[Lowfer] Fiberglass Military tubing for Masting

[Stan, W1LE]

  Hello The Net:

Not all of the fiberglass military masting is created equal.

The recent Ebay reference may be pretty good. But I would like to see 
OD, and ID,  data to assess wall thickness.
Some are thicker wall than others.

My first batch I got, must have been thin wall.
Four sections stacked and leaned against a tree branch failed under its 
own weight.

The better fiberglass masting has a reinforcement ring on the bottom.

Another Ebay vendor offers reinforcement PVC pieces for the joints.

All fiberglass tubing will deteriorate in the sunlight due to the UV 
rays, some faster than others.
Be sure to use an exterior paint on them prior to erection. Flat black, 
OD, etc, latex paint is OK.
For used stuff, no idea how long it has been outside in the UV.

Another alternative are the MS-44 aluminum masting sets, 8 tubes per set 
for 40'.
The kit comes with guy rings, guy ropes, metal and wooden stakes, and a 
hammer
Sturdy stuff.  A section of MS-44 is 1-5/8" OD, with one end swaged down 
to fit the next tube,
60" working length and 6" of swaged end.

Another alternative is to find the tripod adapter on Ebay and use the
MS-44 for tripod legs as well as a mast coming out the top. Avoids the 
need for guy lines.
I use 1-3/8" OD galvi fencing rails for horizontal leg stiffeners
about 18" off the ground and weighted down.
I bore and cross bolt the leg sections together for added strength.

My HF vertical, a CC R-7000, is on one of these MS-44 tripod towers.

I will soon be putting up a ~ 30' fiberglass masting guyed tower for the 
W9AY loop
and I am considering a MS-44 mast tower for 45' and a 10' wire (round)  
top hat for 137/185 TX.


Stan, W1LE     Cape Cod     FN41sr       Awaiting hurricane Earle to visit.




ZZZZz