Lightweight antenna tower for Launch Control

[dsigma]

The current antenna tower requires a big heavy 4x4 sheet of plywood, metal tripod, and long steel pipes for the antenna.

This could be replaced with a set of 3 ratchet straps on the ground, a 5ft metal tube with a stake in the bottom and a set of 3 sand screws 120 degrees apart around the metal tube. Then, a lite weight telescoping fiberglass rod could be inserted in the top of the tube with the antenna on the end. The whole thing would probably weight less then 10lbs.

• Antenna mast, fiberglass, telescoping, spec, up to 33ft, 80 bucks http://www.gigaparts.com/Product-Lines/Antenna-Masts/MFJ-1910.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwl7ieBRCK2rCtqcCS7jESJACZKQFK8hjDDIVEv2RYgYFaVFSyRQcwpdHrg1zLnm4-wlST_xoC9kHw_wcB
• Possible Earth Anchors
  • https://www.google.com/search?q=sand+screw&num=50&tbm=isch&tbo=u
  • https://www.google.com/search?q=earth+anchor&num=50&tbm=isch&tbo=u
  • https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa=1&q=leash+ground+anchor&oq=leash+ground+anchor

[dsigma]

Came across some other interesting tripod ideas. Not sure how useful/relevant, but interesting none the less... https://www.google.com/shopping/product/4665111384543184798?q=antenna+tripod http://chromacommunications.ca/product/lite-link-portable-antenna-tripod-stand/#!prettyPhoto http://www.camperpartsworld.com/Carryout-Portable-Satellite-Antenna-Tripod-Mount.html

[dsigma]

I think the ham radio outlet also had good telescoping mast options. This should be investigated.