How to deploy a portable antenna mast for Summits on the Air

This Summits on the Air activation is the third of the day, just outside Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument north-east of Flagstaff. Chris K7TAB and I hike to the top of Peak 7711 W7A/CS-031 worth 13 points due to Winter Bonus Season. While on top I discuss how I deploy my portable antenna mast, which is a fishing pole, and offer a few pointers.
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Full audio of the CW QSO's can be downloaded here: drive.google.c...
Gear List
Black Widow Antenna Mast amzn.to/3s3uLq5
Nite Ize Gear Tie amzn.to/3s5tSgP

[@doghouse94087]

This video was valuable to me as you showed two ways of how you deploy your antenna. The tip for using the clips at the end of the wire are great and less time consuming than what I have been doing. I also like that you decode your activation so I can see how far off my decoding is. Thanks for the great video.

[@RedSummitRF]

I am so grateful for this comment. Mostly because it was such a positive one. This is why I make them. Thank you so much!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Great antenna. Great activation!

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks David. It was fun 👍

[@AD6DMDennis]

Great activation, as usual! I like the 1440p60 resolution, so smooth. 73, Red!

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Dennis - still experimenting with settings with mixed results. Next video was filmed in flat color so I could color grade myself. Not easy, even with a few different luts I can't get it right. 🤦‍♂️

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

@@RedSummitRF why fix something that is not broken

[@KR7RK]

Another great video Charlie! Looks like a nice summit, glad you and Chris had a good activation.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Keith - thanks! Appreciate it. Was fun. Hopefully recording a Wasson Peak activation this Friday. Any pointers for that hill?

[@walshgeo]

Great video. I like the scenery. Thanks for the tips on putting up the mast and dipole antenna. 73 George KB3WAQ

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi George - thank you so much. Glad you found it useful. Catch you on the airwaves! 73

[@alvarogaitan2529]

good job Charly 73 terrific video my friend thanks from kb2uew

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks again.

[@willian.direction6740]

Great activation Charlie and Chris the qrp/p qso's must have been a nice surprise for Chris. Maybe a type 43 toroide wound with your feed line up near the antenna might help with the feed back. Bit of messing around to cut off coax wind toroide then solder coax back on.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Ian - yeah that toroid would do the trick all right. Funny thing is I don't get feedback on that particular antenna very often. You never know how the landscape might affect the antenna, right?

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Great video great activation good job thanks 73 and good dx good luck forever

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Alvaro - thank you. Good DX. 73

[@mikebohemia1947]

Thanks, really useful. 73.

[@RedSummitRF]

Cool. Thanks Mike!

[@brianve7jyd943]

thanks Charlie - sur appreciate the cw banner - 73 VE7JYD

[@RedSummitRF]

Cool! Thanks Brian.

[@DE2TRF]

Top Video 73 de DE2TRF

[@RedSummitRF]

Really appreciate you watching. 73 🤘

[@RC-Heli835]

That's some interesting looking country out there. Looks like bear country.

[@RedSummitRF]

😂 I'm sure there are bear around, although I've never seen one there. Thanks for watching.

[@mholzer54]

Hey Gents. I noticed your comments about the sidetone sounding weird. I had the same problem many years ago. It was RF coming down the coax. Just make a "coax choke" and the issue should subside. It did for me. On another note, I just completed my own rendition of a 49:1 UNUN for doing what you're doing. So I tested it today and on 20M, It was 1.5:1 through the band. I also got one of those fishing rods (7 meters) so I am getting ready to try out POTA and/or SOTA, but I haven't been active for quite a while. Where can I get the resourced I need to learn about the on the air process? I am good in QRZ if you would not mind sending me an email with where to start. Best 73, Marc, N6UNX

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Marc - I apologize for the late reply. I've been working through a bunch of comments. Thanks for the info about the side tone. This is a good recommendation and I will try the "coax choke" next time it happens out in the field. I'm super appreciative of that tip. Sounds like you are gearing up well for your field ops adventures. I'll send you an email and we can chat that way. I could also get on a Zoom, Discord, Teams chat with you at some point if you want. Look for my email in the next few hours.

[@usernamemykel]

Please explain the construction and use of the "traps", thank you.

[@RedSummitRF]

In this video I don't have traps on my antenna. They are just mechanical links using spade connectors. . . . or maybe I misunderstand the question???

[@usernamemykel]

@@RedSummitRF Yes, the mechanical links is what I meant (sorry) - how do they function, please?

[@RedSummitRF]

When all links are connected the length of the dipole antenna is resonant in the 60 meter band, when the set of links furthest from the top are disconnected, the length of the antenna is shortened and is resonant on the 40 meter band, and so forth as you go up the legs of the dipole. I just unplug each set for the band I want.

[@usernamemykel]

@@RedSummitRF And you determined at what lengths to make the links for each band by checking the SWR while unfolding the antenna wire?

[@RedSummitRF]

@@usernamemykel I tuned each length to the frequency I like .... 5.332, 7.033, 10.110, 14.063 etc. in my backyard. Even though they are tuned to those frequencies, the antenna works across most of the band, with slightly worse SWR. Example, 14.063 is 1:1.1 and 14.325 is 1:2 ... yes the length is determined by SWR.

[@edrudolph1]

Which mast do you use?

[@RedSummitRF]

Well, that would have been a good piece of info to include in the video. Thanks for asking. It's a 20' B'n'M Black Widow Crappie fishing rod from Bass Pro Shop, $25. www.basspro.com/shop/en/bnm-black-widow-crappie-rod

[@eddy2561]

Sorry, but a 1/3 of the video should be edited out so we can get directly to the subject of masts.

[@RedSummitRF]

Not really. I disagree. My audience likes the hiking, scenery and radio operation in addition to tips and topics. There are plenty of other channels out there that have what you are looking for. Thanks for visiting anyway. I hope you return if you want to enjoy the whole journey of a SOTA activation.

[@carareto]

Tks share. Subscrived. 73 py2vm

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Carlos - thank you so much for subscribing. I appreciate your support. I have a new video coming out this week!

[@gaptastic]

brothers and bb guns are not a good mix

[@RedSummitRF]

Indeed! It seems most people in the US have had a similar experience, including myself.