[KL7AA] Fiberglass tubing for masts

Sun Aug 3 21:40:50 EDT 2014

Please note that once you run a transmission line down the fiberglass pole
it might as well be a metallic pole.  The most common application for
fiberglass is for satellite antennas on azimuth and elevation rotors where
the transmission line dangles off of the back end of the antenna.  There is
certainly nothing wrong with fiberglass pole but it is generally not as
strong as steel and is more floppy.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Tibor [mailto:tibor at tibor.org] 
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2014 11:30 AM
To: Sean Jensen
Cc: kl7aa at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [KL7AA] Fiberglass tubing for masts

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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