[Milsurplus] MS-44 Mast Sections Used As a Vertical Antenna

[D C *Mac* Macdonald]

There is an insulated base section that can be
occasionally found that is designed to enable
use of AN/GRA-4 mast sections as a vertical.
I have had mine for close to 40 years.

If you wish to use these sections as a vertical,
I expect that PENETROX or other such product
would help to maintain electrical continuity from
section to section.  You could also jumper the
sections with some other conductor.

Mac, K2GKK/5
Oklahoma City



----Original Message Follows----
From: "Paul Alexander" <paul.alexander10 at gmail.com>
To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Milsurplus] MS-44 Mast Sections Used As a Vertical Antenna
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2006 18:54:11 -0400

All--

I have a mast made of MS-44 sections, which as best I can determine is
part of the GRA-4 antenna system.  The mast sections are thick walled
aluminum about 45 inches long and 1-3/4 inch OD.  A slip joint is
formed by an additional 4 or 5 inches of a machined slip coupling in
the end of each section.  Please note that these are not the thin
walled aluminum with swaged couplings that are often seen.

This mast was design to support a wire antenna, such as a dipole or
similar.  As such, the mast is not designed to have RF flowing through
the mast sections and the couplings between sections are somewhat
loose.  Whatever electrical connection that exists between sections is
likely quite intermittent and noisy.

My question is:  Has anybody found a way to make a firm electrical
connection between the mast sections that would allow the use of this
mast as a vertical antenna?  I need to change my antenna configuration
from a dipole to a vertical and would like to use this mast as it is a
very well made unit.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thank-you!

Paul Alexander
WB9IPA
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