Good point, Colin.

Now, I'm starting to think of something like a painter's pole, although I 
wouldn't think the normal ones would be strong enough.

Will keep thinking on this for sure, so keep those suggestions coming!

73 de Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 9:54 PM
Subject: Re: Need suggestions for better mast arrangement to safely raise HF 
screw-driver antenna on RV


> yes, but you can always run a wire down the non-conductive pipe/tube if
> necesary.
> 73
> Colin, V A6BS
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 7:52 PM
> Subject: Re: Need suggestions for better mast arrangement to safely raise 
> HF
> screw-driver antenna on RV
>
>
>>    Pat:
>>
>> I thought of that, but wonder if it would be strong enough.
>>
>> Also, it may not help me couple the antenna to ground, as John suggested
>> earlier.
>>
>> 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Pat Byrne" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 9:44 PM
>> Subject: Re: Need suggestions for better mast arrangement to safely raise
>> HF
>> screw-driver antenna on RV
>>
>>
>>> How about PVC?
>>> Pat, K9JAUAt 09:00 AM 8/15/2011, you wrote:
>>>>Hi, all.
>>>>
>>>>Well, I attempted to check into yesterday's 20-meter Cross-Country blind
>>>>ops
>>>>net from the RV, but was not successful.
>>>>
>>>>I believe my screw-driver antenna simply is not high enough on the back
>>>>of
>>>>the RV to allow me to get out well.
>>>>
>>>>The antenna is mounted with u-bolts on the back bumpber on a piece of
>>>>pipe
>>>>that is probably about thre or four feet high.  This gets part of the
>>>>screwdriver antenna and whip above the roof line of the RV, but it does
>>>>not
>>>>get it completely above the roof line by any means.  The RV is
>>>>approximately
>>>>12 feet high.
>>>>
>>>>Originally, I had used an arrangement with a longer piece of mounting
>>>>pipe,
>>>>but it turns out that the pipe was de-tuning the antenna, especially on
>>>>10
>>>>and 15 meters.
>>>>
>>>>So, my question is this:  Does anyone know of a fiber-glass or other 
>>>>type
>>>>of
>>>>non-conductive mast that I might try to get the screw-driver up higher?
>>>>Obviously, I want to be safe here, and don't want to have to mess with
>>>>guys.
>>>>
>>>>Something telescopic might be the best, but again, I would think it 
>>>>would
>>>>have to be of fairly high quality.
>>>>
>>>>If anyone has any suggestions, I'll save them for future reference.
>>>>
>>>>Due to a number of other things going on right now that will put a crimp
>>>>in
>>>>the budget, I probably won't be able to do anything until next year's
>>>>camping season, but it's always good to start thinking and planning in
>>>>advance.
>>>>
>>>>73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>>>
>>
>