[emeritus]

The 1938 edition of Odhams "The Practical Handyman" has a chapter that includes how to install various types of outdoor and indoor radio aerials. It recommends a wire of about 40' for long wave and medium wave reception, this being the sum of the vertical and horizontal lengths, with the horizontal part about 25' above the ground. For short wave a horizontal dipole arangement using two lengths of wire each 15' long and connected via a twisted pair to a transformer at the set end was recommended.

it says:

" Painted sectional masts, ready for assembly, are made in four sizes, namely 26, 30, 34 and 40 ft., and are supplied, complete with rings for anchoring the upper ends of the stay wires, a galvanised pulley, a halyard, a cleat and sufficient galvanised steel wire for staying purposes. A 26 ft. mast costs under £1."


Interestingly, it recommends not using water or gas pipes for the earth due to the jointing compound ( it calls it "paint" ) used ar the pipe connectors, but instead a dedicated earth spike. Even more relevant today, with the widespread use of plastic pipes for gas and water mains.