04/02/2026
Expounding on my last post about the "Radio on a stick" TTP, I'd like to go into cost effective mast alternatives for larger radios such as the SC4400 from
The goal is for anyone to be able to readily procure a mast system, with or without power management, without breaking the bank.
Starting with the mast, the best solution I've found so far is from . They make light-weight, carbon fiber masts for their cameras that include pretty much everything you need in a single package and costs around $500. Their 25 foot mast includes:
-Guy-line points with ratcheting lines
-Stakes for the base and lines
-Reusable sandbags
-Quick release tripod accessory mounting plate. (Parts and adapters are common and readily available to take advantage of this for a multitude of systems)
-A convenient carrying bag for everything
For power, sells the X90 Micro MPPT BB-2590 hats. These hats support 10-50 VIN from solar or other sources, and support 11-16V output at up to 5A. They can be run in parallel for both input and output to adjust for different loads and/or hot swapping of batteries.
For solar, I use the Bugout130 kit. This kit is light-weight, Barry Compliant, and packs down small.
For antennas, you can use either Omnis or a light-weight panel such as the ones from Electro-Metrics Antennas. These panels are some of the smallest 4x4 MIMO antennas that I've found that support dual bands.
All of these parts can get you a mast and/or power system for radios for anywhere between $500-$5k depending on the capabilities desired. This is well within government purchase card limits for one or multiple systems. Additionally, the equipment footprint is relatively small and light for the capability achieved, making it operationally relevant.
