I need to build 5m tower for TV aerial

This device is typically known as a "Secondhand Power Pole"

Look around for a second-hand (but good condition) windmill tower minus the windmill of course. Easily 5m or more tall and self supporting (no stay wires required) and you can easily climb them to install your antenna and masthead amplifier (which you will need if you are 50m from the house). Only three anchors required for the feet which can be achieved with quick setting cement and the chances of it blowing over even in a gale are just about zero.

Cheers, Alan

Drop and bark a suitable tree , a few dollars to have it stood and away you go . Allow about 2 metres for the ground buried bit .

What about satelite tv? Much cheaper, easier and better.

Friday.

get a foxtel/austar sat dish, a cheap sat receiver and apply for an aurora card

MMM tree for free and $75 for some rx aerial

or installation of dish $400.00 plus $29.00 a month

now tell me again which is cheaper ?

Yup, "point of attachment" pole, which is usually a 6m length of GWI pipe. Ring a sparky.

$29 a month? What about free to air? Still easier, still better, and if you look at the options, still cheaper.

Friday

sounds like a regular power-pole would do the trick.

granted there's not a whole lot of you can do your self, but it is a well-tested, and simple design

expect it to cost lots more than the guy-stabalised mast.

if the ground is soft perhaps one of your neighbours has a pile driver?

Bye. Jasen

While I respect the DIY approach, you should consider that Hills flog masts made of galvanised steel in single piece masts up to 6m and telescoping masts that go higher in 3m sections. They're pretty damn cheap for what they are - below is a link for an online seller, but pretty much any electrical wholesaler can get them.

I think you will find that is the type of product he was rejecting; with guy wires.

Actually, all he requires is

1) a 6.6m[1] length of gal pipe in say NB 80mm 2) and end cap for it. 3), the abilty to dig a hole 1.6metres deep (hard part) 4) 2-3 x 20kg bags of concrete mix (for 5" hole)

and he is away. This would give him a 5m pole.

The real problem is what wind strength he wants to protect against, which is why something like 80NB would be a good idea. Of course, this works best in heavy clay soils.

Depending on his welding skills, say light tig work, he could probably construct a climbable three strut job as well. It really depends on how fancy he wants it.

Only other consideration is what does it hit if it falls over, but if he is talking 50 metres away, I guess this isn't a serious consideration (i.e. not neighbours house)

[1] The usual length of pipe I can buy at local steel suppliers.

Thanks for all the input guys.

The old power pole or tree is a good and simple option granted, but it would need a 4wd truck to get it up there and isn't as diy.

I wanted to avoid guy wires because I've got hoon kids on motor bikes and a couple of steers that like to rub against everything.

The satellite tv with aurora I didn't know about so I'll check that out (I don't want the cost of Foxtel).

The 3 strut climable type was roughly what I was thinking of originally. I can arc weld and was looking for some idea of what the lightest, easiest construction I could get away with, hopefully with a plan out there somewhere.

Thanks.

Silly question maybe, but seeing as that you get *some* reception on digital, have you tried the highest gain antenna you can get? Are you using RG6 cable and F connectors etc to reduce your losses?

Dave :)

If you look on eBay you can probably get good prices on satelite equipment.

Friday

But it IS still DIY, proven, and not particularly expensive. A DIY lattice type

- or any cantilever (non-guyed) type - is still going to require a hole and concrete, which is far more time and effort than sourcing a length of GWI pipe.

understood from the O/P.

The real issue with DIY out there is how to satisfactorily treat the finished product to prevent corrosion. Cold galv paints are only so good. Maybe good enough for your requirement, but nothing special on welded joints.

Good luck whichever way you go.

suitable dish and lnb new will be around $100.00 size dependant . the rest wont be a great deal either , but I still think a suitable log barked and stood is very cheap and easy .

equipment.

True - you should be able to get a 6m long 200mm treated pine perfect round or maybe a little cheaper for a cambio or single peel log, if they're available. Despite being pine, it'd still be heavy, but nothing like a power pole. You would need a fairly decent old hole, depending on the kind of winds you get.

I think there's a section on masts in "the ARRL antenna book" try a library.

something like three 12mm (or 15mm) diameter corner rods with 8 or 10mm zigzag bracing between them, done in high tensile steel (same price as mild steel, but stronger, go to a place that supplies reinforcing steel. Stock lengths are (conveniently) 6m...

you'll probably spend more on rods for the welder, and rustproofing.

Bye. Jasen