|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
You can
write your own review of the Max-Gain Systems Fiberglass Push-Up Mast.
|
KE5ZVC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 2, 2009 08:37
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great expandable product
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
I ordered 4 sections starting from the 2.5 in section. Now, I am ordering another two to add on, along with two of the NEW guy rings made just for this unit. I'll use the guy rings to not only guy the pole, but the guy wires will actually be a 20 dipole at one height, and a 40 meter dipole at a higher point!
I took the weight off the clamps by adding a stainless steel screw through each section 13 inches from the top, and the inside section rests on it.
Very reasonable price for the performance and convenience.
|
|
KE2TR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 25, 2009 11:27
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great LL 80mtr Vertical
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
I ordered 2 MK8's a few months back, but only put up one at this qth, used the 42ft with #12 wire and used 12' of 300ohm twinleed for LL at the center with 3 elevated radials, guyed once at 30'. Man this vertical worked great but had to take it down cause were moving qth's. The next qth I'm going to put up 2 of them and phase them with 4 elevated radials each, after the one worked out so well the two verticals should play excellent for E/W paths for DX. These masts are strong, I had them supported at around 12' at the base and guyed once at 30' with outstanding results, I will do the same at the new qth but maybe guy them 4 ways/every 90 degrees. Great HD push up mast.
|
|
KE7WRY
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 18, 2009 13:35
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
MK-8HD
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
Ordered the new MK-8HD on advice from MaxGain. I am so glad I went with it rather than the standard MK-8. It starts with 2-1/2" section & it is stout! Raises & lowers easy. Great product & if the need arises, will definitely get another one from them!
|
|
K6USN
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 30, 2008 08:55
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great for portable use !
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I recently purchased the 21.5 ft (8lb) version. This model breaks down into four foot sections.
It fits in my car, and is the perfect companion for the PAR end-fed dipoles. I can raise the mast, bungee it to a railing, and be on the air in 5 minutes. The PAR end fed dipoles don't require radials, so this combination of push up mast and antenna is very convenient for weekend
or portable use. An alternative to the bungee cord/fence rail mount is to take along an inexpensive patio umbrella stand and drop the 2 inch push up base into that for a self standing
system.
Great product, and the best quality fiberglass mast I've come across.
Allen
|
|
K5AF
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 30, 2008 07:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Low-Cost Vertical Alternative
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
43 Feet is something of a magic number lately. One manufacturer has a 43' aluminum vertical that is quite pricey, but seems to perform well.
I was looking for a lower-priced alternative that could serve multiple uses, and could also go with me to Field Day or other portable operations. I've found my mast.
It consists of 6 - 8 foot sections that are nested and secured by heavy-duty PVC clamps, for a total height of 43'. This is very easy to erect, more on that later. The whole thing weighs only 16 lbs. What's more, if you want a shorter mast, you can simply use sections to give you the height you want.
If you want a vertical antenna, simply run a wire on the inside or the outside of the mast. The real advantage, however is that you can run 300 ohm ladder line inside the mast an string a dipole from the top of the mast. You can use the dipole on multiple bands and then short the twinlead at the base to give you a top loaded vertical for the lower bands.
Raising this mast couldn't be easier. you can guy the bottom 8' section in the vertical position and have guy ropes attached as needed on the upper sections. Standing on the ladder, you can easily extend the upper sections. A better alternative, though, is to extend the top three sections with the mast on the ground. one person can easily raise the mast and secure the guys on the bottom section.
What is so amazing about this mast is that it rivals cheaper "fishing pole" masts in price. When you buy the 43' version, you have tremendous flexibility. You can create a 22' heavy-duty mast by leaving every other section nested for greater rigidity. When fully extended, the mast will sway in the breeze if not fully guyed, but minimum guying (at 18' and 36' points) will keep it in place nicely.
All in all, I am highly satisfied with this mast (I actually bought two) and am looking forward to exploring the many uses it can have!
|
|
KC9NIY
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 10, 2008 08:57
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Works Great
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I had been looking for a way of getting a 40m circular dipole (Tak-Tenna) up 30 feet and came across the MGS push up. I ordered the 40' mast so I'd have some wiggle room on the hight on Monday and it arrived two days later.
I normally wouldn't review a product that I've only had for 1 day but after putting it up we had a storm front come through that generated 60+ MPH winds.
The pole went together in about 5 minutes and is very straight forward. It is mounted in a 2.5' hole with no guy wires. The pole handled the winds with the antenna mounted with no problems.
I set the pole collapsed and raised it once it was set. The assembly is light enough to do that if you have a small antennae.
|
|
K4DZR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 20, 2008 18:10
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
DOES THE JOB!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
While searching for a source for fiberglass spreader arms for a quad I located Max-Gain. I reviewed their informative website and ordered the spreader arms and a MK6 push up mast. I had wanted a push up mast to support a 40mtr dipole and the lightweight feature of the MK6 was just what I wanted. I ordered from Allen on Monday and received everything FEDEX the next day! I followed the simple assembly instructions and had the mast with dipole up the following day. No guy wires needed. The quick clamps are well made. I used a hinged base that I had used before with a steel mast. Just walked it up and supported it with a nylon line to a tree that I just had "topped". I am saving the spreader arms for later to add a 4th element to my 3 element quad. They look great also. Great service from Max-Gain. The MK6 is a good way to suspend a dipole for an inverted V. It has taken 30MPH wind gusts so far without a problem.
|
|
AE6JN
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 16, 2008 18:55
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent Mast!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I ordered the MK-6 because from the description it seemed like it would be easy for me to set-up by myself. Well..it couldn't have been any easier! The mast clamps are great and make pushing it up a real breeze. I am using the MK-6 to support two dipoles. Before this I was using a 10ft Radio Shack mast. Now I have much better height (and performance) and didn't have to strain putting it up. Highly recommended.
|
|
W1YB
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 19, 2008 12:20
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Fine Product, GREAT service
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I ordered my mast with the request that it be shipped so that I received the mast on a specific day and time. It arrived almost 'on the dot', well packed and ready to go! I call that great service.
My mast supports an aluminum J-pole at approximately 22 feet extension. It is unguyed on my flat roof supported by a NPRM for a satellite dish. It has stood up through 50 MPH winds thus far. The mast sections are good quality fiberglass and the clamps are very secure. The clamps fit the mast so snuggly that I used a rubber mallet to tap them in place; no need for glue.
It works very well. I'm pleased in every way!
|
|
WK2Y
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 15, 2008 07:59
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Handy Item
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I live in the area so I was able to avoid shipping but these masts would still be worth it. I'm using one for a center support for an inverted G5RV. I have one additional guy rope. Clamps work nicely. Easy to raise and lower the antenna. Will make trying out new configurations easy. Nice and light but still rigid.
One caution. If you're planning on raising and lowering the mast remember you have to be able to reach the clamps. I was going for max height so I bought 8 foot sections. Only when I got it home did I realize that when vertical it wouldn't be possible to reach the clamp and push up the mast. Duh. I wound up having to cut off about 1.5 feet off the lower two sections.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
