[VHFcontesting] Receiver hitch mast

[Tom Sneden, K6VCR]

OK, I see that there might be some interest in receiver hitch type masts. 
I have been working out a design for a tubular tower that will attach to a
receiver hitch.
My goals are that it nest at about 10ft, extend to at least 35ft, be
rotatable from the bottom, tilt over (in the 10 ft collapsed position) with
a winch, extend using a winch and not weigh over 350 pounds.
Basically a miniature version of an MA-40 with the rotating fixture.
It is do-able and I think the price point will be in the neighborhood of
$600.00 for parts.
I lack formal engineering education and would appreciate knowledgeable
opinions regarding wall thickness and type of aluminum tubing to use for the
mast. 
This thread has really opened my eyes to height issues and would like to
discuss the optimal vs. practical height issue as well.
Tubing is available in varying wall thicknesses and they need at least 3/16"
clearance between ID of outer tube vs. OD of inner tube. 

Before I ramble any further, would anyone else be interested in this thread?

Tom
K6VCR


-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dana Rawding
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 1:06 PM
To: VHF Contesting
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] A question of altitude

It was a Clark QTM telescoping mast.  However it was only 15ft and had  
the hefty price of $750.

I booked marked it myself as I though it would have been very cool to  
have for uwave hill topping.
http://www.clarkmasts.com/qtm_masts.php

Dana
N1OFZ

On Mar 7, 2008, at 3:22 PM, Nate Duehr wrote:

> You guys are making me wish I'd spent the $700 (I didn't have) on that
> pneumatic bumper mount mast -- some guy had it up on eBay a few weeks
> ago.  I think it went to 30'.
>
> Did anyone else see that and get tempted for their rover?
>
> LOL!  Great fun THAT would be... I know I'd be out in the rain  
> trying to
> pump the thing up, cussing it out while missing contacts... but I'd  
> come
> home and rationalize it all away as "fun"!
>
> Heh heh... must be something wrong with us rovers... mentally.  (GRIN)
>
> Nate WY0X
> _______________________________________________
> VHFcontesting mailing list
> VHFcontesting at contesting.com
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