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Message |
    
1861
Advanced Member
Username: 1861
Post Number: 598
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 5:32 pm: | 
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If you use two 10' sections of galvanized water pipe for antenna pole put together with a coupler , would you have a weak link where they join ? |
Draft
Intermediate Member
Username: Draft
Post Number: 109
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 7:45 pm: |
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It depends primarily on the gauge of the steel, I had two 10' sections of 14-gauge poles joined and when I went to tilt them up (the first, and then the last time) with the iMAX-2000 mounted at the end, it gave away just above the joint where the steel was compressed. I ended up going to a 12-gauge telescopic mast, leaving about a foot inside the bottom pipe and have had no problems whatsoever on my evening tilt-ups (Deed-Restricted Community). 73s, --Rich |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 2022
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 11:38 pm: |
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Tried that years ago and it bent and
broke after awhile.
Now if the second 10ft section would be
lighter and of a smaller diameter it would
work better. Like how a telescoping mast
or large flag poles are built. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2280
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 11:48 pm: |
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i think he is referring to actual pipe, not steel tubing.
if thats true, it will be plenty thick enough.
as for the joint, its hard to say.
im assuming you mean threaded ends screwed into a threaded coupler.
if so, the coupler should be one of the stronger points on the mast.
i would however pay attention to the quality of the coupler that you buy.
the ones in home depot and lowes are not of very good quality, and i have broken a few.
if you can find a coupler that is not cast, and its acual forged steel, that would be better.
not sure of the availability of something like that.
all that being said, i think you will be fine.
your biggest enemy is sway.
when your mast sways too much, all that strength you gained by using thicker steel turns into weight and works against you.
good luck,
matt |
1861
Advanced Member
Username: 1861
Post Number: 600
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 7:30 am: |
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Yes KV thats what I was talking about . 1 inch I D heavy pipe |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 623
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 10:34 am: |
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I'd be inclined to use a thick bottom section and a slightly smaller top section - jusdt to reduce the stress on the joint. Oh yes and guy it above the joint. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3376
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 12:21 pm: |
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it's pretty expensive....in the end a used tower would be cheaper, but, 3" pipe, adapter, 2" pipe, adapter, down to 1 & 1/2" pipe gets you 30', use more of the 2" or 3" if you want to go higher. 20' above the mounting bracket with a maco v5/8 & no guy wires stayed up for a few years til i took it down. got the pipe for free. at a home improvement store, to get 30' would cost close to $100. or more, depending on black pipe or galvanized. i used black pipe. |
Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 394
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 3:04 pm: |
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I tried that route and it broke at the coupler no matter what sizes I used. The coupler is what broke everytime. I finally used inch and a half thick walled conduit and a coupler and it worked great and is still up after 7yrs.
HARVE
UNIT199 |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2295
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 10:24 pm: |
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that confirms what i thought harve.
the metal they use is not meant to take stress.
i take back my earlier comment and agree that conduit is the way to go.
you know 1861, they sell 30' push up poles at lowes for $50.00.
at least they do here.
good luck,
matt |
1861
Advanced Member
Username: 1861
Post Number: 602
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 10:54 pm: |
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I tried LOWE,S here , got dummer looks than going into RAT SHACK |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2301
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 10:29 pm: |
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how about this,
get two pieces of 1 1/2" pipe, and one 2 foot piece of the next size down that will slide inside the
1 1/2" pipe.
slide the 2 foot piece into one of the pipes to the half way point.
secure it so it wont move. (wood wedges can help here)
drill all the way through both pipes and out the other side, and put a bolt through.
turn the pipe 90* and drill another hole, and bolt it.
you will have two bolts at 90* angles from eachother.
now slip the other pipe over the top and drill two more holes like in the other pipe, and bolt them.
if you drill the right sized holes for the bolts you are using, it should be a very tight and strong joint.
just an idea,
matt |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 630
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
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Kid,
I have made a 30ft mast from telescoping sections of PVC pipe. Drilled two holes at 90 degrees to each others at the join (1 foot of overlap)and used eyebolts to attach guys. Drilled a second set about 30 inches below the top and attached anothe set of guiys (OK they were really disguised HF inverted V but don't tell my parents).
That mast stood up to several cyclones - yes during the wind the top was more horizontal thahn vertical but once the wind dropped the mast straightened up. On top was a 11m groundplane, a 6m dipole and a 2m J-pole (all on a cross arm).
If you want more stiffness use a large pvc pipe and slide a second inside before adding the top pipe. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2307
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 10:26 pm: |
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i love the "dont tell my parents" part!
reminds me of when i used to convince my parents that i needed more than one radio because, "they all cover different ranges".
matt |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 633
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 24, 2006 - 12:14 pm: |
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Kid,
I came across on old article on using a pipe mast. I'll try to scan it into the PC and PM it to you for your reference. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2309
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 24, 2006 - 9:19 pm: |
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cool, thanks simon.
matt |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 641
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
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KV,
Did you get the PM with ther article attached? Did it help any? |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2333
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 10:41 pm: |
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sent you an email back saying that i couldnt open the attatchment.
could you try sending it as a PDF or a JPG?
matt |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 2028
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 11:34 pm: |
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I put 2 10' sections of heavy Galvanized
pipe 1 7/8" together years ago and where
the coupler was, it bent and broke off. |
