Tips for Working with Mini-Poles

The two Spiderbeam Mini-Poles have several thin segments near the top.  Mounting the feedpoint (balun) of a dipole is slightly different since there is no clamp between the pole segments.

 

The following shows one way to easily attach the feedpoint of antennas such as Spiderbeam's Aerial-51 Models 404-UL or 807-L.

 

[Note: The Model 807-HD is too heavy for use with these Mini-Spiderpoles] 

 

 

STEP ONE:  Prepare the Attachment Rope

 

Spiderbeam's 2mm Kevlar Guy Rope is excellent for this, but its 1mm Kevelar Guy Rope may also be used. 

Both are strong enough.

 

  • Prpare a long loop as shown in 1A.  Don't forget to prepare the ends of the loop (see:   ).
  • Tie two knots in the rope as shown in 1B.

The loop will later be inserted in the eyelet of the balun's mounting screw.

STEP TWO:  Prepare the Pole

 

  • Locate the junction (joint) of the two pole segments where the antenna feedpoint is to be attached.
  • Wrap 3 layers of "Coroplast Tape" above the joint.
  • Wrap 3 layers of Coroplast Tape below the joint.
  • Then wrap tape over the joint of both tubes.

Note:  "Coroplast Tape" is a very special, pressure-sensitive tape which does not use glue to stick to the surface to which it is applied.  It uses self-adhesion.  It does not leave a sticky, gooie residue when removed, like electrical tape or duct tape does.

 

 

    STEP THREE:  Attach Rope-Loop to Balun

 

  • Insert the loop through the eyelet of the balun
  • Insert the open end of the rope loop through                                the loop passing through the eyelet.
  • Pull tight.

 

When finished, it should look like the drawing on the right  ------------------------->

 

STEP FOUR:  Attach Balun to Pole

 

  • Insert a small wire-tie thrugh the loop.
  • Wrap the wire-tie around the upper pole, just above the joint of the two segments.
  • Pull tight.  Pulling tight compresses the tape slightly.   The wire-tie cannot slip down the pole.

 

See photo (below) for what it looks like.

 

INTERESTING  FIELD  TEST

 

The plan was to erect the 10m Mini Pole with the 807-L mounted to it, leave it up for a few days, then take it down again.

 

When I put it up, it was 24 degrees Celcius (75 F).

Two days later it snowed.  Then it rained or snowed for 5 more weeks.

 

During that time the temperature was droping as low as -5C at night and sometimes as high as 10C during the day.

 

The pole with 807-L antenna stayed up the entire time.

 

When it finally warmed up (20 C), I took the pole and antenna down.

 

During the 5 weeks that the antenna was up, the pole never collapsed, despite the fact that I did not use any tapes or clamps on the junctions between pole segments.  However, I did tighten the friction locks as tight as I possibly could.

 

When taking it down, I was wearing my very thin leather gloves, which assures a non-slip grip on the pole.  The friction locks between some of the segments did not want to loosen; so I used the procedure as described HERE.

 

However, while using that procedure, I left the pole in place, loosly strapped to the wheel-mount, raised it slightly, then pushed it downwards hard.  The friction locks broke lose first attempt, every time.

 

IMO, for a typical day-outing, you won't need any clamps and tape is only necessary at the junction where you attach the antenna.