Return to VK3YE antenna projects

Portable antenna masts ** DISCOUNT SQUID POLE OFFER - AUSTRALIA ONLY ** Go to Haverford Squid Poles and enter VK3YE as the discount code for 10% off online orders (poles only) One of the most important things for portable operators to consider is how to get (and keep) your wire antenna up. You might be lucky and have, along with a good throwing arm, a tree with favourable branches. Or maybe favourable weather conditions and a kite. But if you can't guarantee these then the most sure fire way of getting a signal on the air is with some sort of telescoping mast light enough to be carried. Mast material is important. Non-metal masts are lighter in weight and do not interact with wire antennas even if they are run close or parallel to the mast. These are best for HF wire antennas. Aluminium masts are heavier. But they are stronger. And they can support small beams for VHF/UHF. That makes them the better choice for these frequencies. The videos show four types of masts The 5.4m telescoping mast is ideal for pedestrian mobile antennas like the Wadetenna, quarter wave verticals for 14 - 28 MHz, or where you need to take a mast in travel luggage. The 9 metre is a good general purpose portable mast light enough to carry by hand and great for supporting verticals, dipoles and end-feds. The much stronger 12 metre can still be hand-carried but is heavier and less convenient to take. Finally there's the aluminium mast useful for VHF/UHF work.   Compact telescoping poles: how good for portable antennas?   Comparing a 9m fishing pole with a Spiderbeam 12m mast   Aluminium mast ideal for small VHF yagis   Using velcro straps for mounting the mast   Why you need a sand spike   What can happen if using a mast to help a kite antenna (and the support string is too slack)   ... and what to do with the leftovers when it does   What if you don't have a telescoping pole? One option is to use a kite supported wire. Or you can just use the sinker, fishing line, tree, throw trick. This is potentially dangerous in a busy public park so you might throw something more benign like a tennis ball. More in the videos below.     Disclosure: I receive a small commission from items purchased through links on this site. Items were chosen for likely usefulness and a satisfaction rating of 4/5 or better.

Books by VK3YE Ham Radio Get Started (USA) Australian Ham Radio Handbook (Aust) Hand-carried QRP Antennas More Hand-carried QRP Antennas 99 things you can do with Amateur Radio Getting back into Amateur Radio Minimum QRP Illustrated International Ham Radio Dictionary Make your Passion Pay (ebook writing)   All material on this site (c) Peter Parker VK3YE 1997 - 2024. Material may not be reproduced without permission. Read privacy policy.