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

Thanks for your comments. My current thinking on this matter is to purchase
a 35 or 40 feet hinge base fiberglass flagpole. Going this route costs a few
bucks, but the flagpole only weighs about 75 pounds and can be moved in the
event that I change QTHs. http://www.excelsails.com/flagpole.htm


"Cencom" wrote in message
...
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:
Thanks for your comments. My current thinking on this matter is to purchase
a 35 or 40 feet hinge base fiberglass flagpole. Going this route costs a few
bucks, but the flagpole only weighs about 75 pounds and can be moved in the
event that I change QTHs. http://www.excelsails.com/flagpole.htm


"Cencom" wrote in message
...

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



Make sure that the pole can support the wind load of your proposed
antenna's. Remember fiberglass is strong but brittle and will snap is
overloaded.

Dave WD9BDZ

Thanks, Dave, for mentioning this. In my case the pole will be supporting an
octagon shaped loop made out of 100 feet of 3/4" copper pipe. The top of the
loop will be several feet below the pole top, and if necessary I will guy
the top of the pole.

"David G. Nagel" wrote in message
...
John N9JG wrote:
Thanks for your comments. My current thinking on this matter is to
purchase a 35 or 40 feet hinge base fiberglass flagpole. Going this route
costs a few bucks, but the flagpole only weighs about 75 pounds and can
be moved in the event that I change QTHs.
http://www.excelsails.com/flagpole.htm


Make sure that the pole can support the wind load of your proposed
antenna's. Remember fiberglass is strong but brittle and will snap is
overloaded.

Dave WD9BDZ