{"id":4272,"date":"2015-01-31T12:00:34","date_gmt":"2015-01-31T19:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=4272"},"modified":"2015-02-16T15:46:05","modified_gmt":"2015-02-16T22:46:05","slug":"guying-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/equipment\/guying-system\/","title":{"rendered":"SOTA Antenna Pole Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antenna Pole Tips by KX0R<\/p>\n

For activating summits without trees, we usually need to bring a support for an HF antenna. The most common tool is a collapsible fiberglass pole. There are many types of poles available, and they have their pros and cons.<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/a>

Black Widow Pole Guyed on Hallett Peak<\/p><\/div>\n

1) Tall, strong poles are available, but they are heavy and impractical in high winds<\/p>\n

2) Inexpensive large fishing poles and banner poles are practical, but they are long when collapsed and may be awkward to carry in difficult terrain<\/p>\n

\"KX0R<\/a>

KX0R Hiking up James Peak<\/p><\/div>\n

3) Carbon-fiber (graphite) poles are shorter when collapsed and easy to carry in rough country; but they are expensive and easily damaged, and they work best with very thin wire<\/p>\n

There are many ways to support an antenna pole. The tips here will work on most high summits.<\/p>\n

My simple guying “system” started when I did summits like Green Mountain south of
\nGolden, and various high alpine peaks, where there may not be big rocks to lean a pole\u00a0against. Small ropes don\u2019t hold the slick pole well, unless they’re at a
\nright angle to the pole…which is not always possible.<\/p>\n

A tight rubber band or two are put on below the first or second pole joint, so that the lines can\u00a0hold the pole, even when they come down at an acute angle to the pole.
\nEach time I try this set-up I learn a little more.<\/p>\n\n\t\t