Mechanical safety comes before SWR:
The CHA CFM-16 creates useful temporary height without turning a portable station into a tower project. It extends to 16 ft 5 in, collapses to 17 in, weighs 18.9 oz, and is designed to support a documented wire-antenna layout from a compact field kit.
Stop-work conditions
- Never deploy near power lines or in an uncontrolled fall zone.
- Lower the mast if wind, loading, slipping sections, or a moving mount makes the system unstable.
- Do not exceed the 1 lb published load or add side loads the guide does not authorize.
- Keep people, pets, vehicles, and public paths outside the wire, line, and mast footprint.
Control wind, leverage, and movement
- Use the 3/8-24 base with a sound documented mount such as the CHA SPIKE MOUNT or CHA UCM.
- Keep the supported antenna at or below the published 1 lb mast load and account for wind and leverage.
- Use the tip ring for the wire attachment shown in the antenna guide; it is not a universal top adapter.
Recover without creating the next failure
- Lower from the bottom section upward.
- Wipe away dirt and moisture before collapsing and storing.
- Inspect the 3/8-24 stud, tip ring, section surfaces, and collars after every field session.
- Use only the maintenance products and methods named in the current guide.
Guying can stabilize a documented installation, but it does not increase the published load or make an unapproved support chain safe.
Use the current CHA CFM-16 instructions.
