[Lowfer] Time to build a new antenna - Insulator question

[Stan, W1LE]

I have found that the military fiberglass masting sections to be 
woefully weak.
Unless painted, they will deteriorate with UV.

A number of Ebay vendors sell them.  Some sell reinforcing kits for the 
joints.

One variety has a reinforing fiberglass ring at the joint and it is a 
good start at reinforcing.
Others have no reinforcing ring and can not support their own weight, 
outside in the mild wind.

For beefy fiberglass materials consider Strongwell Pultruded stock.
Mill lengths are about 20'. Not inexpensive, but very durable.

Be sure to paint any bare fiberglass, if exposed to the elements and UV.
House paint latex primer and final coat works wonders.

My favorite military masting are the MS-44,  66" Al sections and 
accessories.
Just add a insulating PVC section where needed.

Stan, W1LE      Cape Cod      FN41sr




On 4/16/2010 12:53 PM, Mike Staines wrote:
> I have found that some of the better military surplus stores often carry 5 foot lengths of fiberglass rod that the military uses for antenna supports. The rods fit together like vacuum cleaner rods.
> I have seen them as cheap as $1 for each 5 foot length although $3-$5 a length seems to be the going rate.
>
> Mike
> WM1KE
>
>