Spiderbeam 12M Telescopic Mast Review

Let's take a look at the Spiderbeam 12 meter mast and the many wire antenna's you can use it with. A very well built telescopic mast that will
last a long time.
Steve Ad4xt

[@shaundeane]

Terrific, very helpful and a real pleasure not to be talked down to. Thank you Steve, really will help me out.

[@hamradioportable1630]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching. Steve - Ad4xt

[@WilliamParmley]

That was a great video and an excellent product! Just a couple of observations that might be useful: 1. a couple of years ago I had mine up all winter long as the first support of a 160 meter wire antenna. I found that after extended exposure to the elements the bottom cap was quite weathered and cracked. I suggest that for extended deployment the bottom cap should be wrapped with tape to protect it from UV. 2. An alternate to the 4x4 post is a U-post (also called a U-channel post). Get a six foot post and drive it into the ground an appropriate amount, cover the bottom section of the mast with a piece of foam pipe insulation, and strap the mast to the post. For my all winter long deployment I also used the guy collar that they sell and attached four guy ropes.

[@hamradioportable1630]

Very good info William. Thanks for watching. Steve _ Ad4xt

[@WilliamParmley]

@Ham Radio Portable By the way, this reminded me about my bottom cap, so I ordered a replacement. $4.00 each, so I ordered two! Received today ($6.00 shipping). 😎

[@Roddy1965]

I have had mine up in a permanent installation since autumn 2020 in VE3 land, and we can get, and have had severe weather (either very low temps, -30C, more than 30C, and survived winter winds, and springtime storms including an infamous 'derecho' that blew through a year or so ago). They're tough and reliable. I have two and fully recommend.

[@hamradioportable1630]

Hey, that's good info to here. They are tough.

[@CigarsOnTheAir]

Just received the 10m version today. You're not kidding it is rock solid! I was looking to see how others are deploying this pole so thank you very much for sharing your information. Your video is helpful!! Cheers and 73!

[@tjstevens001]

Great idea! Dipoles look like they would work perfectly with this setup. Thanks!

[@andrewbrafferty]

Thanks for your efforts, Steve. In addition to a good review of the Spiderbeam pole, this video serves as a great primer on the use and benefits of a portable telescopic mast.

[@johndo7742]

Thanks Steve for the ideas. I have a 10 meter telescopic fibreglass pole and I was clueless on how to use it. Now I have some pointers.

[@sleeve8651]

Word to the wise, I just discovered that Vibroplex, who is Spiderbeam's U.S. dealer, offers a clamp set to keep them from collapsing back down into themselves ! For those that may choose a long term installation ! 👍😉

[@hamradioportable1630]

That's good info. Thanks - Ad4xt

[@dskentfield]

Great review and very informative, especially appreciated the detailed antenna explanations..Thank you for your time..

[@clauderay5344]

Thanks for the video on the big 12 meter mast, Steve. You mentioned the 7 meter Spiderbeam pole and I encourage you to get one soon. I have had mine for a few weeks and it's small collapsed length and light weight make it a great portable antenna support. AC4SH

[@hamradioportable1630]

Yes it is definitely on my short list. I'm spending most of my pota time on the upper bands. Thanks for watching. Steve

[@toms.7913]

Thanks for the review. I like the silicone wrapped clamps.

[@KT0DDW]

Bought one after watching this... PERFECT... you covered everything I needed to know about it. THANK YOU!!!

[@hamradioportable1630]

Good deal! You will enjoy. Steve- Ad4xt

[@kapapatence6423]

Thanks for the video....very instructive for us newbies. Cheers from TN.

[@McFOOe]

I've just taken one of my 🕷 12.5 Spiderpoles down after 5.5 years being secured with clamps, and it's as good as the day I put it up, bar a little fading. It's been up in 90 kph 💨🌩🌀💨 winds. I have it with 3 mid height 2mm cords and a short star picket strapped at the base. The Pole has been up and down 5 or 6 time for different antennas, and a second wired pole is used as a reflector. WORKS A TREAT 🎉over the pond to the States from OZ. FOO was Here. VK4F👀

[@mikestone9129]

I'm sold on it. Gonna go order me one tonight. 73ss

[@lf7961]

Silicone tubing…. Learn something every time. Thank you. Nothing but good comments when people talk about Spiderbeam. Review of antennas and drawings helpful.

[@hamradioportable1630]

Yeah it is. I had to work around the barking dog . Lol Thanks for watching.

[@laszlokovacs8827]

@@hamradioportable1630 Where do you get silicone tubing?

[@lf7961]

@@laszlokovacs8827 Rheem 6 ft. Plastic Silicone Condensate Drain Tube for Rheem Mid Efficiency Indoor Tankless Gas Water Heaters/Home Depot

[@u2fanforever1]

Received mine today. Gotta start looking for one of these bungee dodads. Just kidding. Nice video. Good point on keeping the base stable. 73

[@full_metal2452]

This is one of the greatest videos I’ve seen 👍👍

[@steveverhoef5667]

Love you hoa idea. Post going in this spring…

[@JayN4GO]

Tnx om. Hard to beat this pole. My tower is on the downhill slope in the backyard. I keep the pole in the front corner so I can run half square antennas. Another good thing to use is self amalgamating tape instead of clamps. Keeps it from collapsing on itself. I haven’t tried a vertical yet on it. I’d say it works well

[@kd5you1]

I've used mine for several different antennas... N9TAX roll up J pole at the top with RG8X coax, 10, 20, 40, 80 meter inverted V antennas with a LDG 1:1 balun, and an 84 foot random wire connected to an Icom AH-4 antenna tuner. I bought the version with the cotter pin glued inside the top section, and when I zip tied the LDG balun to the very top, the mast bent over about 2 feet from the center line. I started zip tying the balun to the bottom of the second section from the top and now it remains upright. 34 feet still isn't bad, but I would recommend zip tying the coax every other section of the mast to keep from having too much weight being pulled from the top. 73 KD5YOU

[@hamradioportable1630]

Great info John. I like your zip tying the coax to the mast idea to limit the stress of the RG8x coax. I have used tape or small pieces of paracord. Good feedback Here. Thanks Steve Ad4xt

[@kd5you1]

@@hamradioportable1630 You're welcome Steve. I noticed that if I zip tie the coax along the mast, I distribute the weight, but I see that it can benefit the coax as well. 73 KD5YOU

[@pdilan1]

⁰⁰⁰000

[@kapapatence6423]

I was wondering about the N9TAX roll up J pole with RG8X....thanks for the comment.. I need one for comms with a remote trail running event where one of the aid stations is down in a deep valley and has trouble getting signals there. Many thanks for the idea of zip ties along the coax..I deploy mine with Voile silicon straps which are reusable instead of zip ties. Cheers! N4YLA.

[@W9HJBill]

Nice video. I have the 10M Spiderbeam that I use for field days. I mainly went that way, because in the stowed position, it's a about 1/2 the length. I main use an EFHW with it.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

This pole is a legend Steve, I have 2 of them. I can even use it to support my 20m Moxon at reduced height. I also have the 10m version. Its not quite as HD but still very good.

[@forgetyourlife]

I hate how fat the 10m pole is. The 12m is much thinner.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you for the video and ideas.

[@mikeramsey9747]

Steve, the 12 meter Spiderbeam pole is actually 43 feet long, I use one as a EFHW inverted L 80m to 10m antenna. You make some very good suggestions .

[@Thomas-rl8kw]

I have a 20 meter vertical on mine with the feedpoint up about 16ft or so with 4 radials. Works really well. I had a z6bkw on it at one time but it stayed bent over. Didnt break though and i left it up for months like that.

[@hamradioportable1630]

Yea, it's one heavy duty mast. Steve Ad4xt

[@MrNathanChester]

Hi Steve.. only one thing I would recommend is to be not so strong when retracting the elements.. when I heard them hitting the ground it reminded me of why one of mine is damaged. When coming down they can hit each other and shatter the bottom of the bigger section if a smaller one had come through first. Don't forget they are fiberglass after all. Good video.

[@hamradioportable1630]

Thanks for that. I have added some extra foam padding inside the bottom cap. Steve

[@JulietNovember9]

Great Video! Thank you for the review.

[@brianf3996]

Thanks for the great video. I think I may try one of these to give 80 meters a shot, really appreciate the ideas on different antenna configurations. 73 - Brian / K4KB

[@9A4GEMilan]

Great idea! I have Spiderbeam 18 m long. I will make vertical for 80m that maybe can resonate on 40m as well. Regarding 160m, I can add coil + relay which will open/short circuit, so that it can resonate on 1.85 or 3.6 MHz (no coil=3.6 MHz, with coil=1.85 MHz). What you think? Oh, yes. Since I need 20 meters, I will add 1 meter aluminum rod, 3mm diameter at the top, and rise whole Spiderbeam 1m from the ground. Wire will go all the way to the ground, so this way it may resonate on 3.6 MHz. Radials will be added, but I have no much space in my backyard, so maybe 20m in one direction, 14m in all other directions.

[@giulianoggg2035]

Great video

[@radiioman46]

I'm looking for a fiberglass mast to hang my 2 meter slim jim Ladder line antenna. Which should be more than light enough to not cause a problem.

[@reidlanham2011]

Great video Steve, thanks! I like that it gives you so many options. 73, K8JLW

[@GregMckenzie-j6m]

great review thankyou

[@steveverhoef5667]

How far are you sending your signal at 40 feet with a efhw at 100 watts do you figure? Excellent video..

[@NamasenITN]

With the exception of the radials for the "vertical", you never mentioned any counterpoise for the other wire (EFHW) antennas. I understand that the coax itself might work as one, but would love to hear from you what you think.

[@hamradioportable1630]

Not really needed for a EFHW. Sometimes I will run short piece of wire to a ground stake.

[@cesarastiz9691]

Hi Steve, very nice video and that is a wonderful pole. Do you think it can hold a 2 el. 20m VDA?

[@hamradioportable1630]

Sounds too heavy. Best for wire antennas.

[@drewby4563]

Thank you sir 👍🏾

[@Mojomo777]

Thank you for sharing, very informative. 73

[@neilgettig2877]

Is it only good for a wire dipole?

[@hamradioportable1630]

maybe a small 2m beam a bit lower on the larger sections. I have seen that.

[@jimmyw9171]

I'm curious if you could wrap your antenna wire around the pole for the vertical?

[@michaelpoczynek]

Thanks! Ordered two of the 30' versions. All the best! VY2MJ. 😀

[@giulianoggg2035]

I.ve been off ham radio for 44 years! now I am coming back to it! I am about to setup a G5RV and I intended to use a Spiderbeam that I already bought but I have changed my mind! Now I want to hang the g5rv only at the ends of each leg. I was thinking on one end simply tied to a wall and the opposite end tied to a rope through a pulley with a rope tied to a brick so that it goes up and down when very windy. what do you think it should be ok even if not supported in the center?

[@hamradioportable1630]

Yes it should work as long as you have the window line off the ground where it connects to the coax. We used an antenna this weekend at winter field day .Zs6bkw which is very similar. The higher the connection point the better. Steve - Ad4xt

[@9999plato]

The top 3 sections tend to bend like fishing poles when deploying it as a sloper mast. It negates the top 10 feet or so. I only need to look 15 feet in front of me right now to see the sag on my 130 foot EFHW antenna. If you want a STRONG vertical antenna mast that will support a balun or somethjing with weight buy a DX Engineering fiberglass mast. They are 7' tall collapsed and very heavy. The normal one can support baluns or slopers with ease the HD version can probably support a large vertical VHF/UHF antenna (17 foot) or some other project. These masts are heavy and not very portable.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

I just got one!

[@hamradioportable1630]

Great!! , Enjoy.

[@tzm1843]

What would you use as a pole support on a flat roof, flat base with cement weights?

[@hamradioportable1630]

.5 gal. bucket of cement and guy wires. Be safe with whatever you choose. Safety first.

[@AlvinMcManus]

Spendy, but it looks like good value for the bucks. You can also cut an angle on a 2 ft piece of 2in or whatever diameter will be large enough ABS then pound that in the ground for a great pole base.

[@Rich_Pierik]

Great vid. Thanks.

[@johnallsopp8260]

Do you find after using the mast that the segments begin to stick 73 G4YDM

[@hamradioportable1630]

I don't have a problem with that.

[@johnallsopp8260]

@@hamradioportable1630 OK Thanks 73 de John G4YDM

[@todddibiasi4215]

Wonderful video. 73, KC1PSK

[@IAJeeper]

Nice video and great review. I especially liked the drawings, they were very helpful. I have the same mast and usually am able to bungee it to a fence post or camping post(where you put your tag that shows you paid), but have also had luck with a flag pole hitch mount. Matt - KE0TXC

[@hamradioportable1630]

Thanks, good info.

[@shawnp6653]

Good stuff Steve -- thanks for sharing! 73 de ki5gx

[@leespinner1815]

I use a telescoping paint pole

[@hamradioportable1630]

I have too in the past. A cheaper option. Longer and a bit on the heavy side. But hey, use whatever you can get that wire in the air. Steve - Ad4xt

[@WG7D]

Thanks for the review! Is it still working for you? Subscribed to your channel ! 73,WG7D

[@hamradioportable1630]

Still working, It gives lots of options. Around home or portable.

[@RobertMacCready]

Live in an HOA so this Spiderbeam 12M has tweaked my interest. Thanks for doing the review. de KQ1K