You WANT this portable HF MAST in your kit | K7SW Ham Radio
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- Опубліковано 12 лип 2024
- Learn how to setup this mast and never be without a way to get your HF antenna on the air.
The Tenkara Fishing Mast is something I learned about from K7ODX the UTAH SOTA section Manager.
I have a number of these masts and they are invaluable for SOTA, POTA and just having fun setting up a radio while camping.
Tenkara rod geni.us/oYMV0XA
Orange ground stake geni.us/0AKT
Rubber Twist Tie geni.us/gTlB9YI
Nano Cord geni.us/ZoqWs
Para Cord geni.us/FdU4P0f
Shrink tube 1 1/4" geni.us/Tn96PE
Using my affiliate links in this description to purchase items seen in this video, costs you nothing more and helps to earn a small commission for the channel that supports making more Videos like this.
Thanks for watching 👍
00:00 Begin
00:24 The Mast Details
01:43 Mast setup
02:25 End fed Setup
03:40 Linked Dipole setup
05:55 Vertical antenna setup
07:58 Improvements and maintenance for the mast
Would a mast like this, help you to operate portable ?
Great video. Like the shtick l shrink wrap hack!
Heck YES! Use them on every portable operation. FYI - much of my portable operations are in SW Utah; Iron, Garfield and Kane counties. I should head up your direction on my next trip there. For me, Utah is the confluence of 3 hobbies....Ham radio, photography and fishing.
Man...your background looks so good!
Thanks Brother, I am learning from Basic Filmmaker University. 💯
Just going to say the same thing! Excellent video, my man! God bless! 👍🏻
@@chrismosquad1056 Thank you very much
Those poles are great, I have a shorter variant, just 43cm (shade under 17") collapsed, yet it is almost 6m extended with tip in three sections. I still have the tip sections though (see below). I have put a swivel on a short tube that squeeze over section about 70cm from tip, I then use that for attaching antennas
Reason why I kept top, I like fishing, and just taking the top 4m is great way to catch the local brook trout, sadly I have not found that brand again, luckily I bought 4 when local tackle store closed (owner turned 80 and retired),
I started using similar masts to the Tenkara for many years. I have a variety of Black Widow Crappy poles, a MFJ pole, several telescopic "window washing" poles. My favorite is a "windsock pole" from a kite store which is much stronger than a fishing pole. These poles have served well on mountain tops, deserts and campgrounds. De n7xj, Utah.
Spoken like a Veteran and a PRO user, thanks neighbor !
@Robert which kite store and which model pole do you use?
Wow, I think I'm going to buy all those parts, pull my radio out of storage, and get back on the air!
Thanks Dan 💪 and thanks for the support I sure appreciate it.
Great video. Lots of good info. Another tip: if there’s room, put a piece of sponge or foam inside the bottom of the mast. If an upper section comes loose, hopefully it won’t get damaged when it slides down and hits the bottom.
That is a GREAT idea ! I appreciate you sharing that., i will be making that improvement.
OK, this is great as always! I've used a 20-foot Black Widow fishing pole for 20 years, and I agree that a fishing pole makes a great antenna support. I used the vertical idea originally and later used it to support dipoles. More recently I've been using a seven meter Spiderbeam mast. And yes, I also discovered the paracord in the top section trick! Here's a tip: I also use a very lightweight 49:1 transformer with my EFHW antennas, and 25 feet of RG-174. I put the transformer at the TOP of the mast. That way I can slope the antenna wire off in any direction I want, and can change the direction if desired. I can also quickly change the length of my wire to change bands. I have a connector in the middle of the 20 meter wire, so I can disconnect it and put on a shorter piece of wire for 17 meters or 12 meters, or whatever band I want. Or, I can clip a loading coil on the end of the 20 meter wire to change to 40 meters.
Excellent setup William, those are really good tips, thanks for sharing. Spiderbeam masts look really strong, I need to try one of those.
Your video and audio quality are top notch!
What a well-narrated and informative video! I learned so many useful tips and have subscribed. Keep it coming!
Some Good Ideas, THANKS!
Have a few similar poles and great tips - SAFETY FIRST - see the HV lines in the background? Avoid induced voltage and stay far away from any electrical lines - then you can enjoy the hobby for years to come! Also, I glue the end piece into the 2nd piece (not pulling it out) and it gives more support. Great stuff and cheers y’all!
Excellent safety tip and I like your fix for the end of the rod. Thanks for sharing
I bought a similar fishing pole for use as a portable mast. Thanks for all of the good suggestions.
This video is awesome. Full of information
Really well made! Helpful too! Thanks!
Awesome practical demo. Very helpful, cheers!🍻🤠👍
Great video. To keep all the coax weight off the tip of the mast I use the aluminum twist ties and tie the coax to the mast at 3 or 4 places on the mast. This distributes the weight all along the shaft and not just the tip.
Excellent tip, thank you 👍
Great video. So many great tips
Awesome video with lots of great information! I use one for SOTA/POTA, I really like it plus it fits in or on my packs.
Absolutely !
Kevin ... love the "lessons learned" tips you include with the use of this mast.
73 - KF6IF
Se agradece mucho el uso de las dos unidades de medida. Pulgadas y Metros! Muy Bien!! 73
I've been using these masts for years too. My favorite is the 10m one that's the same diameter as the 7.2m one but is about meter long, collapsed. I also have a 15m one that is great for going somewhere in a car but not for hiking, and a 7.2m one that collapses down to 17" for super portable work (QCX and single band wire)
Your tips for improving the masts are great. Here's one thing I've done differently:
For the string coming out the top, I did the same thing you did, but I added a bit of glue-lined marine heat shrink where the string comes out of the section, with about 1/2" covering the section and 1" covering the Paracord. I did this after I had too much tension on it once and the string cracked the section vertically. The heat shrink prevents this, and there's enough clearance between the tops of the sections and the cap to accommodate it.
Overall these are great masts and a great value. Thanks for the video.
That's an excellent idea, thanks for sharing
Well done! Appreciate your work and the information.
Much appreciated!
Excellent presentation!
Thank you kindly!
I love it! I have a 16 fishing pole and tried to just stand it up and guy it 4 ways with less than satisfactory results. I am going to have to go get one of these stakes. Actually I think I’m going to eventually mimic your set up to a T! I love it!! I’ve been trying to make my portable set up as compact as possible but as self sufficient as possible. I don’t like having to depend on trees, I live in the Deep South and we have plenty but just the same…. Thank you again! Merry Christmas and 73 de WW4FL
I am glad you found this useful. Keep trying new setups. happy holidays to you as well. 73
I’ve used these for years as well… With end-feds, or light weight wire antennas they are an essential piece of kit…. The 7m SpiderBeam is really nice. Heavy duty, and rigid, perfect for an inverted V…
Thanks for the video, great to see how others play radio. 72 de W7UDT
You bet Randall, and thanks for sharing your setup.
Great video, I think this will work perfectly for my end fed. Thanks!
Good to see you Jon.
Great video. Just ordered all the gear!
Hope you enjoy it!
Great video. I use one with a 49.1 matcher for 20m and 40m to work DX. Love the idea to keep the cap: "captive "
Nice 😉
Great vid! Thanks for the link. Got lucky that Amazon had them 30% off.
Tenkara fishing is fun too.
I LOVE the idea of using a BNC binding post with the radials! A great idea for making a 40m quarter wave with a 10m fishing pole. I need to try that! SOTAbeams UK sell a couple of what they describe as (low level) guying flanges - one 32mm device is too small for a 10m pole and happens to sit on the pole at about 7m or so. It is ideal for deploying centre fed antenna as it has holes every 30 degrees so can act as support for the dipole ends coming into a BNC binding post.
Great video, thanks
Just found your channel and subscribed!
Great presentation! I have been using this type of pole for a few years and they are quite handy and easy to use. Purchased an alleged 12M pole, usable length ~35 feet, works great for a 20M EFHW as a vertical dipole. My current 'pole arsenal' includes 5,6,7, ~10 and a 12M spiderbeam pole. Heck, the 12M pole will handle a shortened 20/40M shortened EFHW as a vertical dipole as well. A fantastic tool for portable operations!
Yes sir, I know exactly what you are talking about. Thanks for sharing your setup. This will help many others
I use a 10 meters fishing rod. I use it with a qrp guys efhw, deployed as a vertical. I tie it to a portable chair… basically I arrive at the location, extend the rod and its ready. I paid 25 for the fishing rod
Perfect setup
Thanks for both imperial and metric units.
🍻
You are welcome. 👍
Your indoor video is sharp as a tack.
Nice video. Been looking for a long mast but have avoided carbon fiber for fear that it will conduct enough of the signal away from the antenna to affect reception. I take it that is not the case from your experience. Also, I recently strung a Diamond 40M dipole antenna outside my balcony and used two fiberglass tent poles to hold up most of the antenna wire. The far end of the wire is held up by a stiff extendable fiberglass pole that was once part of an old tree pruner. The tent poles look exactly like your fishing rod but have four extendable sections that can extend it 2.5 meters - enough to position the antenna wire far enough horizontally from my balcony so I can operate at 100 watts safely from my base station, which is in the room just inside the balcony. To mount the poles to the house I used two flagpole mounts and some bungee cords to hold them in place. The tent poles are stiff, well made and cheap. I got two off of Amazon for about $40.
Perfect example of creativity !
Great video enjoyed watching it 73s
I've been using a 10 meter carbon fiber mast from SOTA Beam's and I really like it. It is super compact and so will fit into even a modest pack. The only real complaint is the high price, but this is a life time purchase so taken over that time it's really pretty cheap on a per use basis. I do however really like the carbon fiber fishing rod idea. I can think of multiple ways this rod could be put to all the uses you've described and many more.
Agreed, and having more than one mast increases the opportunities for fun. Thanks for sharing your setup.
Yep have a 20ft Black Widow I've used with a 20M dipole I made in an L configuration. One leg goes up the pole. The bnc connector is a couple of feet off the ground and the other leg goes horizontal with the ground at the same height as the bnc connector.l I've made both voice and FT8 with this configuration with a G90 running 15 -18 watts. The carbon fiber is supposed to be somewhat conductive so I try to minimize the vertical leg contact with the pole. I've also used it as the high end of a sloper with an Emcomm III EFHW. Very light weight and portable. Holds up to windy conditions too. Good choice. I put a wrap of electrical tape at each joint with a field day fold just to be safe. Jack K5FIT
I have a Goture Goldite fishing pole I use for POTA. I actually kept the smallest section where I tied an overhand knot on the tiny piece of string on the end. On my antennas I have a small loop of nylon braided fishing line that I secure to the pole through a larks head knot. I pull it tight and the overhand knot keeps it secure. My antenna is a K6ARK EFHW with 26 AWG polystealth wire so it doesn't weigh it down enough to snap the pole.
The K6ARK antenna looks really nice and lite weight. Perfect fit
Tenkara is really expensive compared to window washing poles and I liked having pure fiberglass. I'm looking for a surplus army aluminum mast now. I can't get on the roof or ladder anymore because of disability. I need it for 10m and 2/70 to hold a small moxon for tx and then run 100' of rx wire.
I need good rg174, any suppliers that you trust for budget cable? You have a great channel Kevin, thanks for not shilling for sponsors.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I can say that I have never had long term success with cheaper cable. Never would hold up well with winter and outdoor use for me. ABR industries is a go to and DX engineering is also a really good place to start with.
Another great video - thank you for sharing with us Kevin! 73 de ki5gx
Your welcome Shawn. 73
Those power lines look close! Careful!
It was an Optical illusion, thanks I do appreciate it
Hi
I like your video's and saw all of them.
Regarding the vertical antenna on the Carbon fishing rod.
The Carbon is conductive and changing dramatically the spec of the vertical I tested for 20M.
I changed the rod to Fiberglass and the antenna works perfect.
73/Shalom
Jan Misgav
4X1VF
Thanks for sharing those findings, Jan.
You can now multitask. Ham in the morning, fishing in the after noon 😆🍸
You got that right! Thanks Phil.
This seems very compatible with the QRPGuys 3-band vertical. The Base I made is a length of 1 1/4" PVC with a round cap glued to the bottom end after drilling a hole in the cap and securing a 1/2" threaded rod for the base. Since I am in Florida for the winter, I did not attempt to sharpen the threaded rod as it goes in easily into the sand here. Then my carbon fiber mast goes in easily or if a little bit lose the mast can have some shrink wrap put on the bottom section to snug it up.
I am changing RVs this week so am limited on time, but I will use my Rig Expert AA-35 Zoom to tune the ~16' vertical wire after determining where to mount the circuit board with the toroids, with the radials extending down from there. I am not putting on glue from my hot glue gun yet in case I have to remove a couple of wraps from the toroids after tuning.
I had a couple of chaps tell me to not use carbon fiber as it is conductive, however, a British Ham showed that the resistance was in K-ohms per inch and that his measurements of fiberglass vs. carbon fiber were MAYBE a 0.1 dB difference in field strength.
I can't wait to play with this setup more. It is a great antenna for when there are no trees and/or limited space to set up. I pulled into one WMA here for POTA near Davenport, FL and there was only a fenced area for two cars to park next to the main sign at the gate area. Once through the hiker's 3-legged gate, there was only semi-cleared ground of an acre or so before the trail disappeared into the woods.
This antenna would work nicely there and I am still pondering a decent setup with a camp chair, an aluminum foldable operating RV table, and some type of umbrella to support my sunhat activities. This property is in complete contrast to the other end of the spectrum where near Frostproof, FL there were 2 separate picnic tables with small roof shelters over them and a US Gvt CXT vault toilet, LOL.
Both places had limited antenna opportunities, but the latter also came with six-inch FL spiders in giant webs bridging the wooden fence to the oak tree limbs everywhere so a deployed EFHW wasn't something I wanted to "deploy", LOL. Cheers es 72/73, Davey - KU9L
That's some good information, I really appreciate sharing about the carbon fiber mast comparison. I may make a video about that.
Florida sure sounds nice and warm 73
Kevin
@@hamradiowithkevin Yes sir, great video idea. I only have a Chromebook so my video-making SW is very limited web-based, so I will not win any awards, but I enjoy making short montages. When I get the new RV I will go back to making videos on my Tuna Can QRPp gear and reviews as I cut my newly built antennas. I could putter all winter, keeps me going, LOL. Will keep an eye out for your next videos! -72/73, Davey - KU9L
great choice of a park - right next to electric lines ...
Looks closer than it really is.
Very good ideas thanks. KI5UHA Rogers, AR.
Fellow utahn here! Thanks for the tips! Currently studying to upgrade to my General and was looking for a way to portably / temporarily mount an HF antenna in my yard, or even on the move! This was a big help and i think convinced me to go with a proper dipole rather than a vertical whip.May I ask, what bands have you had success with this mast? I assume it's perfect for 10 meters, but I assume I might have a more difficult time going down to 40?
Hope to be able to hear you on the air sometime :)
I do hope to run into you on the air one day. That would be nice.
Thanks for the support
On the weekend I tried a VKFF until a thunder storm came in so today got my pole fully extended in my driveway laying in the warm sun to evaporate any moisture inside. You have some good tips of your experiences with poles. I have carbon 6 and it fits inside a piece of 40mm white pvc which becomes a base for my pole and a place to carry it on my backpack on SOTA hikes. vk5cz ..
I'm thinking of this mast. A trailer hitch mast holder. And a 44-foot doublet for pota. Could be a good combination at not a lot of cost
I have used a fiberglass cane pole on some pvc pipe for this before carbon fiber became available.
I have found that the carbon fiber poles have rather sharp edges. When untwisting and pushing down when it gives it can cause skinning or cutting of the pushing hand. Be careful. I use the PackTenna carbon fiber pole, a beautiful and functional pole. This one looks to be lower cost. So light and useful. Dave K8WPE
Thanks for the tips Dave. One day I look forward to trying out the PackTenna Mast. There are so many options that it seems never ending the opportunities to find new gear to try. 73
I saw that trick with the mast cap a little while ago but the cord I had wouldn't quite fit in the hole in the cap. The cap apparently realized what was going to happen and snuck off before I could find some appropriate cord.
That's funny, my first cap and yours must have been family
This is great! I was wondering what kind of extendable pole I could use as a semi-temporary mast, especially when on family vacations. I was looking at fiberglass poles like fire safety teams use for smoke and heat detector testers. These poles are hundreds of dollars (and big diameter and heavy, but they have to support several pounds at their tips)!
I've heard of using fishing rods but having never been the sportsy type, I never got into fishing more than the $10 Wal-Mart closed-reel beginner pole when I was 12. I never knew poles like this existed!
Beyond that, I've never seen someone suggest a pole like this for a vertical. Always for dipoles.
I already had the idea of using ring terminals for radials (but I was thinking a much higher number of radials per each, which I've found can be much, much, much thinner wire). Watching DXCommander Callum's videos, I've seen that halving the length of radials while doubling their number seems to maintain an antenna's operability -- so now the 12 radials I'm using on 20m at about 20 feet length (really, longer than they need to be, which is 16ish), maybe I could get down to 10/8 feet at 24, then 5/4 feet at 48. Sounds like a lot, but 5 feet, or better, 4, at any gauge thicker than #24 would hold some small amount of spread away from the center... and even if not, a supporting ring of maybe 2 or 3 feet diameter (hula hoop? Greenbriar vine? Kudzu?) could help with that...
You've provided me excellent experimentation fodder and have earned a like-and-subscribe with this! Even if I never go portable, this will allow me to test out various ideas more easily -- currently, I'm limited in my antenna height and placement to wherever I can sling a pulley into a tree. Where I have, I can only pull about a maximum 20 feet of wire straight up. But this will allow me to get away from the tree, get a little more height, get a proper set of radials going... maybe I'll even see some gain!
Glad this was helpful. I hope you become excited enough to experiment many many more antennas. 73
No interaction issues with the vertical and the carbon fiber?
If so, I have never experienced any issues and and up with enough contacts to fill a happy log 🤩
I stixk with fiberglass for that reason. Carbon fiber conductive and takes on RF. So is the vertical like winding a wire around an aluminum pole? Any RF engineers can explain the consequences?
Awesome video-thanks again! Curious-could I use something like an Ed Fong or maybe a Hamstick clamped to this mast?
Would not be strong enough. Lightweight wire only and so worth the effort to build
I can see how this would work well with my packtennas, but I already have the sotabeams mast and the mfj 1917
If nothing is happening on the radio you could go fishing for awhile. Nice idea but a little to light for me. I use a coil with a whip for portable. Thanks for the video.
There are so many ways to have fun operating. Add fishing and no we are good to go.
Great video. I purchased some swimming pool poles that telescope and one of those orange stakes today at the hardware store to do something like this. I think you said this fishing pole converted gets to 20 feet high?
Correct, they are sold in varying heights.
I have this exact same pole andd it snapped in half once it sat in the sun for one day under the weight of my dipole. My dipole is constructed from plastic pipe fittings which might be too heavy for this pole, but still.. leave it on the sun all day and it will bend and crack. I have to find something stiffer and also small and portable. Fishing poles just dont seem they gonna last long imho.
Thanks for the video.. I see you are in my neighborhood… I have a place in spanish fork. K4NEW
Hey Jason, I made contact with you while you were in your plane on a winter field day near little moab around 2014 or 2015. I still have a video of that . I hope you're doing well.
@@hamradiowithkevin that's awesome, send a link to the video. if you can...
Very cool. What wire lengths are you using for the vertical configuration for both the vertical wire and radials?
Mostly for 20m. I start with 17 feet and trim to tune
I’m interested in this is gong rod. I like the idea of the vertical but can you use a 9:1 balun war the base where the black is ground and red on the mast ??
I use sotabeams mast.
I use a bicycle tube of various widths on my masts..
That is a great idea, never would have thought about that. I appreciate the share.
I use crappie poles but they're only 13 to 16 feet long and they work okay
Would you be able to give us the full specs on all your antennas?? Parts as well? (sorry for the ask)
I will give that consideration going forward. Trying to keep the videos from being too long. If I make a video that is specific for an antenna build and then I can call out all of the dimensions. Great question thanks
Being carbon fiber does it interact with the antenna throwing swr off? Specially in the vertical antenna config?
Have you checked for interaction comparing it to a pure fiber glass pole? Thanks!
I get that question a lot. If there is interaction, it is minimal. I have used these masts for years with no issues at all and throughly enjoy it. 👍
Did you ground it to your septic tank/master bedroom?
My secret is out! Now the tenkara rods will be sold out! Packtenna won't be happy either lol
Hi Kevin. I have used several fiberglass poles and one carbon fiber pole (Goture) from Amazon.
The carbon fiber pole interfered with any antenna I tried with it. I've sworn off of them as antenna masts. Fiberglass works just fine. No reason to change it in my opinion.
EDIT: looks like exactly the same one in your Amazon listing! I have warned people away from that product on purpose. Do you require a tuner to make your vertical work on the mast?
73 de VE3GKT
I had the same experience with a carbon fiber mast.
The mast with the vertical setup for 20 meters is always a 1.2:1 or less on every setup and never needed a tuner. It continues to be a great setup. Thanks for sharing your experience. 73
👀💯👍🙋♂
those chinese rod arent tenkera, its meant to fish crusian carp in pool. its called "herabuna".
I wonder if this fishing pole is strong enough to mount a Gopro on? If so, I think it would make a great poormans drone 😄.. For those places where you can not operate a drone this could be a great solution if you only need about 20 feet of hight. 😊
Great question jack, I will try that gopro setup for you. I might reduce it one section. It might be a little less than 20 feet. I will update you on how it works 💪
@@hamradiowithkevin Awesome! I'm thinking it should work as the pole was designed to pull in a fish. Though it might be too heavy and cause the pole to arch over. Humm Interesing how this experiment will turn out. Very excited to see the outcome of either success or failure. ☺
Don’t use duct tape. It’s too sticky and leaves residue. Get “gaffers tape”, made to hold but easily removed and leaves no residue. I use it more than duct tape now.
I use Gorilla duct tape on most of my ham radio stuff outdoors. I don't mind the residue build up for those situations. I have a guaranteed "stick" to whatever I am doing with that tape. Yes your right about gaffers tape for home use. For my harsh use cases outside, I have found Gaffers tape to not work as well for me. This could just be my experience.
ok they work but is real junk myne only lasted may be 1year it broke on the tight up friction joints never again only used maybe 6-9 times, total money wast
73 ,Pieter
A very good idea, 73 de G0VUF.