[Harc] buddipole

[Howard, KB6NN]

Richard,

I think if you had the Buddipole Deluxe, you might find yourself going portable as a new way to use it.  I don't own one, but the Deluxe is the one I would get.  Jim Armstrong loved his, I don't remember who bought it from his estate, but I know it sold fast.  Others may reply who own/use one.

In general, it certainly will work at 17 feet, on 10 meters, when the band is open.  I would not recommend it as a permanent home antenna solution.  It is not built for that, and I would imagine it will suffer damage in the wind.  If you are out camping with a Buddipole and the winds get strong enough to challenge your tent, you'll take the Buddipole down as a precaution.

Far simpler would to erect a support pole or mast, and run a wire dipole antenna.  I say a mast, because with one high support, and Paracord off the ens of the two 8-ft legs of the 16-ft 10 meter dipole, the Paracord tied to tent stakes, or something taller, you can have an effective low-cost antenna to use while you are deciding on other options for permanent home installation.

If the dipole runs in a straight line, and is at least 16 feet off the ground, you have a good bi-directional antenna for HF.  If the yard doesn't allow for this, and the legs droop to points near or at ground level, the radiation pattern will be more omni-directional and this antenna will be called an "inverted vee".

Either of these will likely outperform the Buddipole, except that the Buddipole is rotatable, but once again, not designed to be rugged enough for permanent all-weather installation.  For temporary use, good.  Take it down after use.

If you want a more all-weather antenna, you can buy a 20-ft 2x2 Douglas Fir post, paint it against the elements (yes, please paint it), and put that up as a mast.  When I have done that, I run the coax up one side of the mast, taping it in place every few feet, and put the center insulator for the dipole at the top.  I have tried a fiberglass telescoping mast, but the end section is too flimsy to hold a dipole.  Wood is easier for me to work with than metal, but your experience may be different.

I could go on and on and often do, so I'll cut it off here.  More answers available to more questions as needed.

Howard, KB6NN

On 7/9/2020 2:53 PM, Richard Kern KN6FXK via Harc wrote:
> Hello all.
> 
> I'm considering the buddipole system, with the 16 foot mast.
> 
> Has anyone purchased the "deluxe" version?
> 
> Are the tripod and mast well made?  I'm considering using this instead of
> mounting something on the roof.  I might want to swap out the buddipole with a
> high-gain 2-meter antenna on occasion.
> 
> Is the buddipole, at the 16-foot level, adequate for hf use?  I'm hoping for
> something on the 10meters so I can start playing the digital games.
> 
> Any recommendations for or against?
> 
> I understand the advantage of portability, but I'm not sure I'd spring for the
> system just for field use.
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> kn6fxk - Richard
> 
> 

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