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Ham radio as a side dish

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wayne burdick

Ham radio as a side dish

Administrator

Many of us combine our affinity for radio with other activities we’re equally passionate about — perhaps more. An obvious example (one that renders this post marginally non-OT) is hiking / camping; for some of us, it’s a natural environment for small radios and big ambitions.

What are your ham-activated avocations? Do they come with as-yet-unsolved problems in the field of radio ergonomics?

Where is the boundary between communications media and the things you most enjoy talking about?

Wayne
N6KR

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Chris Hallinan

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

I have recently discovered the thrill of "aeronautical mobile" on 2m FM
using a handheld. Line of sight has an entirely different meaning at 8000
feet in unobstructed air!

I would dearly love to figure out how to operate HF (20 meters) while
flying a small general aviation single-engine aircraft. Haven't figure
out a workable antenna solution that doesn't require airframe modification,
etc. I thought about a Zepp like the old days, but at 180+ mph that is
probably not workable.

73 de K1AY

On Sat, May 26, 2018 at 12:29 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Many of us combine our affinity for radio with other activities we’re
> equally passionate about — perhaps more. An obvious example (one that
> renders this post marginally non-OT) is hiking / camping; for some of us,
> it’s a natural environment for small radios and big ambitions.
>
> What are your ham-activated avocations? Do they come with as-yet-unsolved
> problems in the field of radio ergonomics?
>
> Where is the boundary between communications media and the things you most
> enjoy talking about?
>
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>
> ----
> http://www.elecraft.com
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

--
Life is like Linux - it never stands still.
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Dave Sublette-2

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

I can think of a couple of things where my ham radio experience blends with
my other interests. Radio Control Models: for many years I used the 53 MHz
band for my RC link. Now that the GHz equipment has come along, I use
that.

Music: I play trumpet in a couple of bands. My experience with Morse Code
has helped me (my opinion) be more precise with timing or rhythms. I also
believe, although I'm not sure studies have proven, that ability to learn
and use Morse Code is highly correlated with musical ability.

Flying: I hold Commercial, Multiiengine and Intrument ratings. When I was
taking lessons, flying cross country using VORs (before GPS), I would tune
to the next VOR, I.D.it by hearing the Morse identifier, and turn the
volume down. My instructor would then lecture me on the need for properly
I.D.ing the station before turning down the volume. I had a hard time
making him understand that those dits and dahs were telling me the same
thing the voice would have.

In the Navy, I was assigned to the deck force because I was waiting for an
opening to attend ET school. The Navy's policy at that time was that I
didn't know anything until I had been to their school. I copy CW at 25
wpm. While on watch, I read the light of the ship that was steaming with us
and realized that they had signaled for a U-turn in front of us. When the
message failed to come down from the signal bridge, I informed the Officer
of the Deck. Sure enough, they turned and we avoided colliding with them.
A few minutes later, he came over to me with a puzzled look and asked how I
knew they would be turning. I told him I read the light.

I learned Morse in the Boy Scouts, on my way to becoming an Eagle Scout. I
teach Radio Merit Badge to Scouts now. Although Morse requirements have
been eliminated from the requirements, I still hope that some young person
will catch the magic and join our ranks.

73,

Dave, K4TO

On Sat, May 26, 2018 at 8:24 AM Chris Hallinan <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I have recently discovered the thrill of "aeronautical mobile" on 2m FM
> using a handheld. Line of sight has an entirely different meaning at 8000
> feet in unobstructed air!
>
> I would dearly love to figure out how to operate HF (20 meters) while
> flying a small general aviation single-engine aircraft. Haven't figure
> out a workable antenna solution that doesn't require airframe modification,
> etc. I thought about a Zepp like the old days, but at 180+ mph that is
> probably not workable.
>
> 73 de K1AY
>
>
>
> On Sat, May 26, 2018 at 12:29 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > Many of us combine our affinity for radio with other activities we’re
> > equally passionate about — perhaps more. An obvious example (one that
> > renders this post marginally non-OT) is hiking / camping; for some of us,
> > it’s a natural environment for small radios and big ambitions.
> >
> > What are your ham-activated avocations? Do they come with as-yet-unsolved
> > problems in the field of radio ergonomics?
> >
> > Where is the boundary between communications media and the things you
> most
> > enjoy talking about?
> >
> > Wayne
> > N6KR
> >
> >
> >
> > ----
> > http://www.elecraft.com
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
>
>
>
> --
> Life is like Linux - it never stands still.
> ______________________________________________________________
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rich hurd WC3T

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by Chris Hallinan

Magnetic loop? Operating more than QRP might confuse avionics, however.
I can't see running a gallon and a half while in flight. LOL

On Sat, May 26, 2018 at 08:23 Chris Hallinan <[hidden email]> wrote:

--
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
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Phil Hystad-3

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

My wife is a bird photographer (hobby, not professional, although she has been published). But, going with her on these trips is not like a hike or walk in the park. She will stalk a given bird for an hour or so waiting for the perfect shot. Me, I would be standing there waiting.

So, more often these past couple of years I will park someplace convenient with my KX2 and Buddipole. A few times I have even carried along a folding "card" table and chair if some other type of sitting area is not available. This has actually become my favorite type of operating.

73, phil, K7PEH

> On May 25, 2018, at 9:29 PM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Many of us combine our affinity for radio with other activities we’re equally passionate about — perhaps more. An obvious example (one that renders this post marginally non-OT) is hiking / camping; for some of us, it’s a natural environment for small radios and big ambitions.
>
> What are your ham-activated avocations? Do they come with as-yet-unsolved problems in the field of radio ergonomics?
>
> Where is the boundary between communications media and the things you most enjoy talking about?
>
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>
> ----
> http://www.elecraft.com
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Stan Horzepa

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Writing...

Always wanted to be a writer. Started writing what today would be called
a "journal" back around 1960 when I was 9 years old, writing about
astronomical events and the space race. Got a Remco crystal radio kit
about that time, got hooked on radio, so I started writing about radio.

My first article was published in 73 magazine. Some 1,200 articles and a
half dozen books later, I am still writing about radio 50 years in!

Stan, WA1LOU

On 5/26/18 12:29 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Many of us combine our affinity for radio with other activities we’re equally passionate about — perhaps more. An obvious example (one that renders this post marginally non-OT) is hiking / camping; for some of us, it’s a natural environment for small radios and big ambitions.
>
> What are your ham-activated avocations? Do they come with as-yet-unsolved problems in the field of radio ergonomics?
>
> Where is the boundary between communications media and the things you most enjoy talking about?
>
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>
> ----
> http://www.elecraft.com
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

I want to impress upon you that science today, as in the days of Newton,
lies before us a great uncharted ocean, and we have not sailed very far
from the coast of ignorance. - Immanual Velikovsky

73

Bob, K4TAX

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Phil Hystad-3

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

???

> On May 26, 2018, at 8:12 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I want to impress upon you that science today, as in the days of Newton, lies before us a great uncharted ocean, and we have not sailed very far from the coast of ignorance. - Immanual Velikovsky
>
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Bjorn Pehrson

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Talking about oceans and sailing... I have a 28m2 IF-boat with an
isolated ~13m back stay (http://www.sa0bxi.se)

My wish-list includes a waterproof kx2 with accessoires like a cockpit
mount-bracket, a solar panel charger and an antenna cable kit to
connect to the backstay and including a non hull-intrusive counterpoise
arrangement

bjorn, sa0bxi

On 2018-05-26 17:12, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:

> I want to impress upon you that science today, as in the days of
> Newton, lies before us a great uncharted ocean, and we have not sailed
> very far from the coast of ignorance. - Immanual Velikovsky
>
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> .
>

wayne burdick

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

Administrator

Thanks, everyone, for the great stories and ideas on this thread (so far). Clearly I need to get out more :)

73,
Wayne
N6KR

> On May 26, 2018, at 9:01 AM, Bjorn Pehrson <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Talking about oceans and sailing... I have a 28m2 IF-boat with an isolated ~13m back stay (http://www.sa0bxi.se)
>
> My wish-list includes a waterproof kx2 with accessoires like a cockpit mount-bracket, a solar panel charger and an antenna cable kit to connect to the backstay and including a non hull-intrusive counterpoise arrangement
>
> bjorn, sa0bxi

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Martin Sole-3

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by Dave Sublette-2

I can really relate to these two.

As a kid I played drums. My father taught and played pretty much all his
life until his hearing gave out. Though my CW has never been more than
remedial mostly the sense of rhythm and timing is mostly excellent and I
attribute it to those early years. When I took the then GPO 12wpm UK
Morse test the coastguard guy did comment on my good fist.

On the navaids ID I have a good one. Just recently I commissioned 2
ILS's out in the Middle East, though primarily for the US Air Forces
use. I had a good raport with the tower guys and would often spend time
up in the tower. Having just programmed the ILS idents I asked a
controller to have one of the approaching aircraft take a listen and
report the code back to be sure it was keying okay. It seems this, to
me, simple request caught this particular KC135 crew off guard. "Wait
one", came back the response, a couple of minutes later, somewhat
confused sounding they came back with a "er, well, its kinda dee dee
doh, doh dee doh, dee dee". Took me a second or two to figure they had
actually got it right just with no spacing. I guess they don't teach
pilots code now either.

Though I've never worked on navaids in the US, only in Asia and EU, I've
never done one with a voice ident, only ever CW.

Martin, HS0ZED

On 26/05/2018 19:56, Dave Sublette wrote:

>
> Music: I play trumpet in a couple of bands. My experience with Morse Code
> has helped me (my opinion) be more precise with timing or rhythms. I also
> believe, although I'm not sure studies have proven, that ability to learn
> and use Morse Code is highly correlated with musical ability.
>
> Flying: I hold Commercial, Multiiengine and Intrument ratings. When I was
> taking lessons, flying cross country using VORs (before GPS), I would tune
> to the next VOR, I.D.it by hearing the Morse identifier, and turn the
> volume down. My instructor would then lecture me on the need for properly
> I.D.ing the station before turning down the volume. I had a hard time
> making him understand that those dits and dahs were telling me the same
> thing the voice would have.
>

Barry K3NDM

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Wayne,
Here on the east coast, we have boaters who run up or down the intracoastal waterway. The direction is dependant on season. Ham radio is used for two important purposes, the marine nets and non-business email. In the morning, the Waterway Net meets for traffic, position reports, and items of interest. The Maritime Mobile Net meets during the afternoon, east coast time, for assistance to voyaging boaters.

Email is passed and received through the Winlink network. With stations world wide, a boater can have access on some band almost anytime. And, all of this, doesn't even touch on the other ham activities. Bjorn points out that he uses his backstage, so do the majority of sailors. Having gear that tolerates a salty environment would be great..

73,
Barry
K3NDM

On May 26, 2018 12:10:35 PM EDT, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:

>Thanks, everyone, for the great stories and ideas on this thread (so
>far). Clearly I need to get out more :)
>
>73,
>Wayne
>N6KR
>
>
>> On May 26, 2018, at 9:01 AM, Bjorn Pehrson <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Talking about oceans and sailing... I have a 28m2 IF-boat with an
>isolated ~13m back stay (http://www.sa0bxi.se)
>>
>> My wish-list includes a waterproof kx2 with accessoires like a
>cockpit mount-bracket, a solar panel charger and an antenna cable kit
>to connect to the backstay and including a non hull-intrusive
>counterpoise arrangement
>>
>> bjorn, sa0bxi
>
>
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>Message delivered to [hidden email]

--
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wayne burdick

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

Administrator

In reply to this post by Martin Sole-3

Speaking of music: I earned a music minor in college, and CW helped quite a bit. The rhythm final was to sing or clap a chaotic collection of eight notes and dotted quarter notes -- basically dots and dashes -- so I did Morse a cappella and got an A :)

Wayne
N6KR

> On May 26, 2018, at 9:27 AM, Martin Sole <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I can really relate to these two.
>
> As a kid I played drums. My father taught and played pretty much all his life until his hearing gave out. Though my CW has never been more than remedial mostly the sense of rhythm and timing is mostly excellent and I attribute it to those early years. When I took the then GPO 12wpm UK Morse test the coastguard guy did comment on my good fist.
>
> On the navaids ID I have a good one. Just recently I commissioned 2 ILS's out in the Middle East, though primarily for the US Air Forces use. I had a good raport with the tower guys and would often spend time up in the tower. Having just programmed the ILS idents I asked a controller to have one of the approaching aircraft take a listen and report the code back to be sure it was keying okay. It seems this, to me, simple request caught this particular KC135 crew off guard. "Wait one", came back the response, a couple of minutes later, somewhat confused sounding they came back with a "er, well, its kinda dee dee doh, doh dee doh, dee dee". Took me a second or two to figure they had actually got it right just with no spacing. I guess they don't teach pilots code now either.
>
> Though I've never worked on navaids in the US, only in Asia and EU, I've never done one with a voice ident, only ever CW.
>
> Martin, HS0ZED
>
>
> On 26/05/2018 19:56, Dave Sublette wrote:
>>
>> Music: I play trumpet in a couple of bands. My experience with Morse Code
>> has helped me (my opinion) be more precise with timing or rhythms. I also
>> believe, although I'm not sure studies have proven, that ability to learn
>> and use Morse Code is highly correlated with musical ability.
>>
>> Flying: I hold Commercial, Multiiengine and Intrument ratings. When I was
>> taking lessons, flying cross country using VORs (before GPS), I would tune
>> to the next VOR, I.D.it by hearing the Morse identifier, and turn the
>> volume down. My instructor would then lecture me on the need for properly
>> I.D.ing the station before turning down the volume. I had a hard time
>> making him understand that those dits and dahs were telling me the same
>> thing the voice would have.
>>

Michael Eberle

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by Chris Hallinan

Drag a wire behind you like they tow banners. You could fly steep turns
and create a loop antenna. LOL

On 5/26/2018 08:00, rich hurd WC3T wrote:

> Magnetic loop? Operating more than QRP might confuse avionics, however.
> I can't see running a gallon and a half while in flight. LOL
>
> On Sat, May 26, 2018 at 08:23 Chris Hallinan <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I have recently discovered the thrill of "aeronautical mobile" on 2m FM
>> using a handheld. Line of sight has an entirely different meaning at 8000
>> feet in unobstructed air!
>>
>> I would dearly love to figure out how to operate HF (20 meters) while
>> flying a small general aviation single-engine aircraft. Haven't figure
>> out a workable antenna solution that doesn't require airframe modification,
>> etc. I thought about a Zepp like the old days, but at 180+ mph that is
>> probably not workable.
>>
>> 73 de K1AY
>>

Edward R Cole

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

For 35 years I raised and ran sled dogs here in AK. 1982-1988 I
volunteered as radio operator from remote checkpoints on the Iditarod
Sled Dog Race held each March from Anchorage to Nome (nearly 1200
miles thru the AK roadless wilderness). In the early years of the
race, ham radio provided communications for reporting progress of the
teams using 80/40m and for supporting logistics (every thing either
hauled by snowmachine or by light aircraft). A lot of fun living in
a wall-tent at -60F!

1989 I was hired as a marine radio operator in support of the Exxon
Oil Spill outside of Valdez, AK. Spent 13-months on that job.
My ham radio/2-way radio tech and experience as an emt got me that job.

I also have carried an HT while hiking/backpacking in the Sierra of
CA (1970's).

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
[hidden email]

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ANDY DURBIN

Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

"Drag a wire behind you like they tow banners."

If it were as simple as you suggest then I think a few of us would be doing it. Picking up banners with an aircraft in flight is a skill that most pilots don't have. It would be far better to use a retractable antenna. However, a legal installation of any sort of antenna extension/retraction mechanism on an aircraft with a standard airworthiness cert would be a significant challenge.

(No banner experience but I do have lots of time towing gliders and flying jumpers)

73,

Andy k3wyc
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Edward R Cole

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

For me music ability aided sending good CW, not the reverse. I
played a band instrument from 5th grade thru end of HS, but acquired
my Novice in my 8th grade (Nov. 1958, almost 60-years ago). I passed
the tech. 1959 (which used the General Class written exam) a year
before taking algebra.

I also sang bass in church choir so music probably helped
(something). Church Choir netted me a girl friend.

Now back to your previous program (ham radio?)

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
[hidden email]

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Michael Eberle

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

They do banner towing at the airport I was taking lessons at. What I had
in mind was more like dropping a wire antenna like they drop the banner
hook without the need to fly low and actually hook a banner. But I
wasn't really being serious either.

On 5/26/2018 13:55, ANDY DURBIN wrote:

> "Drag a wire behind you like they tow banners."
>
>
> If it were as simple as you suggest then I think a few of us would be doing it. Picking up banners with an aircraft in flight is a skill that most pilots don't have. It would be far better to use a retractable antenna. However, a legal installation of any sort of antenna extension/retraction mechanism on an aircraft with a standard airworthiness cert would be a significant challenge.
>
>
> (No banner experience but I do have lots of time towing gliders and flying jumpers)
>
>
> 73,
>
> Andy k3wyc
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Chuck Chandler

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by Martin Sole-3

Not me, a friend of mine...

Who is a pilot. Not just a pilot, but certified by the FAA to give check
rides for small airplanes. I don't know the specifics, but he does
aerobatics and all that.

Anyways, he's a contester and DX'er as well.

But, even though I'm sure he's a really good pilot, even he had to have a
check ride. He was up near New York City, having a check ride and
apparently there is a flight area along the Hudson River that is really,
really tricky. Has to be flown just about perfect, so that was his check
ride area. His instructor, who apparently was at an even higher level,
told him to request the clearance for that corridor and ATC gave it to him
immediately. His instructor wasn't expecting that and told him words to
the effect of "Be careful. You talk better than you fly."

Apparently ATC tends to be hesitant to clear private pilots into that
corridor, but years of DX and Contest operations gave him the, shall we
say, savoir faire to be cleared without hesitation. His request was
apparently crisp, clear, unequivocal and brief.

For my part, having been a cop since 1980 I've usually been the guy folks
go to for technical stuff. Beyond radios, even. Somehow I am expected to
know about cameras, computers, networking... and I've even picked up quite
a bit of it on the way.

73 de Chuck, WS1L

On Sat, May 26, 2018 at 11:27 AM, Martin Sole <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I can really relate to these two.
>
> As a kid I played drums. My father taught and played pretty much all his
> life until his hearing gave out. Though my CW has never been more than
> remedial mostly the sense of rhythm and timing is mostly excellent and I
> attribute it to those early years. When I took the then GPO 12wpm UK Morse
> test the coastguard guy did comment on my good fist.
>
> On the navaids ID I have a good one. Just recently I commissioned 2 ILS's
> out in the Middle East, though primarily for the US Air Forces use. I had a
> good raport with the tower guys and would often spend time up in the tower.
> Having just programmed the ILS idents I asked a controller to have one of
> the approaching aircraft take a listen and report the code back to be sure
> it was keying okay. It seems this, to me, simple request caught this
> particular KC135 crew off guard. "Wait one", came back the response, a
> couple of minutes later, somewhat confused sounding they came back with a
> "er, well, its kinda dee dee doh, doh dee doh, dee dee". Took me a second
> or two to figure they had actually got it right just with no spacing. I
> guess they don't teach pilots code now either.
>
> Though I've never worked on navaids in the US, only in Asia and EU, I've
> never done one with a voice ident, only ever CW.
>
> Martin, HS0ZED
>
>
> On 26/05/2018 19:56, Dave Sublette wrote:
>
>>
>> Music: I play trumpet in a couple of bands. My experience with Morse
>> Code
>> has helped me (my opinion) be more precise with timing or rhythms. I also
>> believe, although I'm not sure studies have proven, that ability to learn
>> and use Morse Code is highly correlated with musical ability.
>>
>> Flying: I hold Commercial, Multiiengine and Intrument ratings. When I was
>> taking lessons, flying cross country using VORs (before GPS), I would tune
>> to the next VOR, I.D.it by hearing the Morse identifier, and turn the
>> volume down. My instructor would then lecture me on the need for properly
>> I.D.ing the station before turning down the volume. I had a hard time
>> making him understand that those dits and dahs were telling me the same
>> thing the voice would have.
>>
>>
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--

===================
Chuck Chandler
[hidden email]
===================
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kstover

Re: Ham radio as a side dish

In reply to this post by ANDY DURBIN

And expensive.

R. Kevin Stover AC0H

ARRL, FISTS, SKCC, NAQCC.
One of the guys that made sneakernet irrelevant, in my little corner of the
world.
"If it doesn't work the first time you push the button it won't work the
20th.Just stop."

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
Behalf Of ANDY DURBIN
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2018 1:55 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

"Drag a wire behind you like they tow banners."

If it were as simple as you suggest then I think a few of us would be doing
it. Picking up banners with an aircraft in flight is a skill that most
pilots don't have. It would be far better to use a retractable antenna.
However, a legal installation of any sort of antenna extension/retraction
mechanism on an aircraft with a standard airworthiness cert would be a
significant challenge.

(No banner experience but I do have lots of time towing gliders and flying
jumpers)

73,

Andy k3wyc
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