Being the cameraman for this was an exercise in innuendo restraint and required a professional approach to pole husbandry and maintenance at all times. Apologies if I failed.
You can hear Tom chuckling as he hold the camera for me.. We made a video with Tom here: th-cam.com/video/j-BugOvIYHQ/w-d-xo.html - he made a Micro DX Commander - amazing!
Dear Callum, I'm a Nurse and You're doing it all wrong: If you just add a BLUE PILL to that cylinder, it will straightaway stand up with no problems at all... 🤣 73 DE W8LV BILL
I have a 40 foot mast from Clarke, I bought it very cheap after it was left up in frosty conditions and water froze inside it! It actually split the tubes! I am working out how to fix it "on the cheap", possibly welding as the splits are in the keyway. I only paid £100 for it so, when I fix it, I will have saved myself over 2 grand. The lesson to learn, leave the air valve open in winter! 73 Jim M7BXT
I have a very strange answer to that… my clarkmast had a hole in a tube because one bolt was stuck inbetween two tubes… i repaired it with baking soda and superglue a few small layers, and it is still holding after aprox 5 years
You could try putting a yellow marigold glove over the pump handle to stop water getting in your pump and leave the bottom bleed screw just cracked a little bit to let it drain any that does get in… I think you like the sound though. 😳 Best wishes to everyone. 💙
I love watching your real-world experiences. Now I've got to see if I can get one of these masts stateside. I wonder if I could put up a small yaggi with something like this.
Just add a heavy plastic glove over the pump and seal it with a mini bungee cord available at your local pound land. After a rain storm go out there and try the pump. If it gurgling with water, time for new seals. I have a 30 foot Will Burt mast that takes a while to raise but the bottom tube is at least 7 feet long and 8 inches in diameter. The company recommends dry nitrogen for the gas but one needs to use an oil injector with their special lubricant. If you use an air compressor one needs to add a dryer to the air line, preferably the silica gel filled version followed by the oil injector.
Bought a Clark mast well over 25 years ago. It was exactly the same as yours. If I knew everything what I know now I did a lot more maintenance. It is a nice mast but it really needs regular greasing. Besides that I didn't know water was building up inside the mast. Unfortunately cost me all the seals and the bottom plate in Winter when it was freezing. I still have the mast but need to pull it up by hand for the last 20 years. Luckely I only use it for test purposes. 73, Bas
Keep pressure in the may and that will keep the water out, provided it will hold the pressure. This is what we do with our large diameter coaxial cables, we pump about 3psi of nitrogen in them to keep moisture from getting in and causing arcing.
I used to be in the TA (Royal Signals) and we would have to do regular maintenance on the SCAM 12 masts on our radio relay truck, your right to use the proper lubricant on the mast sections because it can damage the seals and they are not cheap to replace, the pump probably should have had petroleum grease but you will soon know if you have got away with it.
I've seen other pneumatic masts before, but they are in Europe, a little hard to get in VK. There's winch up telescopic ones made here in VK they go for about 2-3k depending on height. If I can find a pneumatic mast cheaper than 2k I would be happy. They do make big pneumatic masts for mobile road signs and cameras ect.
I had a Scam 40 I think it was, no self contained pump and a bit more heavy duty. I say "had" as i leant it to a friend who was going to check and re seal if needed as a thank you for borrowing it, then he moved house leaving no trace, or mast, just realised, it was a right Scam 😞
That's a baby one, we use 2 Scam 12's contesting, there common to fill with water on the Qt series, try a bung in the top the last section, it may help, little bit of silicon grease on sections from time to time and should last for ages. Have you got the manual as I have the QT handbook as a pdf
@@DXCommanderHQ use 2 with our 144mhz contest arrays, one with 2 x 9 and one with either 2 x 5 or 4 x3. do you need the handbook for the QT series as I have the PDF
I spent many an hour greasing SCAM12 masts in the Royal Signals, we never left them up permanently though. Does this one have seals on each section? I guess it must have otherwise it wouldn’t pump up ⬆️
funny lol yes i have just got a racal 12m telescopic mast for my cobweb antenna and yes its just what i need living in a built up close i can lower it when its windy or if the council come knocking 73 m7byf
I have an much older military 12 meter clarkmast (without the locking nuts) wich i extend with a compressor because the handpump is just not quick enough to get it up, when i got it i searched and found thick silicone grease and put to much in and it would not get down anymore 😂 it took a few hours, at this moment it is whole year around outside for 3 years now still experimental, but i like it allot.
Callum, I'm a Registered Nurse and IMO, you're doing that all wrong... All you need to do, it just add a little blue pill to that cylinder and that pole will straightaway stand up with no problems! 😂 73 DE W8LV BILL
I believe with CMS if there are locking pins can you not leave the drain open with pump removed for moisture to escape, particularly for extended periods in colder weather when the moisture may freeze?
Water comes through the holes in the top of the pump.. Then drips past the one-way seal.. Like a bicycle pump.. flows down the black rubber hose and ends up balancing the amount in the pump and the amount in the tube (water finds the level).. All working.
Being the cameraman for this was an exercise in innuendo restraint and required a professional approach to pole husbandry and maintenance at all times. Apologies if I failed.
HAHA! Tom! I remind you of your more serious work here.. th-cam.com/video/j-BugOvIYHQ/w-d-xo.html
I respect your restraint… in the finest British tradition…
You're giggling at Callum using a rubber glove to grease his pole because he's got a problem with his erection. 🤭😊
Funny....this guy should have his own TV show. I would tune in every week. 😂
You can hear Tom chuckling as he hold the camera for me.. We made a video with Tom here: th-cam.com/video/j-BugOvIYHQ/w-d-xo.html - he made a Micro DX Commander - amazing!
I completely agree. You'd never have got that bit recorded if Mike was there. 😇
Imagine!
Can't believe we are all watching callum grease his pole 😂😂
HAHAHA!!!
Well, I was always told that you can never have too much lube!
@@DXCommanderHQ We almost all got pregnant watching that, Cal!
@@KD9ZHF WOAH! LOL
@@DXCommanderHQ You made me laugh so hard with the video - thanks so much for this! I really needed it!
He is not observing your work, he is laughing at your work.
Ah!
well was nice for tom to visit the FUNNY FARM . cheers from NY,USA . we have them days hear as well.
Funny farm!
The Comedy on this video was gold I loved it!! Speaking of Clarke Masts I really need to look into one of these.
You should!
Dear Callum, I'm a Nurse and You're doing it all wrong: If you just add a BLUE PILL to that cylinder, it will straightaway stand up with no problems at all... 🤣 73 DE W8LV BILL
Corrrrr that was like that scene from ghost. You could make bank on that fans site greasing up pneumatic masts!
I nearly choked on my cuppa this morning watching this. 😂🤣
HAHA
I have a 40 foot mast from Clarke, I bought it very cheap after it was left up in frosty conditions and water froze inside it! It actually split the tubes! I am working out how to fix it "on the cheap", possibly welding as the splits are in the keyway. I only paid £100 for it so, when I fix it, I will have saved myself over 2 grand. The lesson to learn, leave the air valve open in winter! 73 Jim M7BXT
The grease on the segments is only for lubrication, if you don't tighten the lock rings does the mast drop? If so the seals are suspect.
I have a very strange answer to that… my clarkmast had a hole in a tube because one bolt was stuck inbetween two tubes… i repaired it with baking soda and superglue a few small layers, and it is still holding after aprox 5 years
@@daca9907and look if the rings are not mouted in the wrong way!
Valve / freezing / opn / winter. Copied.
@@daca9907 No - it stays up actually without the locks on..
AH-hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... I am laughing so hard I am crying... Benny Hill has nothing on you Cal!!!! Holy Shit what a riot!
Yes John!!!
You could try putting a yellow marigold glove over the pump handle to stop water getting in your pump and leave the bottom bleed screw just cracked a little bit to let it drain any that does get in… I think you like the sound though. 😳
Best wishes to everyone. 💙
Bag / Glove.. Good idea! (Yellow would be best - agreed!)
I love watching your real-world experiences. Now I've got to see if I can get one of these masts stateside. I wonder if I could put up a small yaggi with something like this.
You can! This is the smallest Clark Mast they do.. Only 6m (although I have added a small 1-inch diameter stub on the top)
Just add a heavy plastic glove over the pump and seal it with a mini bungee cord available at your local pound land. After a rain storm go out there and try the pump. If it gurgling with water, time for new seals. I have a 30 foot Will Burt mast that takes a while to raise but the bottom tube is at least 7 feet long and 8 inches in diameter. The company recommends dry nitrogen for the gas but one needs to use an oil injector with their special lubricant. If you use an air compressor one needs to add a dryer to the air line, preferably the silica gel filled version followed by the oil injector.
Ouch..... it's hurting now...... my sides are aching. 😂😂😂
Sorry!
@@DXCommanderHQ Thankyou Lord Cal, that was just what was needed. 73
Bought a Clark mast well over 25 years ago. It was exactly the same as yours. If I knew everything what I know now I did a lot more maintenance. It is a nice mast but it really needs regular greasing. Besides that I didn't know water was building up inside the mast. Unfortunately cost me all the seals and the bottom plate in Winter when it was freezing. I still have the mast but need to pull it up by hand for the last 20 years. Luckely I only use it for test purposes. 73, Bas
Freezing.. Oh yes.. Now I've thought about it, I would consider working up a solution..
Keep pressure in the may and that will keep the water out, provided it will hold the pressure. This is what we do with our large diameter coaxial cables, we pump about 3psi of nitrogen in them to keep moisture from getting in and causing arcing.
Fascinating.
I used to be in the TA (Royal Signals) and we would have to do regular maintenance on the SCAM 12 masts on our radio relay truck, your right to use the proper lubricant on the mast sections because it can damage the seals and they are not cheap to replace, the pump probably should have had petroleum grease but you will soon know if you have got away with it.
Ah thanks!!
That's what we call antenna porn..!!!😮😂
Hihi.............
funnily enough, I've just acquired one!
Woo-Hoo!
You can't stop water getting inside and the grease is meant to be for the inside of the tubes to help seal the rubbers.
Problem solved!
I've seen other pneumatic masts before, but they are in Europe, a little hard to get in VK.
There's winch up telescopic ones made here in VK they go for about 2-3k depending on height.
If I can find a pneumatic mast cheaper than 2k I would be happy.
They do make big pneumatic masts for mobile road signs and cameras ect.
I got this for free a few years ago.. Only 6m - but handy for /P work.
Grasp the pole and make up and down movements. You should be a natural at this, Callum.
Agreed.. And there's a few regulars around here that do this every time they comment!
Great video. Just missing some soldering content to make it complete...⚛
Small gloves on an extra large hand. Good deal. Only in the UK you say.
I had a Scam 40 I think it was, no self contained pump and a bit more heavy duty. I say "had" as i leant it to a friend who was going to check and re seal if needed as a thank you for borrowing it, then he moved house leaving no trace, or mast, just realised, it was a right Scam 😞
Oh hell!
That's a baby one, we use 2 Scam 12's contesting, there common to fill with water on the Qt series, try a bung in the top the last section, it may help, little bit of silicon grease on sections from time to time and should last for ages. Have you got the manual as I have the QT handbook as a pdf
12s! Woo-Hoo!
@@DXCommanderHQ use 2 with our 144mhz contest arrays, one with 2 x 9 and one with either 2 x 5 or 4 x3. do you need the handbook for the QT series as I have the PDF
I spent many an hour greasing SCAM12 masts in the Royal Signals, we never left them up permanently though. Does this one have seals on each section? I guess it must have otherwise it wouldn’t pump up ⬆️
Yes.. ANd not I have put some "goop" on the bearing sections, no water coming in.
funny lol yes i have just got a racal 12m telescopic mast for my cobweb antenna and yes its just what i need living in a built up close i can lower it when its windy or if the council come knocking 73 m7byf
Lovely.
I have an much older military 12 meter clarkmast (without the locking nuts) wich i extend with a compressor because the handpump is just not quick enough to get it up, when i got it i searched and found thick silicone grease and put to much in and it would not get down anymore 😂 it took a few hours, at this moment it is whole year around outside for 3 years now still experimental, but i like it allot.
Ah. Nice. I would LOVE a 12m one - but it might be too heavy for me!
@@DXCommanderHQ A little information: it is not that heavy and the length is about 2,30 meters, shoved in, i have no tripod stand with it.
That's a big pole! You need two hands to lubricate it.
my 13m mast will stay pumped up at least all day without needing to tighten the clamps
Wow.. 13m.. Amazing.
Callum, I'm a Registered Nurse and IMO, you're doing that all wrong... All you need to do, it just add a little blue pill to that cylinder and that pole will straightaway stand up with no problems! 😂 73 DE W8LV BILL
Blue!? Ah OK - I've hear of them !! :)
Build a small awning or umbrella ☔ for the pump.
Pump umbrella.. Yes!
I need the unedited version
Noooo!
I believe with CMS if there are locking pins can you not leave the drain open with pump removed for moisture to escape, particularly for extended periods in colder weather when the moisture may freeze?
Locking pins.. Not thought about that.
nearly had a conery watching this HAHAHAHAHA Cal
HAHA!!
Seals are leaking in the mast. If water flows through the pump, the cylinder in the pump is leaking and therefore the pump does not work....QSL
Water comes through the holes in the top of the pump.. Then drips past the one-way seal.. Like a bicycle pump.. flows down the black rubber hose and ends up balancing the amount in the pump and the amount in the tube (water finds the level).. All working.
I like the look of that mast. May I ask how much it costs?
It was donated.. Apparently they are well up towards the £2,000 mark..
I think it would have been too much if the water was spurting out from the top of the mast!
WOAH!
Going shloshy shloshy instead of doingy doingy…😂
Shloshy shloshy!
Omg it looks so wrong you lubing up the pole 😂😂
I have no idea what you mean (!)
That would be great with a tow receiver mont on the back of a van or truck.
I actually have this exact pole with attachments for the back of a military land rover. With a small compressor it work really well.
You've been acquitted as glove won't fit! It's a OJ thing 🙂
HAHAHA
Your Hired master shafter
HA!!
"about 10 minutes" haha, did the grass get cut then?
Well err not quite in straight lines they yard guy was still laughing as we was trying to walk... 😇
Yeah.. All cut now!
Can it be possible a dx commander on the top and the mast acts like the ground plane? Just for Psico test
I'm sure it would work, yes.
How close is this mast to what one would call a "Hogan's Heroes " antenna?
No idea, sorry.
How much did you have to edit out?? 😉😂
A LOT!!
@@DXCommanderHQ I figured as much 😁
Coating your hand in the grease woulda helped get the gloves on .. ;)
Ugh! Not the silicon stuff! Vasaline!
😂👍
Lol
Rubber gloves. Are you studying to become a proctologist?
Good idea!