Cart Mountable Antenna Masts

[JonG]

I'm looking into different options for an antenna mast for my cart, and would like it to be cart mountable instead of having to lug around a c-stand. What are people out there using, and what are the pros and cons in your own personal opinion?

[ProSound]

This is a light stand that instead of legs has a baby pin receiver on the bottom of it. I have mine attached to my PSC cart via hose clamps works great 

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-099B-Extension-35-Inches-92-Inches/dp/B001GCUNKS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377782826&sr=8-2&keywords=manfrotto+light+pole

[jason porter]

I bought a cheap-ish aluminum light stand (Westcott, 10 foot, $79) and pulled the tripod legs off. It is attached to the cart with 2 Quick Fist clamps.

Pros- cheap, light, secure, height, easy to break down

Cons-

[Malcolm Davies Amps CAS]

I'm looking into different options for an antenna mast for my cart, and would like it to be cart mountable instead of having to lug around a c-stand. What are people out there using, and what are the pros and cons in your own personal opinion?

Jon, On the carts that we manufacture we buy a Manfrotto MA1052Bac Compact stand and remove the tripod. This gives us a 2.7 metre 2 section mast which is fastened to the cart. The tripos that is left is made into a mic stand by putting a boss into the top where the 2 section tube went through and this makes a very sturdy stand when you want something remote for your FX mic.

[Dan Joseph]

Recently used a cheap boom pole with a K Tek L bar.  Could also go with a fiberglass painters pole.

[Matthias Richter]

I bought this Manfrotto light stand as my antenna mast

http://www.thomann.de/gb/manfrotto_1004bac_124366_cm_black.htm

and build this tripod bag cart from the base

[taylormadeaudio]

I'm looking into different options for an antenna mast for my cart, and would like it to be cart mountable instead of having to lug around a c-stand. What are people out there using, and what are the pros and cons in your own personal opinion?

Hey Jon,

I know you said you don't want to lug around a c-stand, and if it's due to weight, I understand. However, have you considered attaching the c-stand in such a way that you can use it both on the cart or remotely if needed? I went this route with my antennas (4 ALP 650's) by way of bolting two Mayfer clamps (aircraft-grade bolts) to my Magliner cart's frame.

I know there are some very elegant alternatives out there (as illustrated above) but in order to get the desired 6' between antennas, I needed something really wide and sturdy. I feel secure with this design, and like the ease with which I can detatch and remote it if need be. So strength of build, quickness, possible location and weather-related issues trumped weight in my case, so I stuck with the c-stand... (my cart's already a huge pig when it comes to weight, so a c-stand doesn't make much difference.)

Anyhow, just thought I'd share that. I'm on my phone right now, but could probably post some pics later if anyone's interested. In any case, I hope you find a solution that fits your needs. Good luck...

~tom

[montybuckles]

uncabled aluminum ktek pole w. a ktek shark has worked out great for me.

[RPSharman]

Top 2 sections of lightweight stand, cross-brace designed for a combo stand serves as antenna bar, loc-line mounts, female baby mount and a utility male baby pin in the middle.

All for about $150



Such a good deal, I have 2. Other stand is pipe clamped to my vertical magliner "bag" cart. The extra cross bar with spare antennas is ready to rig on that or process trailers, etc.

[studiomprd]

" options for an antenna mast for my cart, "

broomsticks, painters poles, pvc (etc ) pipes and tubes... pointers, mic stands (with out the bottoms...)

[soundtrane]

in 2008, i designed and got built locally my own aluminium 'boom poles for antennas' and i use a set of perspex pieces with holes in them in the right places to rig the antennas themselves... 

[FredS]

I went for a couple of 3-foot carpenter's clamps from Harbor Freight. My first ones were light duty and broke too easily, but the heavier-duty ones are great. Theory says for optimal diversity performance the masts should be spread further than the width of my cart, but I've not identified any problems arising in practice.

And those green foam balls are eyeball-protection for my tall boom ops. Toys-R-Us for them. And a great conversation-starter for everyone from visiting civlians to jaded veterans.

 

All this can be yours for under $30.

 

Fred

[JonG]

Thank you everyone for your input!

I'll go over everything and see what works best for me.

I probably should have mentioned that I have a (very) old Skyline upright collapsible cart, so the real challenge is figuring out how to mount anything to it and keep it collapsible. Mag liners are a no brainer, but my Gemini jr is not as travel friendly so it stays at home primarily as a work bench

[JonG]

David, that is a very elegant solution. Thank you very much for your detailed input and photos!

[TJW]

Jon, On the carts that we manufacture we buy a Manfrotto MA1052Bac Compact stand and remove the tripod. This gives us a 2.7 metre 2 section mast which is fastened to the cart. The tripos that is left is made into a mic stand by putting a boss into the top where the 2 section tube went through and this makes a very sturdy stand when you want something remote for your FX mic.fx mic stand.jpg

 

I used to do the same as Malcolm and use the telescopic part of a lightweight lighting stand with the legs removed. I then moved to Lectros with active antennae. I now have 37m of antenna cable on the side of the cart, the attenuation of which matches the gain of the antennae. I have now mounted a folded stand complete on the cart and like Mr ProSound use a vertical pin on the cart into a hole drilled into the base of the stand to support the lower end. The upper part of the stand is secured with a pipe clip on a 6mm spacer so the whole stand can be clipped on and off in seconds and the antennae on the extended stand can be repositioned to get the best range. 95% of the time the stand stays fixed to the cart. 5% of the time a reposition and 37m of cable ready to go, averts a problem. Particularly useful in Europe where we are limited to 50mW and a bit of creativity on the receiver end will make 50mW go a long way, and very reliably. 

 

Tim

[RadoStefanov]

I use an internally wired ktek aluminum pole. Having my mast internally cabled makes collapsing a lot easier and cleaner. I mouth it to my car with boom pole holder rings with extra Velcro on top. It is easier to take of the card and put it back on.

[Wandering Ear]

I use an internally wired ktek aluminum pole. Having my mast internally cabled makes collapsing a lot easier and cleaner. I mouth it to my car with boom pole holder rings with extra Velcro on top. It is easier to take of the card and put it back on.

What cable do you use inside the pole? Rg58?

I use a manfrotto light stand and a stereo bar. I mount the whole stand on the cart with a pair of 10' cables, and it's easily remoted when needed with a pair of 50' cables. Works well for me.

[BudRaymond]

Has anyone mounted a Ktek shark to a baby pin/c-stand? What hardware did you use?

[Prahlad Strickland]

I'm planning a single shafted mount 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546540-REG/Manfrotto_099B_3_Section_Extension_Pole_35.html

+

This mounted on top  http://www.rfvenue.com/rf-venue-diversity-fin-antenna

+

This http://www.rfvenue.com/rf-venue-24-ghz-microphone-helical-antenna

Mounted a foot below and clipped on with this....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/887901-REG/Dinkum_3013_FlexiMount.htmld

 

 

Is it ok to have the 2.4ghz rf venue antenna mounted with the dinkum a foot below the rf venue diversity antenna?

[JonG]

After starting this thread and reading the responses, I found a deck umbrella clamp that screws onto your cart and allows you to tighten in via screws a mast of your choosing. This was about $16 on amazon. Then I went with a $30 plastic 15' boom pole from Adorama, and the k-tek shark for the boom. Works great and looks good.

[Prahlad Strickland]

Seems like the 3/8th thread count on the manfrotto 099b is pretty low

you know if it'll hold a shark fine?

 

the rf venue has all 3 standard sizes including 3/8th,  

 

just not sure if it's worth saving a little change with this manfrotto over a cheap ktek boom with proper thread count

 

http://www.manfrotto.com/extension-for-light-stands-black

 

anyone use a manfrotto to mount?

[Matthias Richter]

I'm using a Manfrotto stand without the tripod base as an antenna mast on my cart. Works very well.

[Matthias Richter]

Uups. Noticed that I have posted this already in this thread ...

[Jan McL]

I've had two Manfrotto extensions for years. Work great.

[RadoStefanov]

I had manfroto extensions then I switched to a boom pole.