5/8" Stainless Steel All-thread Mast

The 5/8" stainless steel all-thread mast is the simplest of the monumentation supported by UNAVCO. The monument consists of one length of 5/8" stainless steel all-thread, which can be cut to size in the field. The mast is set directly into a hard substrate. The mast is installed as close to vertical as possible; a stainless steel cup with a threaded brass adapter is generally used for the antenna mount, as shown here. The cup does not allow for precise leveling but does allow for the antenna to be oriented to north. These monuments are used throughout the semi-permanent GNSS network in Bangladesh and in Calabria, Italy (both M. Steckler, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory).

GNSS site in the Bangladesh network.

Pros

• Inexpensive (e.g. ~$30 for the all-thread, $50 for the mount)

• Can be installed with a battery-powered drill

• Small footprint, low-profile

• Short installation time (<1 hr)

• Materials readily available; no custom machining necessary for the monument

• Can be installed on a rooftop or other stone or cement structure

Cons

• Can only be installed in solid material

Design and Construction

A battery-powered drill is all that is needed for installation of the mast.

Documents

None.

Installation Photos

Mladen Nedimovic of Dalhousie University and Michael Steckler of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory install a monument on the roof of a church in the Calabria region of Italy.