Which Pole do you need for Ham Radio?

[@boxingday11]

Thanks Collin, good upload. Yes , I agreed with you that the Spiderbeam poles are in a league of their own, I have two 18 meter, and two 12meter poles that I use, the one 18 meter pole has been at the center of a 160m doublet for five years now. I must say it's guyed at two points, but it has survived some pretty bad weather over the years, but keeps going strong. All the very best regards.👍

[@hugovdz]

Thanks for usefull info. You might also have a look at the DX wire masts. They rods are 1.5 mm thick, making it a very sturdy mast that hardly moves in the wind. You can even mount a rotator on it at 5 meters height.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

I think I give Peters masts a mention at the end of this video? Yes very good masts. I would have if I had peeronal experience with them.

[@The0nionKnight]

Can't go wrong with the Spiderbeam 12m. I love mine to death.

[@timstanton6431]

You provide great service to the amateur radio community. Thank you for your work.

[@wushock92]

Thanks, Collin. Makes me rethink using a 7 meter extending painter's pole. Then again, I need the painter's pole to paint the second story window frames. LOL

[@PaulM0XLO]

Colin, very helpful indeed, thank you. I'm looking to put up a vertical doublet, 10m total height. The DX commander looks good enough, and also the Spiderbeam. There won't be any lateral force at the top, only half way down at the feed point, so I should think either of these will do nicely. I'll guy it as well. Many thanks!

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Not sure what your doublet centre would be but I would opt for the Spiderbeam or DX Commander signature 12.4. The DXC 12.4 has marginally thicker walls.

[@PaulM0XLO]

@@MM0OPXFieldRadio Thanks for the thought. My doublet centre would be halfway up at most, possibly offset a little downwards, due to effect of ground on the electrical length of the lower leg. I had pretty much decided that the Spiderbeam would be better than the reviewed DX pole, given it's thicker construction and also height, which would enable me to get the lower leg well above ground level. I hadn't come across the 12.4m DX pole though, so thank you for suggesting it. I will go with one or other of the 12m poles; with a weight of 3.95kg, the DX 12.4 is as you say slightly thicker walled than the 3.3kg Spiderbeam. I think I can also put some sort of a guy line on the opposite side of the ladder line feed, so hopefully should be good. I'm planning on transforming my existing 20m horizontal doublet into a 10m vertical doublet, to better receive vertically polarised groundwave (so relatively local) transmissions, and am content to lose the existing 80m capability that my existing antenna gives me. 40m, 20m 10m etc I think will do me fine.

[@mikes6844]

Spiderbeam by far the best, also have the DX Commander kit plus the cheaper 7 metre variations. All do a good job as long as long as you understand their limitations. Use the DX Commander more for portable EFHW use and occasionally in the ¼ wave vertical kit format. Spiderbeam for your kit. Don’t use antenna that require radials when out portable as people always find out where I am and radials become a liability. I tend to keep /p working as simple as possible and compact as possible. Great useful review 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@tixilx]

Hi Mike …. Interesting post and advice … I need to erect a half size G5RV / inverted V configuration possible long term … Could I ask what poles you’d recommend I buy ? Luckily I have a 2.5m secure fence post that I can strap the center support pole to - 73 Gerry

[@nvrumi]

I have the SOTAbeams 7000 HDS mast in my inventory. It is used a lot for dipoles and various end fed wire antennas. Dipoles are generally hung from the top off the second section as the top section is a little thin for the weight. The joint between the two top sections makes an excellent point to affix various end fed wires as well. I also have the 10m travel mast. It seems too flimsy for a balun but works fine for wires and I often hang an end fed wire in an inverted L configuration using this mast. It works great for an end fed random wire as a quick deploy antenna, particularly if a fence post or other permanent structure is available to strap the mast to. The 12m Spiderbeams mast is THE BEAST. I don’t use it enough. I need to change that. A buddy sent me a linked dipole and a small pulley that could be hung from the top of the second section of this mast. That would make changing the links trivial. Now that I have a drive-on base, I think I’ll take this mast out and put it to work at a POTA deployment. Great video. I’m looking for a source for the Windjammer and Life’s a Breeze masts on this side of the pond. 73 de AG7TX

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Thanks for the comments. I have just bought a 10m lifes a breeze pro pole and its brilliant for the money. Not as HD as the SB but still great.

[@2E0LMI]

SmartBreeze is cheap and cheerful. 8m are less than £20 and good for vertical end fed half wave wire or coax dipoles for 10 and 11m. Only use for temporary setups though as above 25mph winds they bend a lot. Their 10m version is only a few pounds more.

[@M0JBM]

Great video. The old dx commander I bought a few yrs back the pole was a "Spirit of Air" (look it up on fleebay) with a dx commander sticker over it ;o) it worked great for a few yrs then it gave up the ghost. I think a spiderbeam will be the next 1 ;o)

[@M0JBM]

@DX Commander yep and I'm using my old spirit of the air pole as a replacement for the dx commander and a spider beam pole for the adjustiwave. 2 very different types antenna. Take calum and keep up the good work your doing.

[@mikestone9129]

I have the Spiderbeam 12m pole and like you said, it's the Rolls Royce of masts. This thing is awesome and is worth every dollar.

[@RonanCantwell]

Great video. Decathlon sell a decent 5m telescopic pole for £15. They used to have a 6m for £19, which I have a couple of. Excellent value for money. The 5m is listed as: LAKESIDE-1 TRAVEL 500 TELESCOPIC STILL FISHING ROD 5M

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

For the money, you can't beat it. Chuck it away if it breaks.

[@RonanCantwell]

@@MM0OPXFieldRadio absolutely although I've had them two years and they've not broken.... yet....

[@turinskiboy]

Thankyou Colin. After watching your presentation, I got the impression that LAB products look to be good value because of their sturdiness. The fact that the 10 metre pole is always out of stock indicates they are popular. I see the Professional series are currently back in stock, except the 10 M pole, so it pays to watch their website for updates. The killer for VK's is the additional freight charges, but I believe they are still good value because of their quality.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

They are a real hidden gem. It's a shame as they will be made in the far east too th their spec. If you email and ask to be notified when stock will return, they will give you a heads up email just before they are added to the website.

[@phils2180]

I've been using a 10m telescopic GRP Vine Antennas pole from LAMCO and been well pleased with it. It's a strong pole with 50mm/8mm bottom and top sections with 2 & 1mm wall thickness. It weighs in at 2450g so still reasonably light and portable although I wouldn't want to cart it up Ben Nevis. I've been looking for an additional 12m pole for use with a drive on support and in the garden and keep coming back to the Spiderbeam 12m HD. Apart from it's weight (to be expected IMO) I've yet to read a bad review so I've ordered one.👍

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

I'm sure those blue Vine poles are actually the pro poles just rebranded. Yep they are brilliant.

[@on2mvh937]

My Spiderpole 12m HD survived over 10 years outside near the northsea. It cracked by my fault scratching the roof of the garden shed

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

They are the "gold standard" for sure.

[@tixilx]

Excellent review and advice - Thanks ☘️

[@mikemiles3068]

Good video👍

[@radioman3229]

good video , thanks NS9T

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Your welcome 👍

[@kennethbuss332]

I plan on using an Ed Fong 2m/7cm roll up antenna with a Spiderbeam. The antenna is 16’ long. Any suggestions on if this should hang from pole vertically or have it slope off at an angle? Also..would the 7 or 10 meter pole be enough? Don’t want longer than I need.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

So its not an antenna I've used but beleive its a J Pole. Hang it straight and get it as high as practically possible.

[@tzm1843]

Can you recommend an inexpensive mast support for flat roofs, using cement blocks as weights?

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Not sure I understand exactly what your asking. Blocks as weights may work ok but better if whatever your tying off to cant move.

[@giulianoggg2035]

I have bought the Spiderbeam 12 for the G5rv but i am thinking on how to tighten the center feed of the g5rv to the tip! how would you do it? Thanks

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Can you guy it at a higher point also?

[@wblue74]

Spent the morning trying, unsuccessfully, to unjam the Windjammer. 2 middle sections refuse to unlock :(

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Yes, these are probably the worst of the bunch for this. Have you tried boiling water?

[@wblue74]

@MM0OPXAmateurRadio put the bottom on a cushion, a folded up tea towel on the top and tapped it with a hammer.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks fantastic video 73 from kb2uew

[@weslewis8748]

Can you use these as 20 meter Moxon spreaders?

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

You can with the Windjammer. You need a lightweight pole.

[@kevinc9416]

Can I put a comet GP-9 on the spider beam?

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Had to look that up. Its a tentative yes, as long as you dont use all the SB sections and guyed at multiple points.