On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 19:49:44 -0600, Leonard Martin
wrote:

Hello,

I'm returning to ham radio after 10 years' inactivity, and my health and
pocket book require me to start small. I bought one of those cool 33'
telescoping fiberglass masts, and I intend to erect one of those in my
small downtown lot.

But how do I create a base for the thing? I can't mount it to the side
of my house. It's covered with fragile siding. I don't know how to
create a buried concrete base for a conventional mast. I'm not in shape
for that job.

Well, if it's okay for the mast to be next to your house -- why not
just set the mast on the ground in a shallow hole, and support it with
your roof overhang, about 10 or 12 feet up?

You might also check the Radio Shack web site -- they have all kinds
of inexpensive brackets, guys and paraphernalia for tv-type masts,
which may work with your fiberglas mast.

bob
k5qwg



I thought I'd just get an 8 foot length of pipe a little smaller than
the fiberglass mast, drive it into the ground, and either mount the mast
to the pipe with standoffs or, even simpler, just slide the mast down
around the pipe and let the pipe support the mast from within (and be
the safety ground for the assembly at the same time).

However, I don't know how to be sure I'm driving the pipe into the
ground straight, and I'd sure hate to end up with my mast leaning.
Also, how do you get up high enough to drive an 8' length of pipe in the
ground in the first place?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Leonard
WD5DNQ