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A transportable directional antenna system includes an antenna pedestal, a plurality of outriggers, and an earth anchor. The earth anchor can be coupled to a horizontally centered point on the pedestal. Tension can be applied between the earth anchor and the pedestal to substantially preload the out

A transportable directional antenna system includes an antenna pedestal, a plurality of outriggers, and an earth anchor. The earth anchor can be coupled to a horizontally centered point on the pedestal. Tension can be applied between the earth anchor and the pedestal to substantially preload the outriggers and the surface on which they bear to provide a highly stable antenna.

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1. A method of deploying a transportable, steerable, directional antenna assembly, comprising: installing an earth anchor into a support surface;positioning the directional antenna assembly over the earth anchor;deploying a plurality of outriggers into a deployed position in which a first end of eac

1. A method of deploying a transportable, steerable, directional antenna assembly, comprising: installing an earth anchor into a support surface;positioning the directional antenna assembly over the earth anchor;deploying a plurality of outriggers into a deployed position in which a first end of each of the outriggers is coupled to the directional antenna assembly and a second end of each of the outriggers bears on the support surface;coupling the anchor to the directional antenna assembly at a coupling point vertically aligned with a point substantially centered among all of the plurality of outriggers in the deployed position; andapplying tension between the anchor and the coupling point to preload the outriggers and preload the supporting surface. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying tension further comprises applying tension sufficient to preload each of the outriggers with a preload force substantially greater than a total weight of the directional antenna assembly. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the preload force is at least two times the total weight of the directional assembly. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the preload force is at least three times the total weight of the directional assembly. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying tension further comprises applying sufficient tension so that a substantially equal preload force is applied to each outrigger. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the deploying the plurality of outriggers comprises coupling the first end of the outriggers to a pedestal portion of the directional assembly. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising leveling the pedestal portion. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the directional antenna assembly comprises a steerable reflector at least 5 meters in diameter coupled to a pedestal portion, and wherein applying tension comprises applying sufficient preload so that the pedestal portion maintains a constant spatial orientation within an accuracy of 0.2 degrees over a full range of motion of the steerable reflector. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein applying tension further comprises applying sufficient preload so that the pedestal portion maintains a constant spatial orientation with an accuracy of at least 0.2 degrees in winds up to 60 miles per hour. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the support surface comprises clay, sand, gravel, and combinations thereof. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the point with which the coupling point on the directional antenna assembly is vertically aligned is substantially centered horizontally between the first ends of all of the outriggers in the deployed position. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the installing an earth anchor comprises: drilling a hole into the support surface, and installing the earth anchor into the hole; andwherein the positioning the directional antenna assembly over the earth anchor comprises:moving a carrier into position over the hole, wherein the directional antenna assembly is carried by the carrier. 13. A transportable directional antenna system, comprising: a carrier;an antenna pedestal disposed on the carrier, the antenna pedestal being alternatively fixed to the carrier in a transportation configuration and decoupled from the carrier in a deployed configuration;a steerable antenna assembly moveably coupled to the antenna pedestal;a plurality of outriggers each comprising a first end and a second end, the outriggers being positionable into a transportation position, and being positionable into a deployed position wherein the first ends are coupled to the antenna pedestal and the second ends bear against a ground surface;an earth anchor; anda tensioning device attachable to the earth anchor and to a horizontally centered point on the pedestal. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the horizontally centered point is vertically aligned with a point substantially centered between the first ends of the outriggers. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the tension device comprises a connecting member and a tightener. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the tension device further comprises a tension measurement gauge. 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the system further comprises a load measurement gauge coupled to at least one of the plurality of outriggers to measure load within the outrigger. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the tensioning device is configured to apply a tension force substantially greater than a total weight of the transportable directional antenna system. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the tension force is at least three times a total weight of the transportable directional antenna system. 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the antenna pedestal is bolted to the carrier when in the transportation configuration. 21. The system of claim 13, wherein the antenna pedestal is suspended above a portion of carrier when in the deployed configuration. 22. The system of claim 13, further comprises a plurality of leveling jacks coupled to the antenna pedestal. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the leveling jacks bear on the carrier. 24. The system of claim 22, wherein the leveling jacks bear on the ground surface. 25. The system of claim 13, wherein the steerable antenna assembly comprises a reflector at least 5 meters in diameter. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the tensioning device tension is capable of applying sufficient tension force so that the pedestal portion maintains a spatial orientation with an accuracy of at least 0.05 degrees over a full range of motion of the reflector. 27. The system of claim 13, wherein the outriggers each comprise a compression member configured to be coupled to the antenna pedestal at an upper portion of the antenna pedestal and a tension member configured to be coupled to the antenna pedestal at a lower portion of the antenna pedestal. 28. The system of claim 13, wherein the outriggers each comprise a flared portion at the second end. 29. The system of claim 13, further comprising a pinch shield cover a gap between the antenna pedestal and the carrier when the antenna pedestal is in the deployed position. 30. The system of claim 13, further comprising electrical connections connected between the antenna pedestal and the carrier, wherein the electrical connections remain connected when transitioning between the transportation configuration and the deployed configuration. 31. The system of claim 13, further comprising at least four outriggers. 32. A highly stable transportable antenna mount system comprising: an antenna pedestal;a plurality of outriggers each comprising a first end and a second end, the outriggers being moveable into a transportation position and being moveable into a deployed position wherein the first ends are coupled to the pedestal and the second ends are positioned against a ground surface;an earth anchor; anda tensioning device attachable to the earth anchor and to a coupling point on the pedestal vertically aligned with a point substantially centered among the first ends of all of the outriggers in the deployed position. 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the tension device is configured to apply a tension force substantially greater than at least three times the total weight of the system. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the tension force is at least five times the weight of the system. 35. The system of claim 33, wherein said antenna pedestal is attachable to and detachable from a carrier for transporting the antenna pedestal. 36. The system of claim 33, wherein the point with which the coupling point on the pedestal is vertically aligned is substantially centered horizontally between the first ends of all of the outriggers in the deployed position. 37. A method of deploying a transportable, steerable, directional antenna assembly, comprising: installing an earth anchor into a support surface;positioning the directional antenna assembly over the earth anchor;deploying a plurality of outriggers so that a first end of the outriggers is coupled to the directional antenna assembly and a second end of the outriggers bears on the support surface;coupling the anchor to the directional antenna assembly at a coupling point vertically aligned with a point substantially centered between the plurality of outriggers; andapplying tension between the anchor and the coupling point to preload the outriggers and preload the supporting surface,wherein the installing an earth anchor comprises: drilling a hole into the support surface, andinstalling the earth anchor into the hole; andwherein the positioning the directional antenna assembly over the earth anchor comprises:moving a carrier into position over the hole, wherein the directional antenna assembly is carried by the carrier. 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising mechanically isolating the directional antenna assembly from the carrier.