THE GREAT GALLERY

ROOM 47

THE GØELK AERIAL FARM

"To every thing there is a season"

We’ve all seen illustrations of climbing plants adopting aerials and masts etc. I thought you might like to see what has happened in my case.
The G5RV is kept away from ‘ground metal’ because the central mast is a 20ft. pole into a redundant 10ft. fibreglass wind-surfing mast. The top pulley is fixed to a short aluminium tube, making the height about 30ft.
The far pole is an old yacht mast with a section of plastic drain pipe stuck on the end and buried in the Cypress tree. The other end is fixed to the house roof.
I have another Cypress tree at the other corner of the garden that I intend to put into use either as a repositioned G5RV or as a loop aerial.

The centre pole is held up by a 16ft. three-legged mast support, which can be seen in the winter months but not in the summer.

You will note it has been adopted by a clematis – Montana Rubens. There is also another clematis – Nelly Moser, which flowers later but isn’t as vigorous. Its flowers dot about later in the summer.
The 20, 17, 15m loop is hoisted up the mast, when required after dropping the G5RV. Strings at the bottom corners help to change the direction of fire.
Even people who would object to the mast express admiration when the flowers are there. There was a time when the clematis ran along the guy rope from the other side of the garden (30ft.).
I suppose it helps that we have lived here for 50 years. That is longer than anyone else apart from two neighbours. I am also careful not to cause hassle at peak viewing times. It is just a matter of living amicably with one’s neighbours.

This is a wonderful hobby, which can be enjoyed into ripe old age. (Bill is 77 - Ed.)

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