Jackite 31 Foot Pole for Portable Ops

I wanted something to take portable, that would allow me a sufficient height above ground, and not require tossing line into trees...or trying to find trees. The Jackite pole was recommended to me.

While this 31 foot, telescoping pole is for their custom-made kites, it works great with lightweight antenna line. The key is to keep the matchbox/balun and coax at the bottom. That way, you only minimally bend the top of the pole, as it looks and behaves more like a giant fishing pole than a stiffer pole.

As I use it with LNR (Par) EndFedz antennas, I fasten the end of the resonator to the pole, and then put a nylon electric fence pole in the ground. I run the antenna as a sloper, and with a piece of cord, I hook the matchbox to the pole. This allows the electric fence pole to absorb the weight of the matchbox and coax. As the electric fence pole has a spike and step pad, it is super easy to just step on it and the stake is driven into even hard ground.

You can simply bungee cord the Jackite pole to a fence post, picnic table, etc., I came up with a great alternate design, where a pole, table or other support isn't available. I took 2 pieces of PVC pipe (one slightly smaller than the other), and fastened them together, side by side, with some hose clamps. The pole won't quite slide into it with the rubber bottom cap, so I slide the pole in from underneath. I then simply slide the smaller pipe over one of those green garden fence poles. I got a short one, and it works perfectly. No other supports are necessary.

UPDATE: If you run something like fishing line to the eyelet, you can lower the antenna to change it. This would allow you to change mono-band antennas, go from QRP to full power, etc.

I've never tried it, but I have one of those extender bars that fits into a receiver on my truck. Instead of having it go out, if it were vertical, a piece of chain link fence railing could be put inside and be great for sliding the Jackite pole over.

UPDATE: I bought a tailgating flagpole holder. You can make one with some wood, but this one is neat. It fits underneath the tire, The tube fits down into it, and a cotter pin locks it in place. Normally, this is all you need to do. The actual Jackite pole on my stand is a tad larger. So, I take the two PVC mounting poles and slip one over the tube, just like with the fence pole method.

One thing to watch out for is tightening it too much, or tightening it while under tension. I sort of got the last piece stuck in place like that. I've read where one or two people had them break and criticized them. Use common sense here. My EF dipole has a bit of slack in it...I don't try to make it completely straight, as I know that is a lot of tension.

A suggestion I can also make is if you design a wire antenna, use small gauge wire, and the pole barely knows it is there. As long as you can get sufficient bandwidth for your needs, the lighter wire performs great. I recommend (and use) Silky wire by The Wireman.

Springtime...time to snag some 6m and DX

Well, spring has sprung... Time to get on the radio and see who is out there. I have somehow managed to talk to W1AW 3 times in 3 days. I've never talked to the ARRL station before. I got some new countries recently. I'm gradually making my way through the Caribbean countries. For a while, I wondered if I was ever going to get anything except Europe. Now, it seems like the RF Gods are directing me south, toward sunny, warm waters and into South America. For that, I am grateful. Now, if I just could snag that one state that is preventing me from getting my WAS.

I got the Small Antennas for Small Spaces book, by ARRL. Delay renewing your membership, and they get generous! Plus, I downloaded the issues I missed to my computer, so the only thing is just no hard copy issues laying around. I only casually read some of it last night and today, but it looks like it has some really good information.

I've been cruising through the 6m band, but haven't heard anybody. I thought I heard something today, but it was so weak that I couldn't be certain it was actually people. With a Par OA-50, fed with RG-8X at about 20 feet, I don't expect to get around the world. But, ya do what ya gotta do. I will say that when 6m opens up, I've gotten south Texas and south Florida with s-9 reports.

I have mentioned this before, but I use Par EndFedz antennas for /P. They are now made by LNR Precision. Combined with a Jackite telescoping pole at 31 feet, they do extremely well. They are a bit pricey, but they can be put up in several configurations, and once you cut them for SWR, they perform great.

Anyway, that's about it for now. Good luck with your radio adventures.