wrote:
> Dave et all,
> Slippage is a problem with these type of mast. I have 5 of them here 4
> x 18m and 1 x 25m. All have suffered and I have tried different
> methods to stop it.  Mechanical  methods at the joint, rivets, jubilee
> clips, pins, nuts and bolts stop the slippage but have caused
> premature failure at the joint when under load.
> What has worked for me is a good quality PVC electrical insulation
> tape wrapped carefully and stretched when applied for 4 inches on the
> upper part of the joint.  I tapered the wrap away from the joint so
> that the diameter of wrap is smaller at the joint and increases as it
> moves away. It is important not to tape over both parts at this stage
> when applying this wrap.  A good application of tape is necessary to
> stop itself  slipping on the pole . I then tape over both parts of the
> joint with a few turns and then finish off by covering all with a self
> amalgamating tape to keep the elements out. When finishing  a
> stretched tape wrap the last turn should be applied with out "stretch"
> and cut cleanly with a knife or scissors, this stops unravelling.
> Spiderbeam sell rubber sleeved jubilee clips but I have heard of
> failures using this method due to over tightening, but have not tried
> it my self.
>
> 73 Paul
> G6PZ
>
> On Mon, May 2, 2011 at 11:14 AM, CHRIS COLCLOUGH