One of the products I got a chance to check out at the recent Warrior East expo was RolaTube’s 3.5meter Squad Antenna. It doesn’t require guy wires and can be erected by one person. Even better, this dipole antenna is integrated into the mast so there’s no building an expedient antenna amd tossing int over a tree branch; just unroll the mast and it forms a strong, self-supporting tube. Considering the current interest in jungle operations, this is worth taking a look at for VHF comms (30-300Mhz). I’d have killed for this when I was in.
This mast could also be used for other applications and in that case, a cap could be placed in the end in order to fortify the integrity of the tubular structure. The antenna weighs 3.1 lbs and is just 6″ X 6″ X 6″ in carrying configuration. Available in Black or MultiCam.
Tags: RolaTube
Very cool. I imagine it works similarly to one of the old kid’s snap-on bracelets?
Kind of like that.
Youtube video of Rolatube at NDIA SOFIC 2013
Rolatube Technology Extending Technology Rollout/Rollup Tactical Ladder and Tactical Antenna Mast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNiDkS6QyxQ
Oh I can see joes fucking around with it when they have time.. Yup something else to fuck with other people with, especially in their sleep..
To be honest, why weren’t there around when I was an RTO..
No kidding, I still have my roll of claymore wire that I used to use as a jungle antenna rig. If this works, it’s a godsend.
So, it would be very easy to create a 6″ “joiner” piece where you could take a 15′ tube joined with a 15′ tube and thus your antenna ends up being 30′ off the ground and quite lightweight and portable. The joiner section could be designed so that a bolt runs through both tubes and the joiner.
At that point, you’d want guy lines. However, you can fashion a loop at the top of the antenna and hang it off of something like a branch to get it higher up and increase your line of sight.
HI SSD
there is a hole at the top with a loop expressly for this purpose – you / the user would also need to cover off cable strain relief when strung up in a tree or suspended down the side of a building – but that would be easily achieved with the use of some para cord
i HAD IT 30 FT IN A TREE AT BENNING LAST WEEK – if you drop me an email i can send pictures wp@rolatube.com
I can’t find it for sale anywhere
The pricing is not published, but you can request a quote at: usasales@rolatube.com
Would have been a more convenient mast to jump, back when we used a Stiner Aid to assemble on a night drop zone.
Very nice. I would love to know the weight on this. Ounces me pounds and if this is truly ultralight, with the initiatives to lighten soldiers fighting load, I can see Uncle Sam buying these by the pallet.
Like it says right up there in the article, 3.1 lbs.
Where was this thing when I had to hump the radio all over god’s green earth