David I used to do exactly what you asked. I joined a 6m aluminium scaffold pole to an 18m Spiderpole using one of the couplers sold by Barenco https://www.barenco.co.uk/products/brackets-clamps/pole-mounting?v=3610
I raised it exactly as you suggest, with a falling derrick. It took less than a minute to raise/lower it and tie off the guys in the direction of the falling derrick. I suggest that you guy the Spiderpole not far above the coupler. That reduces the stress on the fibreglass in the coupler when it's windy, which is the weak point in that arrangement. I was also careful not to over tighten the bolts holding the Spiderpole in the coupler. It worked well until I moved to the new QTH (a farm) and erected a few towers/masts!! 73, Ian G4iiY ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Further to that scheme, is there a sound way to join a Spider pole to a scaffold pole? The cost change from 18m Spider to the next sizes up is quite a jump, but I've often thought an alloy scaffold pole at the base would be worth the effort if I had a decent way to join them. I can raise the 18m Spider pole using a falling derrick on my own and a rigid extension underneath looks doable with help. David G3UNA/G6CP _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
