A mast that stands fine on a calm day can bend at the top clamp in the first hard wind. Guy wires stop that by holding the upper mast from three sides. This guide covers how to guy an antenna mast: when guys are needed, the hardware in a guy kit, how to place the anchors, how to tension the guys, and how to keep every part of the job clear of power lines.
How do you guy an antenna mast?
Fit a guy ring on the mast, attach three guys spaced evenly around it, and run each to an anchor fixed into structure or solid ground at the distance the mast instructions give. Tension the guys evenly with turnbuckles until the mast is plumb, and keep the mast, antenna and guys well clear of power lines.
When an antenna mast needs guy wires
The mast or mount instructions are the first word. They state how far the mast may extend above its top support before it needs guys, and at what levels. Our comparison of a roof tripod vs antenna mast gives the common field rule; the instructions for your hardware override it.
Several conditions push a mast toward guys even when it is near that limit:
- Large or heavy antennas, or two antennas stacked on one mast, which catch more wind.
- A rotor, which adds weight and leverage at the top of the mast.
- Exposed sites on hilltops, open farmland or near water.
- A taller mast to clear trees or terrain; whether the extra height is worth it is covered in how high to mount a TV antenna.
What is in an antenna guy wire kit
An antenna guy wire kit usually bundles the parts below; buy them as a set where you can, so sizes match. The table compares what each part does and what to check.
| Part | What it does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Guy ring | Clamps to the mast and gives each guy its own attachment hole | Fits the mast diameter; sits at the level the instructions give |
| Guy wire | Carries the load from the ring to the anchor | Rated for outdoor use; long enough for the anchor distance with spare |
| Anchors or eye bolts | Fix each guy to the building or ground | Driven into framing or solid ground, never shingles, fascia or gutters |
| Turnbuckles | Let you adjust and set tension | Opened before installing so they have travel to tighten |
| Clamps and thimbles | Secure the wire ends and protect the loops | Correct size for the wire; enough clamps per end as the kit directs |
Guy wire anchor spacing and guy angle
Three guys spaced evenly around the mast, about 120 degrees apart, is the usual layout, because three pulls are the fewest that hold a mast from every direction. Some roof kits use four guys at 90 degrees where the roof shape allows it.
How far each anchor sits from the mast, and so the angle each guy makes, is a design figure from the mast or kit maker. We do not give a single number here because it depends on mast height, guy level and the load, and some local codes set their own guying rules. Two points hold for every layout:
- Equal distances. Place all anchors at the same distance from the mast base so the guys share the load evenly.
- Solid anchors. On a roof, the anchor goes into a rafter or framing and is sealed against leaks; on the ground, use anchors suited to the soil.
If the site needs more height than a roof can anchor, look at a tower instead; the trade offs are in guyed vs self-supporting tower.
How to guy an antenna mast, step by step
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s antenna accident safety release advises fastening a raised antenna by tying it to the house or with guy wires, never working alone, and letting the assembly fall if it starts to go. With that in mind:
- Survey the site for power lines and service drops, as in the clearance section below.
- Install the anchors first, equally spaced and in solid structure.
- Assemble on the ground: antenna, guy ring at the specified level, and the guys attached to the ring.
- Open the turnbuckles most of the way so they have travel left for tensioning.
- Raise the mast with a helper holding it upright while the guys are hooked loosely to their anchors.
- Plumb and tension as described in the next section, then tighten the mount clamps.
- Bond the mast before connecting the coax, following how to ground a TV antenna.
Setting turnbuckles and guy tension
The aim is a mast that stands plumb and stays put, not guys pulled as tight as they will go. Over tightening can bow the mast and load the anchors and roof beyond what they were meant to carry.
- Take up the slack on each turnbuckle a little at a time, working around the mast.
- Check plumb with a level on two faces of the mast at right angles to each other.
- Stop when the mast is plumb and each guy is snug with no visible sag; follow any tension guidance in the kit instructions.
- Lock the turnbuckles with the supplied locking nut or wire so vibration cannot unwind them.
Power line clearance for the mast and every guy
A guy wire conducts just like the mast, so treat the guys as part of the assembly when you measure. The CPSC release says to place the antenna at least one and one half times the combined height of the antenna and mast from any power line, farther if possible, and to consider all overhead lines dangerous. It also advises dry, non-conductive ropes to control the mast while raising it.
A worked example, assuming a 20 ft mast carrying an antenna that adds 4 ft: 20 + 4 = 24 ft, and 1.5 x 24 = 36 ft minimum to the nearest line. If the mast instructions give a larger distance, use the larger figure.
Federal rules require that warning on the product itself: under 16 CFR 1402.4, antenna supporting structures must carry the statement that installation near powerlines is dangerous, with instructions on site selection and ways to reduce powerline contact. Read those instructions before the mast goes up.
Inspecting a guyed mast after storms
Guys loosen as hardware settles and wind works the mast. Check the installation after the first few weeks, after severe weather and on every service call:
- Mast still plumb, with no bend at the top clamp or guy ring.
- Guys snug, turnbuckles locked, clamps tight and free of rust.
- Anchors firm, with roof sealant intact and no water marks below.
- Bonding conductor still attached at the mast and the grounding point.
If a mast keeps going out of plumb, find out why: a pulled anchor or a stretched guy needs repair, not just more tension.
Where to find masts and mounting hardware
The antenna mast category lists masts, and the roof tripod category and tower category list the supports for taller installs, all within the antenna, tower and satellite division.
For pricing and availability, ask your sales representative through the Bursma contact page or the Columbus, Ohio branch, or open a Bursma dealer account.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 10 ft antenna mast need guy wires?
It depends on how much of the mast rises above its top support, the antenna load and the site. The mast or mount instructions set the limit; guy at the levels they give.
How many guy wires does an antenna mast need?
Three per guy level, spaced evenly around the mast, is the usual layout. Taller masts may need more than one level, and some roof kits use four guys. Follow the instructions for your mast.
What angle should guy wires be?
Use the anchor distance and angle the mast or kit maker specifies, and check local codes, some of which set guying rules. Keep all anchors at the same distance so the guys share the load.
How tight should guy wires be?
Snug, even and without visible sag, with the mast plumb on two faces. Over tightening can bow the mast and overload the anchors.