Plastic PVC pipe as mast VS Metal mast

[murrayustud]

Is there any advantage or disadvantage to using plastic PVC pipe as mast or does it matter?
Also, anyone have any ideas on replacing a couple of elements on a Radio Shack Discone?

 

[tbharper]

I would use metal myself as to me it would be stronger

 

[n4voxgill]

I had to put up a free standing 30 footmast that was the center support on a long wire antenna. A portion of the antenna was a verticle wire that came came down and radiated. I could not have any metal within 10 feet of wire. I used 3 sections of 2 inch PVC and I bought 4 pieces of 2X2 and trimmed the edges. I then drove the 2X2s inside the PVC. It really strenthened the PVC, and use two sets of guy wires. When you get up over about 8 or 10 feet, PVC is very floppy. I took care of that with the 2X2s.

If you don't have a radiation problem, then a metal mast is very superior. depends on your antanna set up.

 

[kf4lne]

Metal is better suited for antennas. its far more rigid than PVC and conducts things like static electricity to ground better. metal is also less expensive than PVC in the long run. PVC requires the addition of a ground cable while a metal mast can be used as the ground path with a short cable run at the bottom to a ground rod.

 

[iMONITOR]

I had to put up a free standing 30 footmast that was the center support on a long wire antenna. A portion of the antenna was a verticle wire that came came down and radiated. I could not have any metal within 10 feet of wire. I used 3 sections of 2 inch PVC and I bought 4 pieces of 2X2 and trimmed the edges. I then drove the 2X2s inside the PVC. It really strenthened the PVC, and use two sets of guy wires. When you get up over about 8 or 10 feet, PVC is very floppy. I took care of that with the 2X2s.

If you don't have a radiation problem, then a metal mast is very superior. depends on your antanna set up.

Did you use the white, or gray? The gray appears to be more rigid.

 

[n4voxgill]

i wanted to use the heavier gray, but the inside diamter is smaller and could not get the
2X2 to go inside. It was plenty strong. Been through several wind storms and thunder storms.

 

[Mischief810]

I used 1-1/4" galvanized top rail. It's the stuff used for chain link fences. My "mast" is only 20 feet tall and it is strapped to the house. It's plenty rigid for my application, but your mileage may vary.

Mash here to see it.

I'm no help on the discone elements.