[Antennas] Fiberglass Poles

[SECOPSYS@aol.com]

The MFJ pole sounds (by the telephone description they gave me) very much 
like the DK9SQ fiberglass pole ...www.qsl.net/dk9sq/.   I have several of the 
DK9SQ poles, and for fun built a 20 mtr version of the MOXON yesterday using 
22 gauge stranded wire to create the wire MOXON elements.   I used the "top 4 
portions" from 4 poles to create the "X". Each of the "top 4 portions" is 
just under 13 feet when extended.   To get extra length (for  20 mtrs it 
seems about 15 feet is needed  for each of the 4 legs of the 'X")and  for 
strength where attaching the poles to the vertical mast, the center of the 
"X" is made with two 5 feet pieces of CPVC that had an outside diameter 
slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the fattest fibergalss pole 
section.  Yes, the poles did bend somewhat under their own weight once it was 
horizontal in the air.....the 24 gauge wire weight seemed insignificant.   I 
attached the wire element to the fiberglass using rubber bands (hey, this is 
a potential Field Day style antenna!!)  I used RG8x.  I wound a choke (6 
turns, 4" dia.) and attached the choke to my vertical mast and left a few 
feet of coax going out to the driven element of the MOXON.  The antenna is 
currently only about 12 feet off the ground.  I threw up a 20 mtr wire 
vertical with 8 ground radials as a reference antenna.  The MOXON is about 3 
to 5 S units better than the vertical in the aimed direction !!  

I learned a very important corollary to a well documented HAM RADIO 
principle.  Not only do "antenna work much better when put up in ice, snow, 
or rain" but they also do quite well when built if the outside temperature is 
greater than 97 degrees F. !!!

I would think the full 33 foot poles with centers lengthened and strengthened 
would work for 40 mtrs just as my half scale (20 mtr) version did.

Please let me know what progress you make.

73,  Richard  K3IPK