Friday, March 22, 2019

Various antenna masts compared By Peter Parker VK3YE

Various antenna masts compared

Height is might. Generally speaking the higher your antenna the better. Signal reports improve and, for horizontal dipoles, the radiation angle is reduced so HF DX becomes more workable. And on VHF/UHF a higher antenna lets you clear obstructions and increases your communications distance.

Unless you find a handy tree or wish to play around with kites, you're going to need some sort of antenna mast. It can be fairly light and flexible if you're just using end-fed thin wire antennas. On the other hand, if you'll be using heavier wire antennas or even beams it will need to be more solid.

Below are videos of various poles and masts I've used for portable and home operating.

Compact telescoping poles - how good for portable antennas?


Comparing a 9m fishing pole with a Spiderbeam 12m mast


5m aluminium antenna mast (sold by Jaycar, Australia)


12m Spiderbeam as home antenna support


Home station timber antenna mast



What can happen if using a mast to support a kite antenna...



... and how you can best use the bits remaining



PS: Antennas to suit these masts are covered in Hand-carried QRP Antennas. Available in electronic and paperback form (some countries) this well-reviewed book is a popular read amongst hams who go portable.

 Link to find out more about Hand Carried QRP Antennas

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