Cheap Tilt-Over Antenna Base - Why Didn't I Think of This?

[@JReed305]

That gift from Theresa just put a smile one my face. How cool is that!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Awe yeah! :)

[@PatAutrey]

Before long the DX Commander will build itself, tune itself, guy itself, turn on your radio, And make your breakfast! It is awesome to see all of these improvements keep rocking buddy!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

That's the plan!

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

That's a great idea for a tilt over! Very useful when you are solo operating and no help is on hand. So kind of Theresa to make and send the cross stitch for you, must have taken her hours and shows you are loved all round the world. That can't be bad! 😁

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes - amazing :)

[@ylthreezadw3trz575]

Thanks for the mention Our Amazing Cal 🎉... Happy weekend! 👍 Mabuhay 73!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

AWE! YOU ARE SO AMAZING - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@ryanjones9305]

Always tinkering, always messing with something.....that’s what this hobby is supposed to be about. Good show!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks!

[@MountainRaven1960]

I made a cheap tilt-over for my Hustler 6-BTV. Made from two 42mm gal-steel pipes. One pipe is concreted into the ground, the other holds the antenna making sure that the antenna is as far at the top of the pipe/end cap as possible. Both are bolted together. When I need to lower it, just remove the bottom bolt, and the top bolt acts as the pivot. It’s cheap, effective, and strong as. Simple and elegant.

[@ferdinandwp4rjl377]

Great idea Lord CALLUM, 👍🏼👋🏼

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks for the visit!

[@TheCrunchbird]

Great idea for a tall tilt over vertical. N2SN in sunny Florida (ex G4FEB) from Feltham, Greater London.

[@edkretchmer2167]

For lighter masts, the J mount DirecTV and Dish mount your satellite dish on work too. And free

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

I'm going to do do this at the ranch in texas to take down the mast in a storm, preferably before. I'm mounting it like I did on my shack in AZ, a few minor differences, but similar.

[@DukeDave1]

Thank-you Callum. Another good video thank-you.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Very welcome!

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Scaffolding stuff is great for making towers too makes climbing a ton easier too maybe supports more wind loading, looks can be a factor ☺️

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, I made a 60-foot tilt-over once.

[@richarde735]

they use the swivel for chain link fencing as well… farm supply store may have the larger ones.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah - OK!

[@MW6PNW]

Absolute great idea. Thanks Cal.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah!

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

Thats awesome Callum!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah :)

[@jest.s50si83]

Heii Call! Nice one ageine 👍👏 Regrads from Slovenia 🇸🇮

[@NickFrom1228]

Most interesting device. You could even drill a hole or two through it to help support it while up. Drill a hole all the way through while it is in whatever position you want and stick a pin or bolt through it and presto, instant hold. Would make getting your guy wires up a tad easier.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes maybe!

[@Yankw-vj9ds]

Thank you for the suggestion. If the pipe is smaller than the swivel you can sleeve the pipe to fit in the swivel 73s all Happy Friday all

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah, could do. But it's not "structural" so not too important.

[@mikeoswald8053]

Great idea, just when I'm putting up my DX Commander in my new Florida QTH. Thank you Cal! AA7MO

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Have fun!

[@pa3fat]

Have a led tl bar which also can be chained at Action. Lot’s of light and easy mounting clips.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah!

[@pa3fat]

Baltimore seems the brand. In the shack under the board mounted

[@cutrer01]

Brilliant idea!

[@NinaHicken]

I currently have a single 20ft scaff pole with antennas on top. Currently the ground is taking the weight and it is held up using two heavy duty wall clamps (like tv antenna brackets) This keeps the weifht on the ground and the pole secure. Only problem I have is it’s a nightmare to get down. I think If I put on of these on it. Bolted to the ground. Means the ground still takes weight. But I can unclamp it and then winch it down.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

At home, I winch mine down by hand with a 6:1 pulley.

[@deanbrusky784]

I use that exact piece and 20 ft of pipe to support my cobweb antenna. I tilt it up and it anchors to my house.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Perfect!

[@ThePowelly999]

Hi Callum, a couple of weeks ago you mentioned something about a guy-less DX Commander but I must have missed what it was all about, any further info on it maybe? Thanks, MW7 CZY (the light house keeper of old Abergavenny town)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Soon... Please hang on.. SUper-busy with new website, Fedex/DHL integration and a ton of other stuff...

[@K5YVY]

I was 👍 #450 and I approve genius cheap ideas like this!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha Joe - yeah it's an easy one this time! :)

[@bassmanjr100]

Dude, another accessory for your antennas. You should put together a kit that you know works and sell it. People are short on time and will happily pay for convenience. Best Regards!!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Noted!

[@andythebrave]

Been using similar for 10 plus years

[@piquat1]

8" of rope, 8" of a wooden broom stick handle. That's all I used, already had it laying around, most people do. You can use a wooden dowel, piece of PVC, whatever. It tilts over in multiple directions and you can remove it in an instant. Drill a hole in the wooden dowel (or whatever you're using) and tie one end of the rope to it. Tie the other end to the ground mount you made. Could use one of those dog chain anchors that screw into the ground if you want. Dowel should have about 3-4" of play when you're done. Lay the bottom of the pole, cap off, next to the dowel and push the dowel into the bottom of the pole. Go lift the middle of the antenna. The dowel will bind sideways and keep the bottom of the pole on the ground. As long as you have lateral pressure on the pole, which you will when raising and lowering the antenna, the dowel isn't going anywhere. The bottom of the pole isn't going anywhere. I've used this in pretty high winds. 1/4" rope and 1" dowel is solid.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

And why not :)

[@CrittendenIV]

You rule! Thanks Callum and team. :) Sincerely, KJ7NUX

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you so much!

[@TheShawna1]

I used a hardware store Caster wheel base. "remove wheel" and replace with EMT conduit of the needed diameter, and mounted it to a steel plate My cheap version still in service 14 years on supporting a Military Aluminium tube antenna at 22 feet.jim KB1PFL

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Lovely!

[@W9HJBill]

Great suggestion! I wonder if you could make an adapter insert for that, say 48mm on the side that goes into the hinge, and then have it say 6" long and the OD be the same as the ID of the DX Commander you are inserting it into. I did that on the 3" pole I concreted into the ground that used to hold my Hustler antenna but now holds my DX Commander 12.4 Signature.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Honestly, the diamaters don't matter. So long as it doesn't wobbly about too much.

[@dondonaldson1684]

There is an easy way and that is to use a brass bushing, and use a larger size scaffold coupler than your stub pole. The bushing adapts the inside diameter of the scaffold coupler to the outside diameter of the stub.

[@ohyeawhosurpoppy]

Good catch.

[@scottjohnson3226]

Love the QSL card!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes - sweet..!

[@Soggytiri]

Thank you! Exactly what I wanted to see…

[@DXCommanderHQ]

So glad!

[@FromthehamshackwithNJ4Z]

frame it and put it on the wall brother... amazing work.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good idea John!

[@countrichardvonfalconstein5095]

Great idea!73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, if in USA, check out public handrail suppliers.

[@2m0kiescotland]

Very cheap great idea cal 👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

SMOKIE! :)

[@ferdinandwp4rjl377]

Very nice 👍🏽😁

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@steve_niceguy]

great idea... any idea what they call it? I'm searching for one but can't find it on line because I don't know how to describe it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Try hand-rail connectors or scaffolding connectors.

[@n0vty873]

Great idea!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I think so too!

[@sleeve8651]

Another great cheap tilt over, can be made from a simple Gate hinge ! One like you might find on a pasture gate ! Simply attach the hinge to the base of the antenna, and using all thread and a few nuts to attach the all thread to the hinge, drive the all thread into the ground as your anchor point, and stand your vertical in place, and secure with appropriate guy lines ! Easy Peasy ! Oh...and did I say, " CHEAP " ? 👍😉

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Great tip!

[@sleeve8651]

@@DXCommanderHQ Thanks ! '73 !

[@StianEklund]

Brilliant!

[@kevinblair191]

Good video Sir! You gave me a good idea doing a tilt over base, so I am going to run with it. Need to pick yours and whomever else would loke to chime in. I recently got a good deal on an A99 and want to get it in the air safely and make it wind safe. Thought about putting a 4x4x6 treated post in the ground with cement and am looking at using chain link top rail 10.5 2x's for a total of 21ft. attaching the A99 to that. How many feet in ground would the wood post need to be to keep the mast sturdy and stand up to wind? I live in SC and we can have wind gust up to 40mph average throughout the year sometimes. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and keep the videoa coming! 73's from 191 SC.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hello.. That'll work, I'm sure. You will probably need 30 inches into the ground, possibly more depending on terrain. Have you considered a scaffold pole on home-brew a tilt base instead? Roughly same hight.

[@kevinblair191]

@@DXCommanderHQ I did look at scaffold poles! May go that way instead. Thanks!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

@@kevinblair191 BTW.. Sailboard/ Windsurf masts fit OVER scaffold poles nicely...!

[@MRLL9292]

Could I please have the exact name for this thing. Or a link to the website please.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Look for a scaffolding handrail connector sales website.

[@MRLL9292]

@@DXCommanderHQ As always, You are a gentleman.

[@MRLL9292]

@m0mcx Apparently, the technical term for it is a "swivel flange connection."

[@TRSpectre]

Hi Callum, how does one get hold of you regarding distribution opportunities of the DX Commander in other countries?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You can email me. BUT the short answer is this: In USA, because it's under $800, there is no sales tax and no import duty. If we shipped to a distributor, each consignment would be over $800, triggering the whole tax regime. Further, we are shipping to most parts of the world, within 3-days for about $45. Difficult!

[@samcgill]

What would this bracket actually be called so that I can search for it on scaffolding supply web sites?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Look for scaffolding handrails

[@Pootycat8359]

I believe they are also sold as bases for flag poles. A salesperson at a hardware store should know what it is, if you describe it.

[@samcgill]

@@Pootycat8359 Thanks I will investigate

[@J123G]

Google "swivel flange"

[@hemitj]

Genius!

[@stevejohnson1321]

Looks akin to a flag pole bracket, though those are usually smaller diameter.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You can also find these by searching for "metal hand rail connectors"

[@darrellcollins877]

Good info! Thanks

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Any time!

[@andye2005]

Another option, a short length of scaffold pole in the ground. add a swivel scaffold clamp (cost about 3 -4 pounds job dome. If you want a locking type mount, make the pole a little longer and use two swivel clamps separated by a foot or so. Andy

[@vivek-1318]

Awesome

[@kencampagnolo5014]

this is going to sound silly but what are they actually called? if I want to google or find them on ebay...... it's hard to buy or research something if you don't know the name of the thing your actually looking for...... I'm from Australia if that matters.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, look for firstly "Key Clamp" then afterwards, "Scaffolding Connectors" or "Hand Rail" connectors.

[@clintonhunter6821]

I wonder if you could rig it up so it stays at a 45 degree angle or similar and turn your dx commander into a NVIS antenna.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Clinton, a couple years ago, I layed one on the ground and had a few contacts on 80m and 40m :)

[@jerrystunes]

Can somebody tell me where I can purchase this for a part number or where to order I like this idea and I'd like to get some feedback if possible thank you community

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Try "hand rail suppliers" or "scaffolding connectors"

[@dieseldes6578]

Cal, I can confirm from personal experience, that these are sufficient for 1 steel 48mm scaffold pole, about 21 feet. These ARE NOT sufficient for 2 poles end on end, 42 feet..... It broke during the force of pulling/pushing the pole up. :) GI0UTE

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Woah!! Good learning curve!

[@stevejohnson1968]

Is there a part number or where to be found?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

It's easier to so a search on your fav search engine for "scaffolding and handrail connectors" - they'll show up in your location.

[@dodgydd]

Shims made from coke cans make great 'slack taker uppers'. (other drink manufacturers are available).

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Pepsi! :)

[@adriancressy8363]

maybe I am a little dense.....I watched this video several times and never heard of the name of that swivel device. I know it has something to do with scaffolding. thanks

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, search for scaffolding or "handrail" connectors.

[@problemwithauthority]

Callum, I seem tp prefer the shop lighting. It plays well with informal/relaxed feel of your videos.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Just strip lights right now.. I want is VERY natural but easier to film.. But I hear you.

[@DonzLockz]

Brilliant! Top tip of the day!👍... not the top Twitt.😆 RIP Twitter!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Tip of the day. Like it..!

[@gorillamotors]

What are those tilt over mechanisms actually called?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Look for hand-rail connectors.

[@chazwozza67]

Key clamp/kee Klamp fitting

[@martirjd]

What is one of these?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

A thing

[@markramsay6399]

Nice video Cal. Mark. 2E0MSR

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks 👍

[@Rushgamer-yw3lm]

Where is a American source for this ?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Don;t know.. Search for hand rail connectors.

[@slincolne]

That 'workshop' is clearly a fake - it's way too neat ! I'll bet that Callum's real workshop is in another room where there the camera never goes :-)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHAHA!!!

[@AndrewBryantPianoTuner]

That is too posh! I use scaffold poles :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

haha

[@TR6Telos]

Why don't you put in for a military contract, they throw money at you and it will keep you busy!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I'm happy in my world.. Good idea though.

[@edcozart9916]

As always good stuff and enjoy the kudos from around the world Callum you deserve it de W9US

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Tnx Ed!

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. A nifty device. N0QFT

[@DXCommanderHQ]

So simple :)

[@walesunt]

Nice 1, and what a great qsl package you rx from DW3TRZ 👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes it was!