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| Reviews Summary for Penninger Specialized Antenna Hardware and Aluminum Tubing |
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Reviews: 10
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $(missing—add MSRP)
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Description: Tripods, Mast clamps, Tipping bases, Roof mounts, Tire mounts, Accessories, Side arm brackets, Mast tubing, Aluminum rounds & flats, Post mount brackets and Long sleeves.
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.PenningerRadio.com
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write your own review of the Penninger Specialized Antenna Hardware and Aluminum Tubing.
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K5UJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 2, 2011 12:27
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Rugged mast for rough WX
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Penninger Radio
http://www.penningerradio.com/
915 Atlantic Drive
West Chicago, Illinois 60185
630-336-7641 phone, 9 AM to 8 PM
630-231-3545 fax, any time
E-mail to Sales@PenningerRadio.com
This is a review of a custom built tilt-over 50 foot tall aluminum mast that Charlie Penninger designed for me. This mast has been up in the Chicago area weather for almost 18 months at the time of this writing with no problems.
In spring 2009 I went to Charlie Penninger with an antenna support requirement. I wanted to erect a wire antenna support that would be almost free-standing, but not a lattice tower, that would be 50 feet tall or close to that height, and capable of holding up an inverted L wire and one end of a dipole as close to a property boundary as possible with little sway in the wind. Some flexing would be okay but I didn't want a mast that would bend over horizontal like a wet noodle. I was prepared to pay up to $1000.
Previously I had experimented with a horizontal loop antenna (near one wavelength at 4 MHz) but after a few years of use I had concluded that it really needed to be much higher than 30 feet to work well, and I simply could not afford the number of tall supports needed to get it high enough to perform satisfactorily.
A basic rule of horizontal wire antenna performance is that height trumps size, i.e. a half-wave dipole high up beats a big low 1 wave loop every time due to substantially reduced ground loss that is realized at heights approaching 1/4 wave length. So I decided to give up on the loop and use what little money I had on one good tall support where I needed it most, and use a tree in a lucky location for the other end of a half-wave center fed 80 meter dipole that I hoped would be 45 to 50 feet high. (I eventually learned that I gained about 10 dB over the loop by moving to the dipole 20 feet higher up.)
There were a few complications standing in the way of some obvious (and cheaper) solutions. Inexpensive cheap steel push up poles were out because their guying requirements prevented them from being placed anywhere close to a property line. A free standing lattice tower was out because of local ordinances regulating "towers." I was willing to do some guying, but it had to be done in a way that would be helpful but allow the base of the mast to be no farther away from a property line than 10 feet (I reside on a 50 x 100 foot lot). A bit of geometry calculating led me to believe that I could three-way guy a 50 foot mast 3/5 of the way up and have a minimally effective guying angle, get the base of the mast close enough to the property line to have some room for a hanging ends dipole, with two of the anchors inside the property boundary. The top 20 feet would have to be free standing, but I figured the wind load of wires would not be all that great.
Once I got this far I started wondering if an aluminum mast would get the job done and I went to Charlie Penninger with what I had to see if he could come up with anything.
With the information I gave him, he came back to me after about two weeks with a construction plan for a 50 foot tall aluminum mast that would be made with 3 inch o.d. 1/8 inch wall tubing, guyed at one level 31 feet up, and would hinge over at the base and be mounted to a 10 foot tall pressure treated 6" x 6" post in the ground 3 or 4 feet. The mast was made with three lengths of tubing, 8 feet at the base, 24 feet to the guy point, and 18 feet above that free standing. A removable wench at the top of the post would be employed to pull up the mast using a 3 inch wide nylon strap. The total cost of the mast including the mounting hardware, section unions, wench, and other hardware came in at a bit over $900. I only had to get the post and get it in the ground level and positioned where I wanted the mast to go and facing a direction from which I could crank it up.
With the help of Jeff KB9YSJ (who I must admit did all of the work) the post made it to my QTH and got put in the ground, along with three earth screw guy anchors from Glen Martin. This was the last week of July 2009. The following Thursday, I came home from work to find that Charlie Penninger had built the mast and it was mounted and laying over on the ground ready to crank up. What service! Now, I'm not going to say that he'll do that for everyone--I just happen to reside a few miles away from his store--but I am confident he will do everything he can reasonably be expected to do to make a customer happy, regardless of where the customer is located.
At this point I got the bright idea that with a 50 foot mast insulated from the ground by the wood post, all I had to do was add a 15 foot aluminum stinger to the top and I'd have a quarter wave vertical on 80 m. After I got over the size of the thing (it looked huge on the ground) I came up with enough scrap small diameter tubing and self tapping screws to put together a stinger and spent a day bolting it to the top of the mast, along with a PVC side arm for holding the top of an inverted L wire for 160 m. Then I attached a pulley to hold the rope for one end of a low band dipole (the original purpose of the mast), and dacron guy ropes for three way guying. At the last minute I bolted on a second PVC standoff at 30 feet to hold another wire for 40 meters. I was getting as much antenna mileage out of this mast as I could!
When we cranked it up it bowed over as if it were about to launch a giant arrow, but we were quickly able to crank it up past the critical angle and suddenly it was up. It was a two man operation, partly because I wanted to be under the mast with a ladder to push it, just in case it needed help. That turned out to be completely unnecessary, but it did give me confidence in the mast once the wind blew later in the fall.
I purposely waited to write this review to give the mast some time in the weather. I am delighted to report that it has come through with flying colors, especially with the 2 1/2 day cyclone we had here at the end of October this year, during which we were battered with high winds during a record inland low pressure that produced gradients causing sustained 50 mph winds gusting to over 70 mph. Does it move in the wind? Certainly-it's aluminum. Does it move too much? Not at all--I'd describe it as a gentle swaying.
This mast was not inexpensive, and if you have not purchased steel, aluminum or copper in 20 years, you may be in for sticker shock, but I think it will last a long time. Antennas are still the best ham radio investment most of us can make since a good antenna will still be in service long after that new rig has become out of date. If you want both top quality material and a reliable design or professional advice on your antenna hardware needs and this includes relatively small orders such as a single 10 foot tube, I would go to Penninger Radio every time.
73
Rob
K5UJ
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NI2S
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2010 21:13
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Rock solid products
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I purchased the 35ft mast with clamps and the tipping base. The tipper base is really well built. The extra thick walled mast tubing and the heavy duty clamps made for a totally solid mast that handled my FD antenna array with ease. Before purchasing this mast system, I spent a lot of time scouring the internet for an affordable portable mast system that could handle a decent antenna load. I could find nothing on the market at this price point anywhere near as good. Highly recommended.
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N9CHA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 30, 2010 17:14
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FD2010 Success Using Penninger Radio Mast
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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FD2010 is now in the log! Our 3A station was a breeze to set up using Penninger Radio mast equipment. We used 6 five foot snap tubes, a tripod, mast clamp and a five foot fiberglass tube. The mast was easy to haul, light weight, and very easy to assemble. This 35' structure held our 2/440 vertical, 6 meter beam and used the Penninger Radio pulley system to hoist up a center-fed 40 meter folded dipole. A special slip ring and tube joiner, both available from Penninger Radio, allowed us to easily rotate the mast and beam combination using our arm-strong rotor.
Next year we hope to have the "Tipper" on site. Not sure if we'll use the four-legged version or the drive-on, but for sure we'll keep investing in his equipment.
If you're looking for a professional product that delivers, you will be happy you bought products from Penninger Radio. I know I am! Greg N9CHA
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KJ4SLP
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 24, 2010 12:26
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In a class by itself
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Penninger gear is in a class by itself. I recently ordered mast tubing, clamps, and a tipper. The goods arrived very promptly, well packed and in perfect condition. Compared to competing products that I have seen, these look like they will outlast the pyramids. The build quality is exceptional, from the machining of the clamps to the silky-smooth deburring of the tubing. Charles Penninger is a little more expensive than his competitors but there is no doubt at all that his work is worth every penny.
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NQ5T
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 13, 2009 09:24
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First rate products
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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In looking for guy rings that can support mast guys for a rotatable fiberglass mast I found Penninger through a link on the Max-Gain website.
The 2" diameter slip-ring guy rings and associated hardware and bushings (to fit mast section diameters under 2") are beautifully machined. The slip ring itself rotates against a large (nylon or teflon??) bearing surface that also extends through the center hole, so there is no rotating metal directly in contact with the mast.
These are not your local hardware store's variety of guy rings. The ring itself is machined from a 3/16" aluminum plate. Just what the doctor ordered for a rotating guyed mast with no risk of gouging the fiberglass, and virtually no added rotational resistance.
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KC9BGT
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 14, 2008 05:56
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COOL !! {*,_,*}
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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COOL…
Charles is a professional machinist and builds all kinds of specialty parts with exacting detail and precision.
On my last visit to his shop, I left in such aw of his alacrity and craftsmanship he spent on my specialty piece.
I am pleased not only with his price but also with his calm and friendly demeanor.
This not only encouraged me to write a Great review but also entices me to go back when I need something else.
This is my 2nd review. This time I needed specialty piece for a coil for my mobile antenna for 40 meters. (Hand-Crafted by N9ZV)
My experience this time was enjoyable, and was much like my first visit. I was in and out, with a minimum discussion of what I needed.
I feel as I received a great piece (being it was a specialty piece) at a more then fair price.
I highly recommend and have no qualms with advocating Charles for all your and all your friends antenna specialty items needs.
Again, thank you Charles.
http://www.penninger.com
630-336-7641
WK9P
Jimbo
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KC9BGT
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 24, 2007 19:19
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all I can say is WOW
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I needed a special part for my Mobile antenna's mast and mount.
Charles, was able to machine exactly what I needed within 30 min.
Fantastic Job!! Thanks Charles.
I would recommend him in a heart-beat.
WK9P
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KC7KZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 20, 2007 19:54
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Exceptional Craftsmanship
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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During a tower installation, I found myself in need of a one of a kind bushing to mate a mast to a thrust bearing that had a two set screw non-centering design. Sounds like an easy problem to solve. Well, turned out not so easy around my QTH. I was unsuccessful in finding someone with a simple machine tool lathe and 3" aluminum stock that was willing to manufacture the bushing. Then, I found Charles Penninger. He advertises custom machining services to manufacture that special plate, bracket, bushing, or whatever. All he needs is a drawing to work with. One quick call, a simple diagram and a fax, and a few days later I was provided a custom machined bushing that perfectly mated the mast to the thrust bearing. The cost was very very reasonable as well. If you got something you need made to put your system together, I most highly recommend Charles. Hams helping Hams is a very good thing.
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N8DDW
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 11, 2007 08:56
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Excellent Products for building an Ant. Farm Fast!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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OK, where has this guys stuff been my whole life? If you are looking for a nice grouping of products that are light, strong, easy to assemble (by yourself) and can quickly and easily get you up in the air fast, you found the right stuff! I'm an engineer, so I appreciate the quality. Its aluminum, so its light and easy to handle. I have several sections of the 2" x 6' x 1/8" "snap mast" using the "snap tube" joiners which I mounted to a 4x4 base using the less expensive "post mounts" (there are many versions of bases but I went with the most economical). Bada Bing, in no time at all a single individual who isn't impaired can have a vertical or small beam 20 to 30 feet in the air in absolutely no time. In my case, its a Hustler 6 BTV up 20'. Ok, this stuff isn't cheap (relatively speaking in comparison to steel) but guys, wake up, Aluminum has been the way to go for me for decades... I like being able to tilt up, tilt down, work on the ground, lift it all myself with no help needed. If you start using Penniger's stuff, you'll not only get hooked on it, you'll have antennas sprouting up all over the place! A fine product engineered and made right here in America... I challenge anyone to find an easier solution to your antenna erecting needs!
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K2YT
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 8, 2007 14:12
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Perfectly done
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have two "Roof Mount Tippers" from Penninger. At the moment I have 36 feet of 2" diameter 1/8" mast on each one, with guys and a backstay on each one. They support a dipole perfectly. I'm going up to 48 feet soon. These are beautifully engineered products. Nicely done and worth every penny.
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