A mobile radiography apparatus with a portable transport frame has a sectioned vertical column mounted on the transport frame. The sectioned vertical column defines a vertical axis and has a vertically fixed base section and an upper section that is movable with respect to the base section along the vertical axis. Cable and pulley systems are coupled to the vertical column sections and/or the transport frame. A boom is coupled to the movable section for positioning an x-ray source attached to the boom.
