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Chameleon Knowledge Base · The Complete Online HF Antenna Handbook

CHA PORTA-MAST Wind, Guying, and Mechanical Safety

CHA PORTA-MAST turns a home, RV, or vehicle site into a repeatable antenna position without a permanent tower. The 15, 20, and 25 ft aluminum masts telescope down below eight feet and accept documented ground-sleeve, wall, deck, wheel, or hitch installations.

Safety CHA PORTA-MAST Reviewed 2026-07-14
Mechanical safety comes before SWR:

CHA PORTA-MAST turns a home, RV, or vehicle site into a repeatable antenna position without a permanent tower. The 15, 20, and 25 ft aluminum masts telescope down below eight feet and accept documented ground-sleeve, wall, deck, wheel, or hitch installations.

Stop-work conditions

  • Never raise or lower the mast near power lines or without control of the fall zone.
  • Do not install during unsafe wind; get another person when the weight or site demands it.
  • Do not let a telescoping section drop free.
  • Treat temporary vehicle mounts and semi-permanent structure mounts as different installation paths.

Control wind, leverage, and movement

  • Use 20 or 25 ft when the 3 in base and larger published wind-area capacity are required.
  • Choose Wheel or Hitch Mount for temporary vehicle-supported deployment; choose Ground Sleeve, Top Mount, or Side Mount for the documented semi-permanent paths.
  • Add the Mast Adapter only for antennas or rotators that require its 3/8-24 socket or 1 in by 6 in shaft.

Recover without creating the next failure

  • Lower from the lowest extended section upward with two-handed control.
  • Inspect interlocks, tubing, swivel ring, cap, mount, and fasteners.
  • Keep the top capped against water intrusion.
  • Do not use tubing deformed by direct bracket clamps or impact.

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 PORTA-MAST instructions.

Open Porta_Mast_User_Guide_221115.pdf · Open the product page

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