3 Masts Everyone Needs for Ham Radio
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2023
- Take a look at the three masts I use most for portable ham radio.
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Sota Beams Mast - www.sotabeams.co.uk/carbon-6-...
TN07 Green Mast - tn07.com/32-portable-antenna-...
Fiberglass Big Mast - tn07.com/telescoping-masts
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Sota Beams Mast - www.sotabeams.co.uk/carbon-6-ultra-light-6-m-19-6-ft-mast/
TN07 Green Mast - tn07.com/32-portable-antenna-mast
Fiberglass Big Mast - tn07.com/telescoping-masts
I have a 40’ Spiderbeam supporting a multiband doublet (18 gauge) and the 32’ TN07 green mast supporting an 84’ EFHW. Both have endured three tropical force storms with no issues. I’d buy both again.
Really helpful video, Jason.👍
The Mast Company sells a 32 footer that is virtually identical to the green mast. My fave as well. Cheaper too.
I have the SOTA Beam Carbon 6 and a Spiderbeam 10M Mini mast (only 28" collapsed) and an 7M long fiberglass fishing pole mast. Also a bunch of the 4 foot long fiberglass surplus military mast poles with an aluminum tripod core (you use 3 4 foot military masts for the legs).
That's awesome that the TN07's can work with the Elk antenna. Thanks!
Just used a 16.5’ crappie pole and an old DeWalt work light tripod to hold a homemade 70cm dipole yesterday for a half day event. Worked just fine.
I am a big fan of the Sotabeams mast. The others look like great options too. Thanks!
You definitely have to be careful with the Sotabeams mast. Great for lite antennas but that's about all. The green mast by TN07 has been abused for several years and still works great.
I just purchased the Chameleon CHA HD 15' Mast with Topper and Wheel Mount. It's incredible.
Nice list. I'm partial to the Spiderbeams mast these days but I've used that tn07 green may many times too
I love my Spiderbeams mast. That thing is SOLID.
I have a 40' Spiderbeam that I love and a 20' carbon fiber fishing rod that, like your Sotabeams mast, is meant for much lighter applications. I've not had a problem with either and would recommend having both for portable situations no matter which brand you choose. I like the big mast for much heavier antennas or ones that need rock solid support. Thanks for the reviews. Jack K5FIT
The Sotabeams Tactical Mini and the KM4ACK EFHW are my go-to POTA combination.
Hey Jason, thanks for the 3 reviews. I'm liking the green tn07 mast for POTA activations. I'm sure tn07 will be at Hamvention. I'll add this to my list and look for them there. See you soon.
Thanks for the video! Great info!
Another excellent video Jason. I appreciate your relevant, factual content without the "click bait" drama so common to other amateur radio channels. 100% agree on that Carbon 6 mast - its my goto "backpack mobile" SOTA antenna, although in the mountains of north Georgia there are so many trees a mast isn't often needed. Indeed, as you pointed out, its biggest strength is its biggest weakness. I tried to deploy this antenna on the beach at Jekyll Island and the wind didn't destroy it, but it bent it over like the St. Louis Arch (ha). I'll have to check out the other masts. Keep up the great work and maybe we'll see you at Atlanta Hamfest (June) or again in Huntsville (August). 73 from Atlanta.
I'll be at Huntsville for sure. Not sure about Atlanta yet.
That green TN07 mast is a beast! I've had mine for 3 years now. The walls are nice and thick and it has the chrome support rings on the largest section (which yours doesn't have). It puts the black MFJ mast to shame.
Mine had the chrome support rings but it came unglued about a year or so ago. It's still in the rubber cap awaiting a fix.
Thanks, very interesting and useful info.
Jason, always love your vids and am very grateful to you for the contribution you continue to make to the ham radio community. So, I **JUST snagged my own TN07 mast after long considering it. Gotta say, I'm totally thrilled. I already had a Spiderbeam 40ft and a Jackite 28ft. Both of those are also great masts, but the TN07 is like.....if those other 2 got together and had a baby. It's strength seems reminiscent of the Spiderbeam, but it's lighter....and best of all....fits in the same drive-on flag pole mast mount that I use for quick POTA activations...just like my Jackite. It is a real welcome member of my mast arsenal. 73! Tim KD9LAI
I love my MFJ 1917 or Spiderbeams mast. The DX Commander mast is high quality as well.
My TN07 32' mast hasn't held up well at all. The top section broke holding a packtenna efhw. The edges of the fiberglass tubes started chipping and unraveling, and the whipping that holds the small clip on the side started to come undone day one.
If you want it to have a chance of surviving, get some thin superglue (don't use the gel) and soak the edges of the tubes (you just want it to soak into the fibers not coat them) and then coat the whipping on that clip to hold to together. You can also peal off the TN07 sticker and put your own over the Made in China branding.
Reach out to TN07 and see if they can help out. I have two of their masts and not a problem with either.
I had an issue with a new one. I reached out to them. Their customer service was second to none.
A nice small and stable 6m mast is the tactical mini. Not as lightweight as the sotabeams, but u can use a small logperiodic on this.
The tactical mini is made by Sotabeams. I have the Tactical 7000 and I really like using it, although it is rather easy to over-extend the sections.
I use a collapsible flag pole from Harbor freight.
Not on their website
@@jmr thank you sir…!
Nice, different solutions for different situations.
I dont think I can do SOTA so medium or large would be the go for me.
The big one could flip your Jeep in a strong wind without snapping!😅
"Flip the jeep" 😂
Another solution for deploying the Carbon 6 in the field where there are no trees is to put a ring on it that will accept guy ropes. MFJ sells guying rings in a few inside diameters. That's what I use on SOTA activations in UT, AZ and NV.
I had thought about 3D printing a guy ring but haven't gotten around to it.
@@KM4ACK It's saved a few activations for me. I carry nylon straps to hold the pole against small trees, but sometimes there aren't even any of those. That's life in the desert, I guess.
you can probably use a pool noodle cut to length and slice it like a hotdog bun to use as a bushing for your jeep setup
One can cut a cheap pool noodle and stuff the pieces into the the mast holder as a bushing. Two four inch pieces.
I use the Gigaparts telescoping Fiberglass and Carbon fiber masts. The carbon fibers are extremely tough and durable. However, the fiberglass masts are very good for EFHW at 25+ feet. I have a Fiberglass push up holding an EFHW at 35' in my backyard and it has been up 2+ years through 85mph straight winds. The Carbon 6 would be nice but it is nearly always sold out and at this point, I have other options.
They CaHR guys keep saying that you hate carbon fibre masts because of interference but you have some. They must be talking hog wash. Lol
@@DonzLockz It is hogwash. Think of all those towers out there that are made of metal. And Dave Casler always recommending the Chain link top rail masts that are absolutely metal. Carbon fiber is less conductive than metal.
@@don_n5skt this is a great point
I ordered my Tactical 7000 directly from Sotabeams and it arrived within a few days. I know DX Engineering sells them, but the wait might be forever before they get them in stock.
Have you thought of using a pool noodle or pipe insulation as a spacer for the sota beams mast and the tn07 mast holder?
The ATF is coming for your arsenal. The Amateur Tactical radio Frequency :)
Use a Pool Noodle as a mast bushing in that TN07 holder
Love the middle one. Not bad at $140ish. The additional hitch or tire mounts for $180 are crazy expensive though. Yikes!! Time to "rig" something. Make it work.
I use the one mounted in my winch much more than the drive on style
Jason, this is just me thinking out loud. To use the SOTA mast with your bumper mount try a layer or two of pool noodle. Just a foot on the bottom should stabilize the mast really well.
Not a bad thought at all! Thanks
Nice presentation! Thanks!
Harbor freight telescoping flag pole mast is strong enough for me to support a GP6 on top of it, AND the transformer for an 80-10 EFHW.
Dollar for dollar, you will not find a better mast.
I have the sotabeams 7000hds. It doesnt bend as bad as some of them
I have the 7000 as well. A bit on the short side (23ft) for how chunky it is but it has its use case.
Slice up a pool noodle instead of 3d printing bushings. Cheaper, quicker, and shock absorbing.
Jason, would you please detail the pipe connection from the TNO7 to the Elk antenna? I want to use that same setup.
Thanks!
The pipe that you see on the bottom of the antenna comes with the Elk. The only thing extra I did was add a bushing to reduce the pipe size. With the green mast, I removed a few of the upper sections so the "new" top section would fit into the pipe on the Elk.
Massholder
My friend said you were OK, You didnt have to go make movies about it, comrade
Is there any care or maintenance tips? My main concern is if I forget the mast in the trunk of the car for a few days if it will cause any damage.
The only thing I tend to do is dry them out if they got wet during the activation. Extend them fully and leave them in the sun for an hour or so.
I keep one in the back of my vehicle on a regular basis and never had an issue.
How many kg does the "green" mast weigh?
~1.9kg
There are smaller t-posts
Jason, by chance, any coupon codes with TN07? Watch your videos all the time ... Thank you.
None currently.
Not helpful because I’d like to see the mast extended.
The radios Nazis use.