Setting up a Sectional Mast

This shows how a single person can set up a sectional mast to support ham radio antennas.
This can be used for portable antennas, Field Day, Emergency Communications, SOTA, and other temporary operations.

[@hornetd]

I truly appreciate your taking the time to make this video. I'm going to post a link for use as a training aid for my local Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) volunteers.
I hope that you won't mind my sharing some additional tips to go along with your mast raising technique.
Attaching a halyard prior to raising the mast will make the antenna installation easier and faster.
Using a guy ring made from cheap plastic cutting board or any piece of >/=1/4 inch thick plastic will permit the halyard to be at least slightly free of the guy lines.
Installing 2 halyards is never a bad idea.
All halyards should be made up as loops; called endless reeves by sailors; to prevent the rope from running through the pulley and falling back to the ground thus forcing you to lower the mast to reinstall the halyard through it's pulley.
Antenna elements can be used as guy lines. This is especially useful for crossed dipoles with a common feed point. You'll have to devise a center insulator attachment which will withstand the tension.
Tom Horne W3TDH

[@practicalantennas1754]

Hi Tom,
Glad you found it useful. I tried to keep the video simple, so I didn't include the halyard or other additions on the mast to avoid confusion. I discuss those on the website, including photos of supports for dual halyards, etc.
I've had many hams try this technique at my Field Antenna Workshops, and even those who weren't very tall or strong could set it up to 28' by themselves, although some might stop at 20' (which is often high enough). I made the video to share the technique with others who aren't local - it really is fairly easy to do.
- Dale WB6BYU

[@wallstreettrader1]

@@practicalantennas1754 Fantastic video.

[@vaughanweather]

Best video out there for this and it looks like you're using military surplus tent poles

[@erickdahan7474]

an incredibly informative and well explained, and extremely practical video. I've figured out some of these things throughout the years and glad to see that I am not the only one using these techniques. The loading of the mast from the bottom is so practical. Thanks again!

[@BrooksBarrow]

Great video! Thank you.

[@hamn9iif]

Great videos very interesting