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

[Lew Phelps K6LMP]

Another possibility to consider is Schedule 80 CPVC pipe, which is a  
LOT more rigid than Schedule 40   For example, 2" nominal Sked 80  
pipe has an external diameter of 2.375 inches and an internal  
diameter of 1.913 inches, which means a wall thickness of .231  
inches.   By comparison, Sked 40 pipe has the same external diameter,  
but an inside diameter of 2.031 inches, which means a wall thickness  
of only 0.154 inches.  In other words, Schedule 80 pipe has walls  
that are half again as thick as Schedule 40.  That makes a big  
difference in mechanical strength and rigidity.

Lew Phelps  K6LMP
On Jul 19, 2005, at 11:27 AM, John Townend wrote:

> 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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>
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