[VHFcontesting] Masting . . .

[STeve Andre']

On Saturday 29 October 2005 15:51, S.J.Swanson wrote:
> KC8QVO, Steve said:
>
> " . . . Also, what does everyone recommend as a mast? Array Solutions sells
> some REALLY NICE PE certified  masts, but they are VERY expensive. I was
> thinking about going to the plumbing supply store and getting a 2"
> galvanized steel pipe. . . . "
>
> In a direct communication to Steve I had suggested 2 inch o.d. galvanized
> pipe which is 1.5 i.d. inch water pipe. The 2 inch nominal is actually 1
> and 7/16 inches which means that the walls are 1/4 inch or 7/32 inches. The
> stuff is bullet proof and a 15 foot spliced piece with two VHF and two HF
> beams survived a wind event that pulled my tower away from the house and
> twisted the two lower sections of tower. The antennas, top two sections of
> tower and the mast are still pristine and in use.

Our club has a member who loaned out a 2 inch stainless steel pipe for
a mast.  It's been *great*.  We assemble 5 antennas (6, 2, 222,432, 1296)
on it with the tower propped on a ladder then raise it.  Some of the early
attempts resulted in the 20ft mast bending.  Not so with the stainless steel
pipe.  I'm not sure how much it will cost for me to buy one myself, but I
plan on saving up for one if I have to, its been that good.

--STeve Andre'
wb8wsf    en82