Non conductive masts. What do you use?

[Mudfoot]

Frequently, you hear Elmer's always recommending the use of a non conductive mast with vertical antennas. Also, don't run the coax forward and down the mast.

I agree with both statements and my analizer agrees. Just about every manufacturer of antennas, though don't mention this. Their instructions just mention the "mast" and usually depict the coax running forward and down the mast.

I think I read one manufacturer mention using a non conductive mast. I've read a few that said, if using a "conductive" mast, don't let it stick up past the boom.

Well, why doesn't anyone make and sell these "non conductive" masts. I think it has something to do with lawyers. I'm just looking for other options beside my fiberglass shovel handle. I've been looking for a Douglas Fir Closet rod. Most common, are 1-7/8", but I can't find any around here. Found one online, but shipping is prohibitive. I've also thought about using a 4' section of surplus military antenna mast. They also use them to erect cammo nets over equipment and positions. I believe they are 2" and stout.

I thought about carbon fiber pipe. The specimens I found online were sweet, but $$$$. My intended purposes for such a mast are only for 6, 2 and 440.

If anyone has something better, or an idea, I'd sure like to compile a list of things that would work.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Max Gain Systems has fibreglass tubing of various sizes. You could get a couple pieces that telescope inside each other and epoxy them to increase the wall thickness. Not real cheap however.

https://mgs4u.com/telescoping-fiberglass-tube-and-rod-price-list-2/

Another possibility is old vaulting poles.

 

[Mudfoot]

Like a pole vaulting pole? I like the gluing idea.

 

[midnight special]

i used the bottom section from a realistic crossbow fiberglass antenna for my mast on 2 meter and 70 cm verticle beams,, works fine for me,,, maybe look for old a99 imax 2000 for the bottom sections,,,,,

 

[6meter]

Of the options mentioned the military surplus sections are probably the most practical considering price and availability.

All of my yagi's are mounted horizontal so haven't had a project like your dual polarity 2 meter antenna.

 

[Road Squawker]

You are not going to notice any measurable difference between a conductive and a non conductive mast.

Something to think about......

is this antenna DC grounded?
most vhf/uhf antennas are.

 

[fourstringburn]

Also, don't run the coax forward and down the mast.

Makes sense,

If the coax was choked off at the feed point, it shouldn't make a difference after that.

 

[Mudfoot]

You are not going to notice any measurable difference between a conductive and a non conductive mast.

Something to think about......

is this antenna DC grounded?
most vhf/uhf antennas are.

My analyzer disagrees. Which mast will yield the most effective pattern, the conductive or non conductive mast? I can bond my shield at shack entrance. I run my coax out the back of the yagi.

 

[binrat]

My analyzer disagrees. Which mast will yield the most effective pattern, the conductive or non conductive mast? I can bond my shield at shack entrance. I run my coax out the back of the yagi.

My analyzer would agree as well. I tried various configurations with my portable vhf yagi. Coax out the back produced the lowest results.
On a side note. Never use a carbon fibre collapsible fish pole for a mast for a vhf EDZ. SWR sky rocketed to over 5:1 on analyzer.

 

[Mudfoot]

This antenna definitely does not like the coax anywhere in front of the DE's. My other end mounted dual band yagi didn't like it either. My fiberglass mast certainly calmed things down and made tuning easier.

 

[fourstringburn]

I use a 43 ft fiberglass telescoping mast by MGS for my ZS3BKW wire antenna.

They're not cheap but are well constructed and have heavy duty thumb locking levers for each section. MFJ sells a similar one. I wouldn't waste your time with the cheaper ones that use hose clamps.

They so have shorter lengths available.

https://mgs4u.com/product/mk-6-series-43-3ft-masts/

 

[Mudfoot]

I've been eyeballing something like that for camping. I was wondering about the MFJ ones.

 

[Mudfoot]

I like Captain Kilowatts idea of the vaulting poles. Those things have to be strong.

 

[binrat]

I've been eyeballing something like that for camping. I was wondering about the MFJ ones.

I'm a portable op for a few years now. SOTA or camping, field day type of thing. I use a SOTA beams 10 mr mast shortened some for most days. But on accassion, a 9' avalanche probe as a mast with a inverted 20 mr dipole yields good results. If I'm using the avi probe you know there is very high winds, and no soil at the summit.

 

[Mudfoot]

What's the highest elevation you been? I don't have any true summits in Ohio. I've wanted to go to the highest elevation in Ohio one of these days, be best I can do. Uncle Sam sent me to a one week conference in Colorado Springs. I even scored a rental van. I'd skip out a few times and drive up on Pikes Peak. All I had with me was an old HT. I was able to make some nice contacts. Always thought it'd be cool to live up there. Put me a big beam up and "get down".