[UK-CONTEST] Fibreglass Mast

[Ian White GM3SEK]

The main point is to pull and twist the sections as tight as possible so 
it won't even begin to slip. Everything else is backup.


Paul Beecham wrote:
>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.

Works for me too. The most important part seems to be the first 
stretched wrap of PVC tape, right where the smaller section comes out of 
the larger section. If the smaller section slips by even a millimetre, 
that thin stretched turn of tape will slide into the joint and jam it.

For a permanent job I'd go for Andy's solution of thin (warm) epoxy. 
Superglue works too, but there's a real risk that the glue will set 
before the joint has been pulled and twisted fully tight.


The other thing is that fibreglass whips need guying differently from 
metal poles or towers. My first instincts have usually been wrong and 
the guy points have had to be moved down.


-- 

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek