[Ham-Mac] PVC as a Mast for 2-meter antenna

[John Townend]

I have used a fibre glass mast of approx 1.75 inch diam for several 
years. It is far superior to PVC and almost as sturdy as a metal mast 
with far less weight. I have it guyed and it supports an 80/40 dipole,  
20m and 17m slopers - they all act as guys.   Fibre glass tube is 
readily available in the UK so sure it will be obtainable on the WC. 
Another option is pick up a damaged yacht mast from a boat yard - or 
new but they are expensive!

73, John, G3BBD - N3YZR
On Tuesday, Jul 19, 2005, at 18:24 Europe/London, Phil Stripling wrote:

> Scott Clausen [scottclausen at mac.com] wrote:
>> At my old QTH I had trees for hanging antennas. At the new QTH I need
>> a mast to attach a 2-meter antenna to the house. I'm looking at
>> mounting either a parelectronics omni or a W5ncd GP-2 2-meter antenna.
>>
>> Has anyone used PVC for a mast or is it to fragile? I'm also thinking
>> of trying a painter pole but wonder if it is also a little too
>> fragile. My QTH is very about a mile off the Straits of Juan De Fuca
>> and high winds can be an issue on occasion.
>
> I have used Schedule 40 PVC for banners in a place with winds gusting 
> to
> 75mph. I would not say it's to fragile, but I do think it's too 
> flexible.
>
> For helpful information, I'd like to know your proposed height and 
> whether
> you'll do guying and such. I'm not familiar with the weather there -- 
> any
> lightning? Limitations on getting the mast to Juan de Fuca?
>
> If you can guy and if the ground is soft enough, I'd suggest conduit 
> pipe.
> Drive a 2 or 3-foot length of rebar into the ground halfway, put the
> conduit over the rebar, then guy it. Metal masts have their problem, of
> course, but the strength is there.
>
> -- 
> Phil Stripling
> The Civilized Explorer
> http://www.cieux.com/
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