Howdy folks! In this video we compare the $10 QRP Antenna pole that we previously reviewed and the 31′ Fiberglass Jackite pole. They both have their uses, but which one is the clear winner? Or IS there a clear winner?
The Jackite pole is great because it’s sturdy, tall, and very high quality. The QRP antenna pole found on eBay is a repurposed fishing rod. It’s not very tall, low quality, but also quite inexpensive.
Jackite Pole Comparison
So follow along as we compare the Jackite antenna pole with the ebay $10 antenna pole in the video below. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each pole, and you’ll be able to decide for yourself if the Jackite option is worth the price of if you’d prefer another solution. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel 🙂
Maybe you don’t have a few minutes to watch the video but you’d still like to know the outcome? We can accommodate that!
Conclusion
Really there is no clear winner. Each pole has its clear use. The eBay pole on an old camera tripod is very very inexpensive (less than $20) but the antenna pole is flimsy for all but the lightest antenna. The Jackite pole on the other hand is very robust, but also a lot more expensive. It also requires a sturdy mount, as it is much heavier and has a higher wind load. So the winner really depends on your needs. Personally, I’m using both as part of my G7FEK 80m-10m no-tuner antenna, and it works great.
Of course each ham radio operator with years of experience will have come up with things that work best fo them. Each person is sure to have some preferences and solutions that they prefer. What about you? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
3 comments
1 pings
The $10 Ebay pole sounds like a good match for the new QRP Guys Portable Tri-Band Vertical kit :
https://qrpguys.com/qrpguys-tri-band-portable-vertical-antenna
BTW a good trick to maximize usage of the pole length without damaging the end (often they crack just where the top section goes into the 2nd section) is to use a Fishing Snap Swivel and an appropriately sized and slightly modified ring terminal, as a means of securing a lightweight wire to the top of the pole. As a picture is worth 1000 words below is a link that explains how to do this :
http://www.qsl.net/ve3wmb/VE3WMB/Blog/Entries/2010/9/28_Field_Doublet_centre_support.html
This solution can be used for lightweight doublets or light vertical wires.
72 de Michael, VE3WMB
Myron, WV0H, has a great blog and in it he discusses using a “Mason’s spike or nail” to support the Jackite or any fishing pole antenna. I have used this method for a few years with good success and no longer need support ropes. Look at his blog re this as his photos are excellent. In short I use a 36″ iron nail, fasten the pole to it with stainless steel hose clamps, usually drive the nail in half way depending on how supportive the soil is. I get the hose clamps with the knobs on them (Auto Zone) so I don’t need the small wrench. Also use the smaller hose clamps to tighten many of the telescoping joints to prevent collapse.
Enjoy,
Dave K8WPE
What ultimately worked for me isn’t either of those options. It’s a third one that alas is even more costly, a 23′ SOTAbeams pole: https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/compact-heavy-duty-7-m-23-ft-mast/ US hams will do better to order from DX Engineering; the delivered cost is about the same and you get your pole a lot more quickly.
It’s not as long as the 31′ Jackite but it’s long enough to be useful. (You get to use the full 23 feet.) And it has a key advantage: it collapses down to 2′ rather than 4′. A lot of my portable operations are in places I reach by public transit, so every piece of gear must be carried from home and typically across multiple conveyances. (Combinations I have done include subway train to bus to trolley to a hike at the end, and two subway trains to ferry to hike.) I found my Jackite too big to carry around easily; I will either be using it for a home installation or selling it.
One location I like to operate from is the Boston Harbor Islands. As is typical for coastal islands, winds can get severe. The fishing pole supports simply aren’t up to surviving under those conditions. They also come up short (sic) for summits, another type of location known for high winds. The SOTAbeams pole has thus far handled everything I can throw at it.
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