I bought the 28.5 foot Max Gains Systems mast which is similar to the DX Engineering several years ago, but the prices have increased dramatically over the past year or so. I chose the 28.5 foot HD mast because I can reach the top without using a ladder, and I didn't want to have to lug a ladder around in my car. For using 2 meter simplex and repeaters, and for HF inverted V antennas, its be adequate. 73 KD5YOU
Thx Jeremy. I'm also an Extra (N4AKL) and have a limited backyard area. I am in the middle of a small city surrounded by Dallas, TX. Technically I'm prohibited from putting up an antenna so I've only used portable antennas thus far. I'm working with an attorney to see if the City will relax their rules and allow an antenna. Until; then, stealth may be my friend. I've looked at this model as a possibility and searched for the antenna model number and there you were. Thanks for the guide & ideas. If you want me to, I'll share what I end up with for my mast installation.
Thanks for reaching out. I'll tell you, this mast is not discrete lol. I've taped dipololes to the wall before and it works. There is also mag loops. Endfed halfwaves are fairly easy to hide. Feel free to connect by email or Facebook, maybe we can come up with some exciting ideas.
My village prohibits antennas. But state law prohibits villages from prohibiting amateur radio antennas. Go figure. So I just put them up and so far (eleven years) nobody has bothered me.
It's been my experience that people are often fascinated with ham radio and almost everyone knows a ham from way back lol. Antennas have been a great conversation starter.
Nice mast if you live in the USA.....to get it to an island in the other hemisphere, it's almost $200 MORE than the item costs for shipping....almost $800. That's a LOT for some bits of fibreglass.
If this will be used for more than an occassional set-up, the fiberglass poles should be painted to prevent UV damage. It is unbelievable how quickly fiberglass will start to delaminate from UV exposure and start growing "hairs" that will make the mast very uncomfortable and irrating to handle.
I would have to find the docs that came with it. If I remember right it says specifically not to paint it (maybe to sell another one sooner lol) and it was coated, painting would keep it from operating correctly because of the tight tolerances.
Exactly what I was looking for. This is an 800 USD-ish mast, I really am wondering how it compares to MFJ's HD 50' mast that is about 300 USD-ish. I did notice the OD of the mast is a little bigger on the MFJ.
Thanks for watching! Not sure where you are from, but this one is $240 usd on dxengineering.com. If you need the little extra height, the mfj might be a good option too. The carbon fiber ones are alot more money.
@@kj7iaz Yes, I am confusing this one with the: DXE-TCFP-49 which is 850 USD. I'm amazed that that one is so meaty for only 240. I wonder what the big difference is between the DXE-TCFP-49 and DXE-TFK46-HD (besides the 3 extra feet) that make worth an additional 500 USD. I wish I could find a comparison videos between the DXE-TCFP-49, the DXE-TFK46-HD, and the MFJ 1908HD. DXE-TCFP-49 is carbon fiber instead of fiberglass, but I'm not sure that is worth 500 bucks more.
The carbon fiber one is way less weight. And shorter when collapsed. The one I show is a good option for a semi permanent install. The carbon fiber, would be better for field day/pota, etc. If i ever need to move mine it's easy enough to do, but I wouldn't take it to field day. I hope that is helpful.
I bought the 28.5 foot Max Gains Systems mast which is similar to the DX Engineering several years ago, but the prices have increased dramatically over the past year or so. I chose the 28.5 foot HD mast because I can reach the top without using a ladder, and I didn't want to have to lug a ladder around in my car. For using 2 meter simplex and repeaters, and for HF inverted V antennas, its be adequate. 73 KD5YOU
Yeah, I definitely wouldn't recommend this for a portable mast. It works great as a semi permanent mast though.
Nice!
Thanks!
Thx Jeremy. I'm also an Extra (N4AKL) and have a limited backyard area. I am in the middle of a small city surrounded by Dallas, TX. Technically I'm prohibited from putting up an antenna so I've only used portable antennas thus far. I'm working with an attorney to see if the City will relax their rules and allow an antenna. Until; then, stealth may be my friend. I've looked at this model as a possibility and searched for the antenna model number and there you were. Thanks for the guide & ideas. If you want me to, I'll share what I end up with for my mast installation.
Thanks for reaching out.
I'll tell you, this mast is not discrete lol.
I've taped dipololes to the wall before and it works. There is also mag loops. Endfed halfwaves are fairly easy to hide.
Feel free to connect by email or Facebook, maybe we can come up with some exciting ideas.
My village prohibits antennas. But state law prohibits villages from prohibiting amateur radio antennas. Go figure. So I just put them up and so far (eleven years) nobody has bothered me.
It's been my experience that people are often fascinated with ham radio and almost everyone knows a ham from way back lol. Antennas have been a great conversation starter.
Thank you for sharing it. VE3ITU.
My pleasure
Nice mast if you live in the USA.....to get it to an island in the other hemisphere, it's almost $200 MORE than the item costs for shipping....almost $800. That's a LOT for some bits of fibreglass.
Oh man. I'm sure there is something more local that makes something similar .
well done looks very good and strong all the best Allan G6TMO Stoke on Trent Uk
Thanks, and thanks for watching
If this will be used for more than an occassional set-up, the fiberglass poles should be painted to prevent UV damage. It is unbelievable how quickly fiberglass will start to delaminate from UV exposure and start growing "hairs" that will make the mast very uncomfortable and irrating to handle.
I would have to find the docs that came with it. If I remember right it says specifically not to paint it (maybe to sell another one sooner lol) and it was coated, painting would keep it from operating correctly because of the tight tolerances.
Which antenna did you put on it and how's it working out?
I use for a variety of antennas. It's great for experiments and testing. Check out my antenna series.
Exactly what I was looking for. This is an 800 USD-ish mast, I really am wondering how it compares to MFJ's HD 50' mast that is about 300 USD-ish. I did notice the OD of the mast is a little bigger on the MFJ.
Thanks for watching! Not sure where you are from, but this one is $240 usd on dxengineering.com. If you need the little extra height, the mfj might be a good option too. The carbon fiber ones are alot more money.
@@kj7iaz Yes, I am confusing this one with the: DXE-TCFP-49 which is 850 USD. I'm amazed that that one is so meaty for only 240. I wonder what the big difference is between the DXE-TCFP-49 and DXE-TFK46-HD (besides the 3 extra feet) that make worth an additional 500 USD. I wish I could find a comparison videos between the DXE-TCFP-49, the DXE-TFK46-HD, and the MFJ 1908HD. DXE-TCFP-49 is carbon fiber instead of fiberglass, but I'm not sure that is worth 500 bucks more.
The carbon fiber one is way less weight. And shorter when collapsed. The one I show is a good option for a semi permanent install. The carbon fiber, would be better for field day/pota, etc. If i ever need to move mine it's easy enough to do, but I wouldn't take it to field day. I hope that is helpful.
Can you say what is the size of the pole on top the Mast? Looks much larger than the photos on the DXEngineering web site....
Not sure, the manual might say. I'd have to measure it. But it is bigger than expected. Works great though.
@@kj7iaz Thanks for the Reply
Where did you buy those clamps?
The whole kit came from dxengineering.com
How is it holding up?
It's great. It's been up since the trap dipole video with no issues.
@kj7iaz nice after your review I have one in my DX engineering shopping cart
@vinnyboomba9948 haha yes. My dxengineering wish list is full. Maybe they will take note one of these days and send me some stuff to play with haha.