Enthusiastic Steve takes a look at a Spiderbeam 12m mast / pole. He gives some tips on useful mods, errects it in breezy conditions and makes some Bloopers on the way (see end of video).
Mine's been out as a permanent installation for an end-fed in central Canada. -30C to 36C, strong winds, snow storms, everything. I've apparently over tightened a few sections, a devil to undo. Never collapsed.
I got this pole based on this video, thanks for that. I mostly use only the bottom 10m only - that way the top is more rigid and can handle a lightweight beam etc.
I discovered that a golf tee fits into the centre element fairly snuggly and they come in various bright colours. It might be worth a tiny blob of glue to secure it though.
I just bought one from Nevada, this is to support my 5/8 'wire gain master', I like to use vertical antenna in my small back garden. I already have a 10m 'DX commander' pole for my smart tuned 60-10m multi band vertical. Many thank's Steve for the informative video demonstration. Best 73 😎 🎙️ 📻 🎛️ 🔊 📶
Hello Ray, yes the spiderbeam is a sturdy pole, been using mine around the garden and out portable, it's working well. I also have just got a wire 5/8th vertical for 10m to try out on the pole. All the best, enjoy and good luck with antenna. Regards Steve M6WVV
How was the Thunderbolt ⅝w when you used it guys? I use a ⅝w Silver Rod for 10/11m and have a GM ⅝w waiting to go on the roof, but considering a wire antenna and a 12m spiderbeam, as heard good reports about them. Thanks for any info, 73's Ed. 26-CT-4078. Mcr 🇬🇧
Bought one of these from Spiderbeam directly and as you say not the cheapest but a real quality bit of kit. Love mine and I should have bought one a long time ago. Thanks for sharing.
Quality of this is really good, I have a DX Commander for portable use and use the Spiderbeam at home for a linear loaded vertical. You can’t compare the two as the price points make it an unfair comparison, they both do their job very well and no complaint s of either. Thanks for posting this, really useful tips. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 73 Mike
Thank you Mike, I use the spider beam at home and out mobile/portable. And use a light weight festival pole to extend my telescopic fibreglass pole attached to the shed. Got a discone and wire antenna on that. Enjoy the hobby, ty for the comment, regards Steve
Sure looks like a great quality product. Out of curiosity, why did it collapse near the end? Was it due to not tightening / twisting a particular section? I am planning to attach a Micro 4/3 camera to such a pole and I certainly wouldn't want to have it collapse with a camera on there! And obviously, due to the weight of the camera, I wouldn't attach it near the top where it's thinnest but lower down where it's thicker.
Yes, I should have been more firm with the twisting, for extra safety I just attach a little electrical tape overlapping each section, it stays up all day, used it in moderate wind, it flexes but very safe and strong. Regards Steve
@@EnthusiastSteveM6WVV SORRY, THIS IS BAD ADVICE. DO NOT USE ELECTRICAL TAPE ON THE POLE. de Rick, DJ0IP, Tech Support Manager @ Spiderbeam in Germany.
@@richardwesterman5773 thank you for the advice, I understand that some tape will damage the outer layer of the poles surfaces. So far after a good years use of your 12m spiderbeam it remains as new. I do admit I do use an electrical tape but the tape I use is a cheaper brand which has minimal stickiness. Like Richard has said using tape can be departmental to the pole. So best not. I am very pleased with this product and would not hesitate recommending this for amateur radio use. Regards Steve M6WVV
A light weight beam lower down the mast is possible using guy lines to steady should work. Just remember it's a fibreglass pole and can crush easily if clamps are too tight. You could suspend dipoles or add a vertical. Just keep inind the strength of the pole at all times.