Build the Amazing Paint Pole Vertical

Spring has arrived and every young ham’s thoughts turn to...antennas! With Field Day approaching, portability and ease of deployment are important considerations when choosing antennas. This article will focus on what I have dubbed the “Paint Pole Vertical.” Designed for 20m, this antenna performs well on other bands with the use of an outboard antenna tuner. It is unlikely that I am the only one to have built one of these, but I can’t recall ever having seen one written up. So, here it is!

The Antenna:

The Paint Pole Vertical is based on the aluminum paint poles commonly purchased in grocery and hardware stores. These are used to paint elevated surfaces or to clean upper story windows. One end of the pole has a plastic molding that permits a variety of tools to be attached while the other has a rubber handle.

There are typically three 5’ sections that telescope to the pole’s full height of 15’. The two section “joins” are through plastic friction binding hardware. One merely turns one segment relative to the one it runs within to loosen the segment after which it can be pulled out to its fullest extension. Simply turning the segment the opposite way tightens the segments up again.

It is necessary to provide conduction between the three segments. I use two pipe clamps and two aluminum ground wires per joint to electrically connect the three segments. This also reinforces the twist joints thus ensuring a rigid, one-piece design when erected.

Fifteen feet is not really long enough to properly cover 20m. I added an extensible whip antenna to the top of the antenna (common replacement part sold through consumer electronic specialty stores). This provides the additional electrical length needed and also provides a means by which the antenna can be tuned. The whip antenna was taped over the aluminum pole making a sound electrical connection.

Connecting The Antenna:

At the bottom of the antenna, there is a rubber handle (it is a paint pole, after all). I cut away a section of the handle approximately 1” square to reveal the aluminum pole at its base. I drilled and tapped a small hole there into which I inserted a sheet metal screw. The “hot” side of the transmission line is attached there. My antenna uses ladder line and the other side (ground) is left open to accept the ground plane radials.

The Ground Plane:

At this time, I have three 20’ lengths of insulated speaker wire. These are soldered together at one end and have small loops at each of the three free ends. The soldered cables are inserted into an alligator clip. This is in turn clipped to the open side of the ladder line and the radials are spread out in three directions from the base of the antenna. The small loops at the far ends allow the radials to be tied to supports or pegged to the ground. A slightly more “stealthy” approach would be to use single stranded black un-insulated wires for the ground plane. Three wires are sufficient, but more radials would improve the antenna’s performance.

At the tuner end of the ladder line, simply connect a short length of coax and a barrel connector.

Set-up:

My shack is located in the back of my home on the second floor. The antenna is lashed to a large maple in the yard. I used nylon ties to tie the antenna to the tree. The base of the antenna is approximately 12’ from the ground. The tip is approximately 20’ higher. Radials extend from the base and are anchored to trees at the far ends of each.

Tuning:

Place an SWR meter in line with the antenna and transmit a brief signal. Note the SWR. Lengthen and/or shorten the extendable whip for lowest SWR. Tape the segments of the extensible whip to maintain the extension intact. Now connect the antenna to your tuner. Select the band you wish to use and tune for maximum noise. Then, transmitting a tone, tune for minimum SWR. Repeat for other bands.

Results:

When I first tuned up this antenna for 20m I was extremely pleased with the results. This antenna is hot! I was hearing many more loud stations than was the case with my G5RV. Using an MFJ VersaTuner, I was able to achieve 1:1 matches on 20, 40 and 80m. At the time of writing, I have not tuned for any of the other bands. These are the ones I use most commonly. On my “maiden voyage” I cracked a pile up into Curacao after only five attempts. Signal report was “5/9 – good strong signal” out of London Ontario!

Portability:

This antenna is easy to put up and take down. It is light and transports easily. Collapsed, it stows in a car to make the trip to field day, or to other events within the community. The price can’t be beat. Paint poles retail for around $35.00 CAN and the whip, wire and fittings cost no more than $20.00 CAN. Compare that to the cost of obtaining a suitable commercially-built vertical antenna. For cost, portability and results, the Paint Pole Vertical can’t be beat!

73

Charles, VE3HBB (London, Canada)

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