let's compare 2 really good mast for pota sota activations. What will be your favorite. Carbon 6 mast www.dxengineer... Explorer Pota20 ZXP-POTA20 www.gigaparts....
Пікірлер: 39
@mikeroberge54882 күн бұрын
They have to be a bit loose. The the inside dia of the mast is not always the same and not perfect round. And the spike is also made for 2 brands of mast. I have heard some add a wrap of tape. Also keep in mind temp change could make the spike not fit.
@kb9jqu2 ай бұрын
Mike this is a useful video. I have the Carbon 6, used it today in fact. But I did not know it was originally a fishing pole. Glad we have another option that is purpose built for ham radio.
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
RR Its a fishing pole that makes a dam good mast. I am on my second one. I have over 500 activations with my first C6
@kb9jqu2 ай бұрын
@@mikeroberge5488 I'm still on my first C6 which I've only used a handful of times. But you know me, I have a second one in case the first one breaks because two is one, one is none.
@ChrisBeiting2 ай бұрын
Dang I love the ground spike hack. Just ordered my Explorer mast, sadly it's backordered until Sept -- but can't wait to use it and use the ground spike.
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
Will be worth the wait.
@ChrisBeiting2 ай бұрын
I already ordered the spike too!
@davidg53082 ай бұрын
Thanks for the info and detailed review. Will keep on chugging with the C6 until the crazy new interest waves subside. That shank sure looks interesting though. Cheers and 73!
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
You cant go wrong with the C6. I am on my second one. real good mast.
@thuff32072 ай бұрын
Nice idea on the spike and thank you for the video.
@bruceweight73192 ай бұрын
Great vid. Bring it on. May look at getting one.
@PortableRadio2 ай бұрын
I also like to use ground spikes! Your solution looks like a good design, I just hope that the part that goes into the mast doesn't crack the mast under tension. But I guess you tested that in the field extensively.
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
Not to say that can't happen but it's not likely. I had a large gust hit it one time. The spike bent. So I would say the aluminum spike is the shear pin.
@PortableRadio2 ай бұрын
@@mikeroberge5488 Thanks, good to know. I really like this minimalistic design, perfect for SOTA as well!
@billw7zt7 күн бұрын
Mike can you share the STL file for the Stake. It might not work in the desert here in Az. Thanks Great idea.... I have about 10 tent poles. Use mostly on Moxons.
@halledwardb10 күн бұрын
Ok, SOLD. looks great. I'll put in an order. I and the kids do QRP with our 705. Thanks
@user-xz2ec6oc7q3 ай бұрын
Thanks Mike.
@mikeroberge54883 ай бұрын
Your welcome
@ChrisBeiting2 күн бұрын
my ground spike is a little smaller than my Explorer mast, kinda disappointing.
@MentalWhiplash2 ай бұрын
New mast....."Orders placed after 5/31/24 have an expected ship date of September". Some day ham distributors will find suppliers that can at least meet 25% of demand...
@w1rcp2 ай бұрын
I'll wait until closer to Christmas, and I will exclaim EXCALIBUR when stabbing the ground and pulling out!
@dangerwillrobinson232 ай бұрын
Thank you for posting. Could the Explorer mast be used to support a center-fed linked dipole, like the Bandhopper III?
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
I would say yes as long as the coax is 316 and the wire is 26 gage.
@OttoDestruct2 ай бұрын
Thanks for this. I have been using a 17' whip on a ground spike but you're really selling me on the ideal of a lightweight, compact mast with a wire. Could you link directly to the source (or eventual source) for the ground spike, and the guy-line ring? I'd definitely pick those up at the same time.
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
The spike will be available through ke8pzn. You can email on qrz
@ae4xo3 ай бұрын
Hey thats great!
@WC9Beau2 ай бұрын
I know you said comparable but can you give us the actual weight of the POTA20 ?
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
Explorer is 11.2 oz
@dl2sba2 ай бұрын
Where can I find the STL-files for the ground-spike?
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
Ke8pzn will be selling them. Contact him on QRZ.
@WilliamParmley2 ай бұрын
It appears that the end caps are reverse threaded.
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
LOL No they are lefty lose. My phone reversed the vid. Some day I will get a real vid camera. Let me know if you know how I can flip it in the future. Thanks for the comment.
@WilliamParmley2 ай бұрын
@@mikeroberge5488 Well, the video quality was excellent! There must be a setting somewhere to un-reverse it.
@patring6202 ай бұрын
@@mikeroberge5488 I wondered why the Ron Jon t-shirt logo was backward.
@mikeroberge54882 ай бұрын
@@patring620 Vid was shot with a phone. When using front facing camera the vid gets rev. I do no post editing.
@POTA-QRP2 ай бұрын
Hmmmm…. Never mind….
@tamistone26322 ай бұрын
Please, next time write a script. You’ve repeated yourself over and over again. Most everyone here is a ham and are fairly technically competent. Just make your point and move on, we grasp the objective information without all the belabour the points. Good video, good information but all could’ve been said in less than 5 minutes. 👍
@KeithS_WA6QXA2 ай бұрын
He did fine. Why are you being so critical? He isn’t paid to do this, most likely, so cut some slack. Thanks for the very informative video!