SeanF, try a drilled hole and a simple nail or pin to keep the lower end of your awning supports in their pipe supports.
Another idea I had just now, as I've been doing fence and gate repairs:
go to a place that sells fence and gate stuff. Then look for the 90-degree gate corners, and use the 1-3/8 inch pipe that fits it, to make up awning frames. This stuff is heavier than conduit/EMT. However, it may not have the adaptability of the EMT, with all it's fittings.....
Also, you can get top-rail-ends for fencing (terminates the top rail of a chanlink fence at the end posts), and use the same 1-3/8 fence pipe...this allows an eylet end on a pipe, and lets you pivot on another fitting. Lets you keep the awning permanently attached, it's already galvanized, etc.
Just put extra grommets on any awning material, and thread the awning on with loops of rope going through the grommets....jeez, I really gotta figure out how to use a camera and computer so I can post photos of what I'm talking about!