Elecraft

K3

Classic

List

Threaded

9 messages Options

Phil LaMarche-2

K3

I'll be using a W5GI mystery antenna for my vacation in North Carolina. Can
someone recommend a portable push up pole that I can use for the center
insulator and then come down in an inverted V Thanks

Phil

Philip LaMarche
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.
<http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/> www.instantgourmetspices.com

www.w9dvm.com <http://www.w9dvm.com/>
800-395-7795 pin 02
727-944-3226
FAX 727-937-8834
NASFT 30210

K3 #1605

CCA 98 00827
CRA 1701

W9DVM

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Ken Kopp-3

Re: K3

Phil,

MFJ sells a push-up "plastic" pole that's pretty long,
-but- it's "wimpy" at the upper end. I suppose it can
be used partially extended. It's good for supporting a
vertical wire taped to the pole or actually hung inside.

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP\
ElecraftCovers@rfwavenet
http://tinyurl.com/7lm3m5
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

w4nhj

Re: K3

In reply to this post by Phil LaMarche-2

Not a push up mast, but inexpensive.
http://www.freewebs.com/workingstiff/pgtwoofmastchoices.htm

Frank - W4NHJ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil LaMarche" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Elecraft_List'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 11:24 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3

> I'll be using a W5GI mystery antenna for my vacation in North Carolina.
> Can
> someone recommend a portable push up pole that I can use for the center
> insulator and then come down in an inverted V Thanks
>
> Phil
>
>
> Philip LaMarche
> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.
> <http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/> www.instantgourmetspices.com
>
> www.w9dvm.com <http://www.w9dvm.com/>
> 800-395-7795 pin 02
> 727-944-3226
> FAX 727-937-8834
> NASFT 30210
>
> K3 #1605
>
> CCA 98 00827
> CRA 1701
>
> W9DVM
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

P.B. Christensen

Re: K3

In reply to this post by Phil LaMarche-2

> Can someone recommend a portable push up pole that I can use for the
> center
> insulator and then come down in an inverted V Thanks Phil

I have an interest in a well-designed telescoping pole as well, preferably
20-25 ft on a stable tripod.

In thinking this through for a while, I've also decided on an inverted "V"
for field use. The Vee will be fed with 300-ohm ladder line and line length
will be adjusted pursuant to W5DXP's data to present a near 1:1 VSWR on all
bands from 40m-10m

http://www.w5dxp.com/notuner.htm

In doing so, I've decided to prepare pre-cut line lengths with banana plug
connections in lengths of 16', 8', 4', 2', and 1'. Changing line length
does not change the 300-ohm VSWR, but it radically affects the end-of-line Z
and the 50-ohm VSWR. And so, by manipulating these five plug-in line
sections, a near 1:1 50-ohm VSWR is possible without a tuner and system
losses are minimized. A 1:1 current balun will form the transition between
the switched ladder line sections and coax.

I thought about using the Budidipole system or one of its variants, and
finally decided that I could attain better 40m-10m efficiency in the field
by (1) changing line length; and (2) using a trap-less half-wave antenna
length on the lowest frequency -- and make simple "plug-in" changes on the
ground rather than by changing taps up on a telescoping mast. Moreover,
since there's a need to tether a 20-25 ft. telescoping mast anyway, it makes
sense to use the Vee as two of the three guys.

Paul, W9AC

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3

In reply to this post by Phil LaMarche-2

Phil,

Check out the telescoping masts at www.tmastco.com. I have the 32 ft.
heavy duty pole and use it for hanging an inverted V antenna. The tip
is heavy enough so you can realize the full height potential (unlike
some other 'wimpy' poles. Of course, if extreme lightweight is part of
the criteria, you might want ot consider one of the lighter weight poles.

73,
Don W3FPR

Phil LaMarche wrote:

> I'll be using a W5GI mystery antenna for my vacation in North Carolina. Can
> someone recommend a portable push up pole that I can use for the center
> insulator and then come down in an inverted V Thanks
>
> Phil
>
>
> Philip LaMarche
> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.
> <http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/> www.instantgourmetspices.com
>
> www.w9dvm.com <http://www.w9dvm.com/>
> 800-395-7795 pin 02
> 727-944-3226
> FAX 727-937-8834
> NASFT 30210
>
> K3 #1605
>
> CCA 98 00827
> CRA 1701
>
> W9DVM
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.13.18/2243 - Release Date: 07/17/09 06:08:00
>
>

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3

In reply to this post by Phil LaMarche-2

Phil,

One source: www.spiderbeam.us/index.php?cat=c2_Fiberglass%20Poles.html

For a wire antenna I'd probably skip the top couple of sections since
the smallest one is 8 mm (~ 5/16") diameter but you'd still get about
32' using the bottom 10 sections of the 40' pole. Get the clamp kit
to keep the pole from collapsing.

Another option is the MFJ-1906 (32'):
www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1906

If you were going to "push up" either pole, you would need a solid
base to be able to extend one section at a time.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil LaMarche
> Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 11:24 AM
> To: 'Elecraft_List'
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3
>
>
> I'll be using a W5GI mystery antenna for my vacation in North
> Carolina. Can someone recommend a portable push up pole that
> I can use for the center insulator and then come down in an
> inverted V Thanks
>
> Phil
>
>
> Philip LaMarche
> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.
> <http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/> www.instantgourmetspices.com
>
> www.w9dvm.com <http://www.w9dvm.com/>
> 800-395-7795 pin 02
> 727-944-3226
> FAX 727-937-8834
> NASFT 30210
>
> K3 #1605
>
> CCA 98 00827
> CRA 1701
>
> W9DVM
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Grant Youngman

Re: K3

In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen

There seem to be a lot of choices. Also look at Max-Gain (http://www.mgs4u.com/index.html
). Wide range of options, reasonably priced, high quality stuff.
You can custom configure a mast, if you want a stouter than normal top
section.

Grant/NQ5T

On Jul 17, 2009, at 10:57 AM, Paul Christensen wrote:

>> Can someone recommend a portable push up pole that I can use for the
>> center
>> insulator and then come down in an inverted V Thanks Phil
>

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

w7aqk

Re: K3

In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen

Hi Paul and All,

I would suggest you take a look at the tripod/mast combination that Vern
Wright, W6MMA sells. I used this several times now to erect the portable
beam Vern also sells. The tripod is quite stable, but still one set of guys
is almost a must, since any amount of wind will play havoc with an
installation like this. With an inverted vee attached, you probably
wouldn't need guys, but again it's better to have some way of stabilizing
everything.

Last winter, at the Quartzsite, AZ hamfest, Vern and I both had an
installation set up like the one you see in the picture in the link I have
given you below. I think you know Vern, and if you do, you know he is
"famous" for fabricating some really neat, quality stuff. The tripod/mast
combination is no exception. It is far superior to the similar combination
sold by the Buddipole folks. The tripod is actually intended to be used
with heavy lighting equipment, so it is really stout. Vern mated this with
a mast arrangement he has modified to get to the 20 foot plus height. It
all erects quickly, and attaching guy lines is a breeze using a simple "O"
ring. See the link below.

http://www.superantennas.com/html/21_foot_mast.html

For inverted vee setups in a portable situation, I still like the Wonderpole
the best of all the collapsible poles (www.wonderpole.com). I have used one
of these for several years now, and I think it is a great thing to have.
The pricetag ($250) scares a lot of people off, but this is a 40 ft. pole
with a lot of substance. A couple of friends of mine here locally ordered
one immediately after they saw mine, and saw how solid it is. The top
section is still 3/4 inch in diameter, but everything collapses down to an 8
ft. package. I have several of the fishing/kite poles, and they work O.K.
too, but they are very skimpy at the top. The best of those types is the
one sold by Jackite, as it has a much more substantive top section, although
it's nowhere close to the Wonderpole. These go up to just over 30 feet, but
with the all of these have, you are only getting about 25 feet up at best.
The Wonderpole has some flex too, but not nearly as severe, and it can
easily be stabilized with 3 string guys to preserve it's height. Getting
the extra 10 or 15 feet may seem expensive, but the Wonderpole is extremely
solid, and will probably last forever. It's really tough!

I guess while I'm at it, I will describe one other option. At Dayton a
couple of years back, there was a guy selling collapsible aluminum flagpoles
out in the swap area. One of them extends to 25 feet. This uses pushbutton
locks for each section, and is very solid. I picked mine up for $200, and
it gives me a lot of options. Both this pole, and my Wonderpole, fit nicely
into a gadget I picked up at one of the RV shows, which slides into my
trailer hitch. That really provides all the support I need for it,
depending on what I put on top. This pole is an excellent alternative to
Vern's tripod/mast combo. The beam mounts nicely on top, and everything is
pretty stable just that easily. I've used small guys though, just as
additional caution.

With this combination of masts, I can put up beams for HF, VHF, etc., and a
good dipole or inverted vee using the Wonderpole. The flagpole and trailer
hitch support makes a perfect tool for VHF roving if you are into that kind
of thing. I can probably send you pictures of any, or all, of this stuff if
you are really interested.

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Christensen" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Elecraft_List'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 8:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3

>> Can someone recommend a portable push up pole that I can use for the
>> center
>> insulator and then come down in an inverted V Thanks Phil
>
> I have an interest in a well-designed telescoping pole as well, preferably
> 20-25 ft on a stable tripod.
>
> In thinking this through for a while, I've also decided on an inverted "V"
> for field use. The Vee will be fed with 300-ohm ladder line and line
> length
> will be adjusted pursuant to W5DXP's data to present a near 1:1 VSWR on
> all
> bands from 40m-10m
>
> http://www.w5dxp.com/notuner.htm
>
> In doing so, I've decided to prepare pre-cut line lengths with banana plug
> connections in lengths of 16', 8', 4', 2', and 1'. Changing line length
> does not change the 300-ohm VSWR, but it radically affects the end-of-line
> Z
> and the 50-ohm VSWR. And so, by manipulating these five plug-in line
> sections, a near 1:1 50-ohm VSWR is possible without a tuner and system
> losses are minimized. A 1:1 current balun will form the transition
> between
> the switched ladder line sections and coax.
>
> I thought about using the Budidipole system or one of its variants, and
> finally decided that I could attain better 40m-10m efficiency in the field
> by (1) changing line length; and (2) using a trap-less half-wave antenna
> length on the lowest frequency -- and make simple "plug-in" changes on the
> ground rather than by changing taps up on a telescoping mast. Moreover,
> since there's a need to tether a 20-25 ft. telescoping mast anyway, it
> makes
> sense to use the Vee as two of the three guys.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

David Cutter

Re: K3

In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen

For a tripod I've used a small, inverted rotary washing line. These come
complete with quite a lot of very strong rope and a packing bag. Remove the
rope to use as guys for other, larger antenna systems. 3mm poly cord is
easily strong enough to guy a fishing pole using tent pegs. You might also
look at loudspeaker stands. To stabilise them, I've used a bucket full of
rocks hung from the centre.

A lighter weight solution I've used is a hinge arrangement with a spike
pressed into the ground all made from 15mm copper plumbing pipe. This is
assembled to a plastic pipe into which the fishing pole is positioned.
Makes for a tidy all-in-one support. Photos on request.

David
G3UNA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Christensen" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Elecraft_List'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 4:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3