DIY Ham Radio Antenna Mast

[@jozyphilyaw9339]

Awsome to see a dad and son do something together

[@roramosv]

Good job, Ben! Nice dad-son work! Congratulations and thanks for sharing. Kind regards from Chile 🇨🇱

[@davidmack5021]

Well done gentlemen you are truly Hams

[@markscott5699]

Job you did looks like it will work great for you for years to come. Have a good time out there dxing. Mark Shelby North Carolina

[@horstjaeger2569]

Wondeful how father and son work together!

[@FreeStuffGuy916]

N6EF-Hats off to Benjamin. That's a slick idea. Great job.

[@reidlanham2011]

Great father/son job! Hope it works well for you. 73, K8JLW

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thanks! We should have an antenna up on it very soon! (yagi and vertical are in the works)

[@berndkonemann5049]

Very nice, I would most likely have attached a pully for easier control of your clever sledge, as there will be wight on it and may rattle down faster than I can control. This being said, I think I may use your basic concept and modify it. I also like very much how you are forming this young man into a very good person. 73 to you lot Bernd VA2VFF

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Yes, the use of a pully to help minimize the speed at which it descends would be beneficial. We've built two different antennas and put them up and taken them down a half dozen times for calibration and modification. The sledge has worked well, but is a bit scary when coming down with a yagi on it. We know that it can't possibly go anywhere, and as long as we aren't standing right underneath, the forces at work won't break anything, but it is still a guillotine looking device coming down. If you build a version of this, please come back and let us know how it came out. 73 AC3DS and KC3RPH

[@kenrnet6706]

Nice teamwork and building memories - priceless !!

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thank you! The snow is piled high on the roof at the moment, so we aren't doing any antenna changes right now, but with his newly acquired HF privileges, he is looking forward to using this mast more often on HF instead of VHF/UHF.

[@jolebole-yt]

Very good concept. Nicely done

[@dark30welderwelding11]

Great father/son project!

[@jimsmith1166]

That's a good design Benjamin and fun to watch you guys build it. Nice video production too! Have fun operating with the variety of antennas. I look forward to see what you come up with.

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thank you! I will have a lot of fun with it. We've already put up a vertical and yagi, both worked... kinda... more to come soon! I'm learning a lot. 73 - KC3RPH

[@ryoseta4757]

Splendid idea! 😮

[@ReedAB8AS]

Well done guys. Great design.

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thanks! We are looking forward to putting it work and seeing how it pans out.

[@tribecop]

Thanks. Darn nice design.

[@racebannon3498]

Agree with D Macks comments - - Keep up the good work!

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thanks, we will gladly keep it up!

[@johnbauman4005]

Pretty cool! Thanks for the ideas. How did you ground it? John/KK7JBZ

[@ugsisr]

Great work.... Lots of work but Hey! It works ! Thanks 73

[@stefanrudorfer4317]

Great Idea and doing well. Nice video hope to see more from you both. 73 from Germany DO9STJ

[@ky4tgtodd203]

Good job guys! Nice build! 🤠👍🏻

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thanks so much! We certainly had fun building it.

[@tallyjbud]

Nice job gentlemen!

[@thomasweeks426]

Nice job Be! If you don't mind paying a few more bucks, then a 80/20 1010 rail would have worked nicely (smooth channel, not as much work cutting a channel). You solution looks like that might be a good solution for omnis, but It looks like too much wind slop for a tight beam yagi.

[@clasicos2006]

Good work! 73 from argentina

[@gerimunday5409]

Brilliant! Well done.

[@Pascal-F11DRE]

Excellente idée de réalisation. Félicitations Best regards 73's to France

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Merci! 73 - AC3DS and KC3RPH

[@chrispierce2942]

Nice. Could have done a stop at the top, attach a rope to the eyelet along with a long spring and pull the rope from the ground to raise it and tie off the rope. To lower, untie it and let the spring pull it back down. Good build though

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. A great video. N0QFT

[@rickeaton5288]

Nice job guys. Keep it up.

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Will do! We have a few in the process that we are eager to finish and share.

[@ehayes5217]

While certainly a great DIY project, to me at least, the work required seemed a bit excessive & even complicated for a mast that's bracketed to the house; however, not being able to visualize the antenna(s) that'll be on it might give me a different perspective; for me, I'd just get a mast & bracket to the house, using a pulley at the top (for wire antennas) &/or maybe even a telescopic mast (say, for VHF/UHF); but again, a really nice looking system but wonder if it's a little overkill(?)--tnx & 73

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Good points. I’m very glad that you wrote this feedback. You are correct that this may be a bit overkill, and not necessarily the simplest of designs. We agree that this is probably not a design that most would want to replicate, and the labor involved is somewhat excessive. This design was chosen for a few reasons: 1) While we don’t believe that the design is unique, we didn’t find an example quite like it and so perhaps it adds something to the general good, even if just an idea that shouldn’t be replicated and a video to show why. 2) The ability to come up with an idea and push through hard work to see it come to fruition brings with it certain advantages. It was worth it for Benjamin to be able to see his idea realized. 3) it affords the opportunity to revise and revamp the existing design. 4) it used almost all existing hardware. No doubt there are better options out there. Again, thank you for the feedback. 73!

[@guitstikkustoms4448]

@@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045 plus it reinforced the creativity of a newly licensed Amateur. Keep creating, keep learning, keep growing 73 KI5OUH.

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

ABSOLUTELY! I'm so glad that you said that. Creativity, engineering, tinkering and making go together beautifully and the more these can be encouraged the better. Thank you for your encouragement. 73 AC3DS

[@ehayes5217]

Yes, a great DIY for a newer ham, requiring creativity & perhaps even generating different perspectives in which to view other future projects--well done! 73 de WA4ELW in TN

[@wild-radio7373]

This is awesome!! 🤜🏻👍🤛🏻

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thank you! We are having fun with it and it is working out well.

[@thahiraumer7236]

Lovely video, both of you are enjoying on what you are doing. Keep it up. DE VU2TAH tAha. From Kerala India

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thanks Thahir. We just checked out your QRZ page and your hex beam looks amazing! With no video or links on your QRZ page, we googled TAHABEAM and found a video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6vYoIeXf6llqZI) on the Mars Malabar site which lead to a different KZbin account. You must be very proud of your creation. It looks like a wonderfully designed and well crafted antenna. You should keep building and sharing more of what you are up to. 73 - AC3DS and KC3RPH

[@thahiraumer7236]

@@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045 thanks for very encouraging reply. In KZbin video, it is my second version of HEX BEAM. Latest version is little different. Please visit hamphotos.com. My home brewed HEX BEAM used in 5 - 6 different countries. Mostly in middle east, all were picked by hand. Search VU2TAH in KZbin, my previous call sign was VU3TAH.

[@jamescopeland5358]

Very good

[@DynoDieselWagon]

Bright young engineer ! Copyright ©️ that quick !!!

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

:) Indeed he is. I'd love to have him get a patent or copyright someday - he has some genuinely decent ideas. This one has turned out to be quite useful and productive. We've had several antennas up and down for testing and it still runs smoothly. No complaints!

[@daveengstrom9250]

You could have made that cut in the pipe in about 5 minutes with a table saw and a metal cutting blade.

[@elioalcala4371]

Great team

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thanks! We've built a few antennas and put them up together. It has been a lot of fun.

[@dwaynehoffmann8538]

Great idea!!!

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thanks! We put it to work today with a home built 2m / 70cm vertical dipole. The mast worked like a champ. Getting the antenna down and back up after making some adjustments was easy.

[@forgetyourlife]

I would have climbed the 2nd roof on a dry day or simply unbolted the pipe from the brackets on a wet day to work on the antenna.

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

More power to you sir. I get more than a bit uncomfortable on that pitch. To each their own. So far the adjustable mast has worked out really well. We've put up and taken down different antenna builds dozens of times. It is perfect for experimentation. If we were going to leave a particular antenna up more or less permanently, I woudn't us this, but for testing it is great.

[@joesapp2798]

COOL!

[@Fantazier1]

Could you not have used a flag pole design to get your platform up and down?

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Good question, and yes. Having a flagpole pulley system should work, and it is something we are looking to add on to it. We are actually looking at adding two pulleys in order to be able to add a horizontal dipole as well. The system does work just fine, even with a fairly heavy pvc yagi, butter pulleys would be better. Version .02 of the iterative design process coming soon!

[@scottdean8576]

Ben, try knee pads. Easier and softer on the knees.

[@creative27feb]

👍💕🙏

[@madjack8893]

Heya! New sub ! ☘️73

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thanks for joining the party!

[@patoborq]

Great job. Congrats & 73 de ca3pdb

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thank you! AC3DS & KC3RPH

[@piquat1]

That pipe is galvanized, the bracket is coated with something. If you're a new welder, don't breath that. You can screw up your lungs for life in an instant.

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thank you Piquat1, excellent advice worth sharing. We were aware of the potential dangers of welding galvanized steel, and while we didn't show it, we had certain safety precautions in place: When welding indoors at the vice, we used a respirator and hood for ventilation. Outside we used a respirator and fan to blow the fumes away. It is possible to remove the Zinc via a salt/vinegar, or muriatic acid, though admittedly we didn't do that. Safety is very important and with proper planning, knowledge, and training/experience, you can live to make good decisions another day. Thanks for adding to the community knowledge! 73, AC3DS

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

for no more taller than it is, why not just make it fold down with a pivot at the base? way less work, but i guess thats half the fun sometimes.

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

like coz your name :) GB :)

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

Thanks, we get a good chuckle out if it as well.

[@Dennis35793]

too much

[@transmittinguntilrobotsrep1045]

You are right, this may be a bit overkill, but it is still working just fine and has served us well so far. We've taken down and put up antennas at least 15 times just experimenting. Hopefully we'll find a better solution sometime in the near future that will allow us to do another build. :)