[KL7AA] Fiberglass tubing for masts

[Mike Tibor]

It's generally no concern to mount most antennas directly on a metal mast. 
In fact, all of my antennas are mounted directly to steel masts.

If you want to go the Home Depot route, don't use PVC--use ABS.  However, 
you probably want to paint it for better UV protection.  ABS is much more 
rigid than PVC, although neither is nearly as good as steel.

I've used EMT and IMC conduit (basically light and medium weight metal 
conduit) from Home Depot, but even though it's steel it's still not nearly 
as strong as the push up masts from Frigid, and also harder to work with.

There are industrial metal sources that stock high strength aluminum and
steel tubing, and if you really want to go the DIY route that would be 
better than anything you could find at Home Depot.

I still strongly recommend a push up mast from Frigid.  The extra cost is 
nothing compared to the peace of mind when the wind kicks up to 50+ mph 
and you're wondering what your antennas will look like in the morning.

Mike


On Sat, 2 Aug 2014, Sean Jensen wrote:

> I've checked with Frigid North and they don't sell Fiberglass masts. My
> wife suggested outdoor UV resistant PVC from Lowes or Home Depot, I'm just
> concered with the duribility and stength when using PVC for an extended
> period of time outdoors.
>
> I was originally thinking about using aluminum pipe, but the reason for
> going with Fiberglass was so that I can mount vertical antennas in line and
> directly to the mast so that they won't be influenced by the metal in a
> mast and distort the recieve and transmit characteristics of the antenna.
>
> Is that a valid concern with a metal mast?
>
> Thanks,
> Sean P. Jensen
> KL2CO
> On Aug 2, 2014 3:27 AM, "Adam Booth KL3TX" <kl3tx at ak.net> wrote:
>
>> This might be a silly question but have you checked Home Depot or Lowe's?
>>  I
>> am sure there is some industrial supply shop in town that would have them,
>> just a matter of finding out where.  I know Frigid North sells plenty of
>> metal masts, tower setups but they've been quite spendy last time I looked.
>>
>> I'll keep my eyes open on my next hardware run and let you know if I find
>> anything.
>>
>> Take care
>> Adam Booth
>> KL3TX
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: KL7AA [mailto:kl7aa-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike Tibor
>> Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2014 1:03 AM
>> To: Sean Jensen
>> Cc: kl7aa at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [KL7AA] Fiberglass tubing for masts
>>
>> Any specific reason you want the mast to be fiberglass?  The reason I ask
>> is
>> that after it's all said and done it might be cheaper to buy a steel 3
>> section mast from Frigid North.  Each section is 10' and with a 1' overlap
>> you'll end up with about 28' of usable height.
>>
>> It will also be stronger than fiberglass, which could be an issue with the
>> multiple antennas you describe.
>>
>>
>> 73,
>> Mike
>> KL3HY
>>
>>
>> On Sat, 2 Aug 2014, Sean Jensen wrote:
>>
>>> Does anyone know where I can get a fiberglass mast like the one below? I
>>> would like to get one that's around 8 ft and another one at around 15 ft
>> or
>>> so.
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm going to be using them to hold up my arrow 2m/440 J-pole antennas
>> plus
>>> string a 20 meter dipole between them. They are going to be mounted to
>> wall
>>> mounts; again like the one below, near the top of my house's roof line.
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm assuming that the fiberglass masts will be stiff enough to handle
>> wind,
>>> ice, and the nasty weather we get up here.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 8? x 2? Tubing
>>>
>>> Per unit: $25.95
>>>
>>> I require: 2 units
>>>
>>> http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-ft2000-8
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Rohn wall mount 24?
>>>
>>> Per unit: $46.95
>>>
>>> I require: 2 units
>>>
>>> http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/roh-wm24d
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Sean P. Jensen
>>>
>>> KL2CO
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