[Elecraft] Mast question

[Wes]

A number of years ago I purchased two 20' lengths of 2" square, 1/8" wall 
fiberglass tubing for the boom of an LPD array that I never built.  They have 
been laying outside on the ground in the Arizona sun since then.  They are still 
as smooth as the day I brought them home.  Contrast that to some of the mil 
surplus fiberglass tubing sections that have gone in the trash in a shorter 
time.  The good stuff is made by Strongwell and is used for handrail systems.

On 5/27/2016 9:42 AM, GRANT YOUNGMAN wrote:
> I’ve tried fiberglass poles (from one of the vendors mentioned here, supposedly with UV inhibitors) for permanent installation.  Didn’t work out well.  After a couple of years, the push-up poles started to break down anyway and couldn’t be handled without gloves unless I wanted nasty fiberglass fuzz imbedded in my hands.  They ended up going out in the trash.
>
> There are certainly a lot of other options, and some have been suggested here.  I finally ended up using a Spiderbeam aluminum push-up mast.  These are very high quality products, which could easily be house bracketed to eliminate the need for guys, and much more suited to permanent installation.  My mast (a 30-something ft HD version) was supported by a ground mounted rotator and guys, and held a Hex beam before I had to pull it down to sell my QTH.   Not the same application, obviously, but an excellent quality product, and not outlandishly expensive.
>
> YMMV
>
> Grant NQ5T
> K3 #2091, KX3 #8342
>
>
>
>
>> Fiberglass poles such as those from Spiderbeam or Max-Gain Systems (
>> mgs4u.com <http://mgs4u.com/>) won't support very much load without guys
>>> Look into the Spiderbeam fiberglass poles.  Quite sturdy and all kinds of
>>> lengths.  Well within your budget.
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