DRIVE ON ANTENNA SUPPORT
By Sean, M0GIA
Read a super article on Hamuniverse.com about a guy who saved some money
by building a drive on vertical antenna support from wood.
I
thought yes I'm up for having a go at one. Often thought about building a
metal version or even getting one built by a frabicater but then I
thought I'm only going to
be using light weight antennas so a wooden
support may fit the bill.
I started out with a set of bunk bed ladders that were being
thrown away by a neigbour and originally donated for fire wood but now
given a second life. I've got a right angle screwed and dowlled together
and already varnished.....Bargain!
Here is how I did it!
A set of bunk bed ladders ready for modifying.
I cut one runner out leaving it mounted to the
side.
I decided to add a small metal right angle bracket
for extra strength.
Now an angled brace screwed to the horizontal and verticle
sections.
I added a length of angle iron to the vertical section, the
stuff they build
shelving out off in warehouses etc. This will
allow my fishing pole
to be strapped to it using the pre drilled
holes.
Picture above was taken up in the local hills approx 1100ft
ASL using a 23ft fibre glass fishing pole with a half wave dipole taped to
it cut for 20m.
With taking advantage of the height and low angle
offered from the vertical using the FT817, I can hear Canada and
North America in real poor propagation, so at least I'm half way there but
just need more than 5w to be heard.
73, Sean, M0GIA.....Good
DX!
