++++++++++++++++++++ See Also Portable Antenna Notes ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001 08:00:20 -0600 From: "KC0IFL" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Extend-a-Mast for Portable Antenna I have one of the MFJ masts. I really like it. It seems to be a lot like the DK9SQ, maybe not quite as nice. It workes FB. I did have to replace the tip after it fell over and cracked the whip on a concrete surface. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a fishing rod repair kit and put the little end eyelet on the tip. I like it even better now. Ron E KCŘIFL - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles Greene" To: "Ken Lotts" ; ; Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2001 4:54 AM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Extend-a-Mast for Portable Antenna > At 08:41 PM 12/18/2001 -0700, Ken Lotts wrote: > > I've got one too and I can endorse it. I saw a new one from MFJ in the Dec > QST. Don't know anything about it except it is 33' and is $80 vice $100 > for the DK9SQ. If you want to go that lenght, it might be worthwhile > checking out. > > >I really like my DK9SQ collapsible fiberglass mast.. It extends to 33 feet > >and collapses down to about 4 feet (and is very strong). I have used it to > >support portable antennas several times and I wish I could afford to buy > >more of them! A close second (for a fraction of the price) is the ever > >famous 20 ft B'nM Black WidowR Crappie Rod. My portable K2 station uses a > >DK9SQ in the center and two black widows at either end (with #24 wire) in a > >doublet arrangement. There are a ton of ways to use these masts.. So many > >experiments, so little time! > > > > > >DK9SQ Mast source: > >http://www.bright.net/~kanga/kanga/ > > > >B'nM Black WidowR Crappie Rod source: > >http://www.basspro-shops.com > > > >Ken aa7jc > > > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: owner-elecraft at qth.net [mailto:owner-elecraft at qth.net]On Behalf Of > >lbailey at aep.com > >Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 4:38 PM > >To: elecraft at qth.net > >Subject: [Elecraft] Extend-a-Mast for Portable Antenna > > > > > >I need a collapseable mast/extension for using my K2 in portable > >operation. Camping, hotel rooms, etc. > > > >Is there something I can buy at my local sporting goods (Academy)? > >73, Lynn, K5AVJ...K2#1411 ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001 08:00:20 -0600 From: "KC0IFL" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Extend-a-Mast for Portable Antenna I have one of the MFJ masts. I really like it. It seems to be a lot like the DK9SQ, maybe not quite as nice. It workes FB. I did have to replace the tip after it fell over and cracked the whip on a concrete surface. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a fishing rod repair kit and put the little end eyelet on the tip. I like it even better now. Ron E KCŘIFL - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles Greene" To: "Ken Lotts" ; ; Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2001 4:54 AM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Extend-a-Mast for Portable Antenna > At 08:41 PM 12/18/2001 -0700, Ken Lotts wrote: > > I've got one too and I can endorse it. I saw a new one from MFJ in the Dec > QST. Don't know anything about it except it is 33' and is $80 vice $100 > for the DK9SQ. If you want to go that lenght, it might be worthwhile > checking out. > > >I really like my DK9SQ collapsible fiberglass mast.. It extends to 33 feet > >and collapses down to about 4 feet (and is very strong). I have used it to > >support portable antennas several times and I wish I could afford to buy > >more of them! A close second (for a fraction of the price) is the ever > >famous 20 ft B'nM Black WidowR Crappie Rod. My portable K2 station uses a > >DK9SQ in the center and two black widows at either end (with #24 wire) in a > >doublet arrangement. There are a ton of ways to use these masts.. So many > >experiments, so little time! > > > > > >DK9SQ Mast source: > >http://www.bright.net/~kanga/kanga/ > > > >B'nM Black WidowR Crappie Rod source: > >http://www.basspro-shops.com > > > >Ken aa7jc > > > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: owner-elecraft at qth.net [mailto:owner-elecraft at qth.net]On Behalf Of > >lbailey at aep.com > >Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 4:38 PM > >To: elecraft at qth.net > >Subject: [Elecraft] Extend-a-Mast for Portable Antenna > > > > > >I need a collapseable mast/extension for using my K2 in portable > >operation. Camping, hotel rooms, etc. > > > >Is there something I can buy at my local sporting goods (Academy)? > >73, Lynn, K5AVJ...K2#1411 ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001 11:05:34 -0800 From: lhlousek Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Extend-a-Mast for Portable Antenna A 20' telescoping mast (fishing pole) that collapses to 48" and weighs 1.5 lb is available from www.wr6wr.com for $20. A 14' telescoping mast (fishing pole) that collapses to 14" inches and weighs just a few ounces is available from www.calbelas.com for $25. Both of these work well for hanging wire antennas out hotel windows. If you don't extend the last, flimsiest, sections they can be used to support the center of a doublet. Lou W7DZN +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001 13:28:00 -0800 From: "Bob Tellefsen" Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Extend-a-Mast for Portable Antenna If you go to a good hardware store and pick up a 15 ft telescoping pool cleaning handle for about $20-22, you have a nice 34 ft (approximately) antenna support. I use this combo here. The cleaning handle is two telescoping sections, thin-wall aluminum tubing. The fiberglass pole exactly slips over the smaller diameter tubing section of the handle. Makes a great portable mast. I admit, at around 7.5 ft long, the handles aren't backpack equipment, but for a travelling setup, very handy. 73, Bob N6WG ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2001 11:02:35 -0500 From: Doug Netherton Subject: [Elecraft] Portable Masts I have used the 10 foot x 1.25 inch "top rail" sections for chain link fencing as a mast for putting up a dipole made from two ham sticks. One end of each section is compressed for several inches so that the bottom of one slips over the top of another quickly. More than two will require guys, but two sections can be tied to a fence post easily by one person. Four would make a great mast for field day. I've seen them in green, black and plain galvanized. Doug, VE3MCF K2 #1322 - ---- Reflections of the Elecraft Reflector 300 + topic files at: http://www.qsl.net/ve3mcf/elecraft_reflect/index.html http://members.rogers.comt/ve3mcf/elecraft_reflect/index.html ++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2001 09:36:50 -0700 From: "Bruzenak George" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Portable Masts I've thought about how to erect the surplus mast by myself also - (have to wait until the Colorado weather improves a bit before trying it for real). The antenna consists of 12 ea 3' pieces and comes with guy rings, guy ropes and stakes. It also has a tiltable base that is pounded into the ground. Each of the antenna mast pieces slide onto the one below. I plan to use this while out and about in my fifth wheel trailer and will use the goose neck of the fifth as the second anchor point. Here's what I figure for doing this: After setting up the trailer, I'll pound the tiltable base in directly below the front of the goose neck - making sure that it would be vertical. Then assemble the ham sticks, connect the coax. The anchor point on the goose neck will be section of pipe (about 2" long) fastened to the goose neck, and the antenna will slide through the pipe. The first couple of sections will be easy since they'll be at eyeball height. Raise each section from the base, insert another section - and repeat this until done. The two anchor points, one in the ground, the other anchored to the goose neck, (about 5' off the ground) should provide enough stability for the antenna in all but the stiffest winds. I might also use the guy rings at the 20' or 26' mark just in case. As the mast goes up I'll tape or tie wrap the coax to the mast so it's not flopping around. In my minds eye this should be easy. We'll see. 73 de George K0CNT ps. By the way, the mast is camo'd -- hopefully that would help keep the curious away. :-)) +++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2001 16:48:33 -0600 From: lbailey at aep.com Subject: [Elecraft] Watch Out for those Electrical Power Lines! All of the msgs. flowing about portable masts & fishing rod extension reminded me of the hazard of electrical power lines. The potential for a disasterous accident exists should a ham raise his portable mast into a power line or stick his portable antenna outside his hotel window & dangle it into a 12 kV distribution circuit.......nobody wants to have 30,000 amps fault current coming anywhere near them! Remember, overhead power line conductors are bare...... I've got 31 years service with an electric utility & most of the general public do not know that power line fault current will cook them like a hot dog in a second or two. Sorry to be so blunt, but I'd rather see you in the logbook than the obit. Be safe & enjoy your hamming over the holidays! 73, Lynn, K5AVJ, K2-#1411 +++++++++++++++++++