John,

The general rule-of-thumb for a utility pole installation in sort-of normal
soil is 10 percent of the pole's length, plus 2 feet in the ground. For
example, a 40 foot pole would be placed in an augered hole 6 feet deep,
leaving 34 feet above ground. The hole should be back-filled and tamped to
provide support for the pole. No concrete is needed.

73, Larry - W1GOR


"John N9JG" wrote in message
...
I am in the planning stage for a 160 meters compact loop antenna. A loop
antenna may not have metal nearby, so I am planning to use a wooden pole to
support the top of the loop. In the ARRL Antenna handbook, it states that
"W5QJR made a pole of 2 x 4-inch lumber with 1 x 4-inch boards on either
side to form an I section. He held the boards together with 1/4-inch bolts,
2 feet apart and tied rope guys to the top. This made an excellent mast up
to 50 feet high."

Does anyone have any comments on the feasibility of an unguyed pole using
this same type of construction? Naturally, a portion of the pole would
have to be underground, and perhaps set in concrete. What about a 50 feet
pole, with 10 feet underground ,which would give you a 40 foot mast?

An alternative would be to have a contractor install a 40 feet utility
pole, but I assume the wooden pole described above would be less of an
eyesore (to the neighbors) than a utility pole.

Any comments and advice will be appreciated.
John, N9JG