Never did post final application in use, but wanted to thank many of you for guidance and inspiration and counsel--specifically PRCGuy! I can take credit only for engineering modifications I made to improve the existing military design and stabilization. Unfortunately these are no longer required, but have served well with no issues in sustained winds of 30-45 mph and winter gusts up to 60 mph here in upstate New York. I had open heart surgery earlier this year with bypass and valve replacement, so doing MX on these are too much for me anymore.
As posted on RR some time ago, I started repurposing heavy-wall, US military surplus aluminum portable antenna sections comprising two (2) 25-foot antenna mast systems. Each mast has five, 5-foot sections plus tripod base with a removable ballast barrel attached to the tripod by custom web strapping and stainless steel hardware. The internal ballast used is solid concrete blocks, split for maximum volume and ease of movement. Mast sections and base are HD, thick-wall aluminum and NOS military. I did modify the tripods for stability and had new versions of the geometric plates I designed on SolidWorks laser cut and bent to specification. All parts were there TIG welded properly (original government contractor only tacked joints) with full circumference welds. Sections are slip fit with locking stainless-steel collars and hardware throughout. I integrated aluminum guy standoff brackets (Penninger Radio) and configured each tower/mast with three guy ropes anchored to 24-inch steel stakes. Coax is Times LMR400 and--along with ground wire--is clamped and bolted to the mast approximately every foot. Antennas on left mast are Diamond X50-A 144/440 MHz Dual Band Base Antenna and Comet CYA-1216E 1.2 GHz, 16 Element Rear Mount Yagi Beam Antenna. Antenna on right mast is Diamond BC103 Base Station/Repeater Antenna Amateur/Commercial, VHF Wide-Band, 143-176 MHz. Both masts and all antenna were supporting my Icom IC 9700. Open to all questions, comments, suggestions, etc. These need to go to a new home. Many thanks to all of you who contributed to making these strong, durable resources that enhanced my radio use. Just another example of the synergy this hobby leverages to us all!
As posted on RR some time ago, I started repurposing heavy-wall, US military surplus aluminum portable antenna sections comprising two (2) 25-foot antenna mast systems. Each mast has five, 5-foot sections plus tripod base with a removable ballast barrel attached to the tripod by custom web strapping and stainless steel hardware. The internal ballast used is solid concrete blocks, split for maximum volume and ease of movement. Mast sections and base are HD, thick-wall aluminum and NOS military. I did modify the tripods for stability and had new versions of the geometric plates I designed on SolidWorks laser cut and bent to specification. All parts were there TIG welded properly (original government contractor only tacked joints) with full circumference welds. Sections are slip fit with locking stainless-steel collars and hardware throughout. I integrated aluminum guy standoff brackets (Penninger Radio) and configured each tower/mast with three guy ropes anchored to 24-inch steel stakes. Coax is Times LMR400 and--along with ground wire--is clamped and bolted to the mast approximately every foot. Antennas on left mast are Diamond X50-A 144/440 MHz Dual Band Base Antenna and Comet CYA-1216E 1.2 GHz, 16 Element Rear Mount Yagi Beam Antenna. Antenna on right mast is Diamond BC103 Base Station/Repeater Antenna Amateur/Commercial, VHF Wide-Band, 143-176 MHz. Both masts and all antenna were supporting my Icom IC 9700. Open to all questions, comments, suggestions, etc. These need to go to a new home. Many thanks to all of you who contributed to making these strong, durable resources that enhanced my radio use. Just another example of the synergy this hobby leverages to us all!
