DIY PVC Antenna Mast - Easy, Portable, & CHEAP!

[Gman200108]

Hello everyone,

I looked around online for a while for just basic antenna masts, I didn't need anything to ridiculous, but I didn't feel like spending the money. This project is great for anyone that likes doing things themselves, and it is extremely cheap and easy to make. Parts list is included below. Took about 2 hours total to build, waiting for paint and glue to dry etc. You could do this without glue for a portable setup, and it'd take about 15 minutes to fully assemble. Below are some pictures, and then at the bottom of this is the parts list. Let me know what you think and if you've done anything similar! It's not a permanent solution, but it will work for me in the meantime. The mast is about 10ft tall, and I am sure you could add another 10ft section with proper guying, but I'd use a thicker bottom pipe for stability. I have 3 guying loops at the top of the mast just with simple loop screws. It is plenty stable, I also recommend putting 50lb sand bags on the bottom part. The pieces of pipe coming out from the center are each 12" in length. The pipes going from the center out are 12" each. The biggest pipes are 24" each. Pretty simple, and uses up all of your piping exactly with no leftovers.

http://i.imgur.com/xvS1wTu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7VUXh4M.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7eMoFSD.jpg

Parts List

-Two 1 Inch x 10 Feet Schedule 40 PVC Pipes ($12.90)
-Four 1 Inch 90-Degree PVC Elbows ($2.64)
-3 1 Inch 90-Degree Tees ($2.58)
-2 Bags of Quikrete 50lb Play Sand (or something similar) ($7.94)
-4 Small Eye Screws ($2.72)
-Ground Stakes (For Guying)
-String (For Guying)
-Gray Spray Paint ($5.94)
-PVC Cement (No primer needed) ($8~)

Total Cost: $35 to $45
Build Time: 2~ hours

Worth it? Yes!

Im open to any comments and suggestions. Thanks!

 

[zz0468]

Im open to any comments and suggestions. Thanks!

Unconventional, and there will be a lot of naysayers. But I've done a couple of PVC masts in my day.

Mine have been supports for 40-20-15-10 meter inverted vee dipoles, which doubled as guy wires. RG58 was run up the middle to tee's at the 10 foot and 20 foot levels. The whole thing was installed on the roof. It was light weight, looked have decent, and the carefully tuned antennas kicked butt.

On the other hand, I had no expectation that it would last for years in the sun, provide any sort of lightning protection, or could support anything but itself. I kept mine up for a few years and noted a little discoloration from UV, but overall, I was pretty happy with the arrangement, especially the cost.

 

[N5TWB]

Maybe a good solution for temporary use, like Field Day, but the sun will have its way with that PVC. Add a little wind on the wire load and cracking will begin.

 

[GrumpyGuard]

I have used one I made for several years, and it was located in the great Central Valley of California. These are great and inexpensive. I had to discard the mast when I moved but plan on making a new one when we get into our new home. I did not use this for HF, as I am a licensed Technician, but this does work well with a small homemade 2 meter antenna.

 

[K5MPH]

Paint the pvc pipe it will last a lot longer if you don't the pipe will start to flake off due to the weather and sun,that's what I did and after 5 years it still works and looks good........