Pneumatically telescoping mast with dual mode remote control

An adjustable telescopic mast arrangement for supporting and controlling an associated mast accessory, the arrangement comprising:

• a mast base including a mast assembly having a plurality of telescopic mast sections, the mast assembly being pivotally attached to the base and supporting the associated mast accessory, the mast assembly including a stowed position and an extended position;
• a base controller operatively connected to the mast base for raising and lowering the mast assembly;
• a mast accessory controller operatively connected to the associated mast accessory for controlling at least one function of the associated mast accessory;
• and
• a dual mode handheld remote control for controlling the mast base and the mast accessory, the remote control receiving an associated command from an associated operator and transmitting the associated command to one of the base controller or the mast accessory controller in either of a wired communication mode or a wireless communication mode.

A method for controlling an adjustable telescopic mast arrangement using a dual mode handheld remote control, the arrangement capable of supporting and controlling an associated mast accessory, the method comprising:

• powering and initiating a mast base, a mast base controller, and a mast accessory controller;
• providing the dual mode handheld remote control having a controller, the controller including a wired communication mode and a wireless communication mode;
• connecting the controller of the remote control to the base controller such that the controller of the remote control is in communication with the mast base controller in the wired mode and selectively operating at least one function of the mast arrangement via the remote control while in the wired communication mode;
• negotiating at least one wireless communication parameter while in the wired communication mode for establishing a future wireless communication connection between the remote control and the base controller;
• disconnecting the controller of the remote control from the base controller;
• switching the controller of the remote control from the wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode;
• and
• establishing wireless communication between the remote control and the base controller using the previously negotiated at least one wireless communication parameter and selectively operating at least one function of the mast arrangement via the remote control while in the wireless communication mode.