[QRP-L] OT: 40' mast on Ebay dirt cheap.

[Stephen Przepiora]

Just to let you all know, there is a guy selling 40' fiberglass
military mast with carrying case with a buy it now price of $25.00. He
also has a "Military Nylon Rope Tie Down Kit" that has two 50' ropes
(so what) and six velcro straps with rings you can use as guying
connectors.

Link to store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Military-Surplus-Junk

Shipping from PA to NY was going to be $12.00

I know this is not lightweight stuff, but some of us do not backpack
in and operate far from the vehicle :)

Steve - KC2QXE
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[Thom LaCosta]

On Fri, 12 Oct 2007, Stephen Przepiora wrote:

> Just to let you all know, there is a guy selling 40' fiberglass
> military mast with carrying case with a buy it now price of $25.00. He
> also has a "Military Nylon Rope Tie Down Kit" that has two 50' ropes
> (so what) and six velcro straps with rings you can use as guying
> connectors.

I bought a similar kit at a local hamfest...I paid more than the above, but
didn't pay shipping...so it was close to a draw....also got two base plates that
kinda fan out, and a neat top hat for mutliple wires.

>
> I know this is not lightweight stuff, but some of us do not backpack
> in and operate far from the vehicle :)

Mine was heavy enough that I had a bit of difficulty getting it back to the
car...and several folks commented that they too were winded after getting theirs
last year.

Thom,EIEIO
Email, Internet, Electronic Information Officer

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[Jim Sheldon]

 Just in case you guys wonder where this stuff came from, it was used to
hold up military camouflage netting.  Those paddle base plates really aren't
base plates, they were used at the top of the mast sections to keep it from
tearing through the netting.

This stuff takes a little getting used to and you might have to manufacture
some rings to connect guy ropes to, but it works really nice for portable
antenna masting.  The only drawback is that it IS heavy.  

I've seen it sell for $20.00 per 80 feet with carrying bag at Oklahoma  and
Kansas hamfests.  Availability is starting to dry up a bit, so $25 for 40
feet could be a decent price these days.  I got mine 4 years ago @ 80
feet/20 bucks.

A friend of mine with a machine shop in his garage manufactured a bunch of
aluminum guy rings, and some top pieces that hold pulleys and all sorts of
other stuff -- works great.  Get it and use your imagination.  Fantastic
field day antenna supports where trees aren't available.

Jim - W0EB

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Thom LaCosta
> Sent: Friday, October 12, 2007 1:42 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Cc: Elecraft Reflector; QRP-L
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: 40' mast on Ebay dirt cheap.
>
> On Fri, 12 Oct 2007, Stephen Przepiora wrote:
>
> > Just to let you all know, there is a guy selling 40' fiberglass
> > military mast with carrying case with a buy it now price of
> $25.00. He
> > also has a "Military Nylon Rope Tie Down Kit" that has two 50' ropes
> > (so what) and six velcro straps with rings you can use as guying
> > connectors.
>
> I bought a similar kit at a local hamfest...I paid more than
> the above, but
> didn't pay shipping...so it was close to a draw....also got
> two base plates that
> kinda fan out, and a neat top hat for mutliple wires.
>
> >
> > I know this is not lightweight stuff, but some of us do not backpack
> > in and operate far from the vehicle :)
>
> Mine was heavy enough that I had a bit of difficulty getting
> it back to the
> car...and several folks commented that they too were winded
> after getting theirs
> last year.
>
> Thom,EIEIO
> Email, Internet, Electronic Information Officer
>
> www.baltimorehon.com/                    Home of the Baltimore Lexicon
> www.tlchost.net/hosting/                 Web Hosting as low
> as 3.49/month
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>
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>

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[n6wg]

Hi Jim
I have both the plastic and the aluminum military
surplus masts I use for FD.  I find that hose clamps
and simple D rings make quick and easy guy line
attachment points.  Easy to assemble or disassemble
right on the spot.
73m, Bob N6WG
The Little Station with Attitude

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Sheldon" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Mailing List" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2007 12:24 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] OT: 40' mast on Ebay dirt cheap.


> Just in case you guys wonder where this stuff came from, it was used to
> hold up military camouflage netting.  Those paddle base plates really
aren't
> base plates, they were used at the top of the mast sections to keep it
from
> tearing through the netting.
>
> This stuff takes a little getting used to and you might have to
manufacture
> some rings to connect guy ropes to, but it works really nice for portable
> antenna masting.  The only drawback is that it IS heavy.
>
> I've seen it sell for $20.00 per 80 feet with carrying bag at Oklahoma
and

> Kansas hamfests.  Availability is starting to dry up a bit, so $25 for 40
> feet could be a decent price these days.  I got mine 4 years ago @ 80
> feet/20 bucks.
>
> A friend of mine with a machine shop in his garage manufactured a bunch of
> aluminum guy rings, and some top pieces that hold pulleys and all sorts of
> other stuff -- works great.  Get it and use your imagination.  Fantastic
> field day antenna supports where trees aren't available.
>
> Jim - W0EB
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [hidden email]
> > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Thom LaCosta
> > Sent: Friday, October 12, 2007 1:42 PM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Cc: Elecraft Reflector; QRP-L
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: 40' mast on Ebay dirt cheap.
> >
> > On Fri, 12 Oct 2007, Stephen Przepiora wrote:
> >
> > > Just to let you all know, there is a guy selling 40' fiberglass
> > > military mast with carrying case with a buy it now price of
> > $25.00. He
> > > also has a "Military Nylon Rope Tie Down Kit" that has two 50' ropes
> > > (so what) and six velcro straps with rings you can use as guying
> > > connectors.
> >
> > I bought a similar kit at a local hamfest...I paid more than
> > the above, but
> > didn't pay shipping...so it was close to a draw....also got
> > two base plates that
> > kinda fan out, and a neat top hat for mutliple wires.
> >
> > >
> > > I know this is not lightweight stuff, but some of us do not backpack
> > > in and operate far from the vehicle :)
> >
> > Mine was heavy enough that I had a bit of difficulty getting
> > it back to the
> > car...and several folks commented that they too were winded
> > after getting theirs
> > last year.
> >
> > Thom,EIEIO
> > Email, Internet, Electronic Information Officer
> >
> > www.baltimorehon.com/                    Home of the Baltimore Lexicon
> > www.tlchost.net/hosting/                 Web Hosting as low
> > as 3.49/month
> > _______________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Post to: [hidden email]
> > You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> >  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
> >
>
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[k4tmc]

Yes, they are dirt cheap for a reason.  Note the area around the bottom
ends.  That area is lighter than the other area of the section.  This
tells me that they have been used a lot or mishandled.  Mishandling of
these type masts is the main reason that they are not very good for use
at heights over 25 ft.  The joint areas are the weak link in these
surplus 'fiberglass' masts.  Note also that they are not truly all
fiberglass, but have loose fiberglass pieces held together with a
resin/plastic bonding agent.  Under stress, they easily crack at the
female end.  That is why there is an extra ring around the female end.

There are several variations of these available.  The ones with the
fiberglass ring at the female end are the best, if they have not been
mishandled.  I would avoid those with plastic rings, since they tend to
break much easier.  I have seen new ones right out of the storage
warehouses with plastic rings falling apart.  But, even the fiberglass
rings will also crack if mishandled.

If left outside for extended periods, the binding agent dissapates due
to the Sun's UV.  This then leaves little slivers of fiberglass
exposed, which can get embedded in your skin if not wearing gloves.  
Bottomline - paint them if you want them to last outside.  Also, to
strengthen the joint area, use a stainless steel hose clamp around the
ring, or where the ring use to be.

As someone else mentioned, they are getting harder to find, but even
harder is finding those that are worth using.

Now for the disclosure:  I use to sell these also, but for the above
reasons, no more.  I do continue to sell the aluminum versions, which
are much stronger, tolerant of mishandling and over-stressing.

73,
Henry - K4TMC

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Przepiora <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>; QRP-L
<[hidden email]>
Sent: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 2:03 pm
Subject: [Elecraft] OT: 40' mast on Ebay dirt cheap.










Just to let you all know, there is a guy selling 40' fiberglass
military mast with carrying case with a buy it now price of $25.00. He
also has a "Military Nylon Rope Tie Down Kit" that has two 50' ropes
(so what) and six velcro straps with rings you can use as guying
connectors.

Link to store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Military-Surplus-Junk

Shipping from PA to NY was going to be $12.00

I know this is not lightweight stuff, but some of us do not backpack
in and operate far from the vehicle :)

Steve - KC2QXE
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[Jim Campbell-8]

I sent my order in sometime last weekend and just got the mast kit this
morning.  Mine appear to have never been used.  The carrying case was
also new.  Shipping to my QTH was $23.  I  can't speak as to what
everyone else who may have ordered got, but I certainly got  a good deal.

72,

Jim - W4BQP
ARES EC, Spartanburg Co., SC

Stephen Przepiora wrote:

> Just to let you all know, there is a guy selling 40' fiberglass
> military mast with carrying case with a buy it now price of $25.00. He
> also has a "Military Nylon Rope Tie Down Kit" that has two 50' ropes
> (so what) and six velcro straps with rings you can use as guying
> connectors.
>
> Link to store:
> http://stores.ebay.com/Military-Surplus-Junk
>
> Shipping from PA to NY was going to be $12.00
>
> I know this is not lightweight stuff, but some of us do not backpack
> in and operate far from the vehicle :)
>
> Steve - KC2QXE
>
>
>  

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[Darwin, Keith]

I'm waiting for mine to be delivered.  I did BIN for the mast and a
couple of other small things and asked for combined shipping.  Got no
response from the seller except for an e-bay invoice showing $31 in
shipping charges (PA to VT).  One box arrived yesterday with the small
items.  The mast I'm assuming will arrive today or tomorrow.  So much
for combining shipping to save me some money.

So far, I'm not thrilled at all with the seller.  Shame on me for not
checking into shipping BEFORE bidding.  I knew better but just assumed
"it can't be that bad".  Fortunately, the goods (so far) have been in
great shape.

- Keith N1AS -
- K2 5411.ssb.100 -
- K3 wave 3 -

-----Original Message-----
Subject: [Elecraft] Re: [QRP-L] OT: 40' mast on Ebay dirt cheap.

I sent my order in sometime last weekend and just got the mast kit this
morning.  Mine appear to have never been used.  The carrying case was
also new.  Shipping to my QTH was $23.  I  can't speak as to what
everyone else who may have ordered got, but I certainly got  a good
deal.
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[Darwin, Keith]

Sorry to clutter the list with this, but I figure I should finish the story.
 
The mast arrived Wed.  It was not boxed at all, just shipped in its carrying bag.  It survived the trip to VT just fine.  12 Pieces, each 48" long, yielding 44 feet of mast length.
 
So be warned, the goods are good but the mast is not shiped in any box of any kind.  The seller does NOT do nearly as good in the customer service area as Elecraft does!
 
OK, back to Elecraft topics now.
 
- Keith N1AS -
- K2 5411.ssb.100 -
- K3 Wave 3 -

 
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[M0XDF]

What is that? -  Wave goodbye to it being here soon :-(
Disappointed....


On 18/10/07 19:46, "Darwin, Keith" <[hidden email]> sent:
> - K3 Wave 3 -

--
If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he
will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.
-Francis Bacon, essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626)


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