Hello there, fellow radio enthusiasts! I’ve been having a blast with the MFJ-1908H Fiberglass Mast and I’m excited to share my experience with you. This mast is a real game-changer, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
When the mast arrived in a long box with all the poles bare and an additional box with the collars that clamp it down in it. At first glance the length takes you by surprise.
Below see my friend Emil ZS1XB posing as a comparison next to the newly arrived box:
Built to Last
First off, let’s talk about the build quality. This mast is made of .125″ (3.175mm) thick wall fiberglass tubing. It’s incredibly sturdy and can withstand various weather conditions. I’ve had it up in rain, wind, and sunshine, and it’s held up like a champ every time.
Size and Weight
The mast extends to a whopping 43 feet (about 13.1 meters) when fully deployed. That’s a lot of height and suitable for all kinds of antennas. But don’t worry about storage or transportation. It collapses down to a compact 8 feet (about 2.4 meters) when not in use.
Despite its size and strength, it’s surprisingly lightweight, weighing in at just 16 lbs. (about 7.3 kg). I’ve had no trouble handling it on my own.
User Reviews
I’ve seen some other users sharing their experiences online, and it seems I’m not the only one who’s impressed. A user on eHam.net mentioned how easy it was to assemble, even though it arrived completely disassembled. They also noted that it held up well against wind and weather conditions, but guying is essential for such a sturdy mast.
Assembly Instructions
Assembling the MFJ-1908H Fiberglass Mast was a breeze. Here’s how I did it:
- I marked 12 inches (about 30.5 cm) from the bottom of each pipe. This mark serves as a guide to prevent me from pulling the mast apart when deploying with my antenna mounted on top.
- Before I attached every locking collar piece to each connecting pipe and tightened them down, I smeared a thin layer of two-part epoxy just on the end. Then I left it for a few hours for the epoxy to kick off and properly set.
- It was a simple exercise to fit the various poles into each other and finally pull the poles up into its fully extended position. If you use all of the parts, the mast will extend to about 48 feet (about 14.6 meters). Some people will choose to leave the top section off to avoid unnecessary stress on the mast, but I saw no need for that, the top pole is plenty strong and rigid.
- And just like that, the mast was ready to support my antenna, even a light yagi will be suitable. I used a 6m Moxon and it was a very comfortable fit, and made quite a few QSO’s. It is quite a sight to see that fully extended pole, guyed and standing ready for service. I am waiting for the next VHF/UHF contest to try out my dualband Yagi.
Just a heads up, though, the mast is not recommended for use with rotators under normal operating situations.
Use Cases
The MFJ-1908H Fiberglass Mast has been a versatile addition to my setup. Here’s how I and others have been using it:
- Permanent Installations: The mast’s strength and durability make it ideal for permanent installations. It’s been great for supporting a variety of antennas, including small Yagi’s, verticals, loops, full-size dipoles, and G5RVs.
- Portable Operations: The mast’s lightweight and collapsible design make it perfect for portable operations. It’s been a lifesaver for field days, state QSO parties, and other portable operations. Just be aware that this mast, even collapsed, will take up a considerable space in your car.
- Stealth Antennas: The mast has also been useful for stealth antennas when daily concealment is needed. Its fiberglass material is non-conductive, not very visible and doesn’t interfere with the antenna’s operation.
- Emergency Communications: In emergency situations where quick setup and takedown are necessary, the MFJ-1908H mast has been an excellent choice. Its quick assembly and disassembly make it ideal for emergency communication setups.
In my case, I have used and are planning to use this mast for Inverted V 10-80M like the MFJ-1982MP, END FED, 1/2 WAVE, 80-10M, or MFJ-1984HP, END FED, 1/2 WAVE, 40-10M or my personal favorite: MFJ-2012, POWER-LITE OCFD, 40/20/10/6M, 1.5kW. I can think of many more great applications for use with a whole range of MFJ antennas. Can you imagine a MFJ-2104H,HF OCTOPUS ANT, WITH 75/40/20/15 600W HAMSTICKS, at that height?
In conclusion, the MFJ-1908H Fiberglass Mast has been a fantastic addition to my radio setup. Its ease of assembly, durability, and versatility have made it a joy to use. If you’re in need of a reliable mast for your antennas, I highly recommend giving the MFJ-1908H Fiberglass Mast a try.
Below you will see MFJ setting up the pole at Field Day 2020 in Mississippi. The MFJ-1914 Ground Mast Holder in action at Field Day 2020 in Mississippi. The MFJ-1914 is holding the MFJ-1908HD telescopic mast which is holding an AR-500 hygain rotator (not advised for you and me) with a 6-Meter 5-element Loop Fed Array from Cushcraft and a Dual Band 2-Meter, 440 MHz hygain DB-2345.
This was a wonderful experience to examine the fibreglass mast. I was astounded by the total height and strong feeling in my hands. The clip meganism work perfect. I could easily transport the “stick” with me in my RAV vehicle. This is going to be a winner for camping, outdoor activities and field station. Go ahead and find you one. You won’t be disappointed.