I've found a simple sling shot and a one to two ounce
fishing weight and monofilament fishing line to be the easiest way for me to get a line high into a tree. I know some folks have had success using a casting fishing pole. You have to do some "jiggling" and have some patience to feed the weight down. Slow and easy is the way to go. Somewhere I've seen a design for a compressed air tennis ball line throwing "gun", which looks like it could be fun. cheers, Julius n2wn _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Julius Fazekas
N2WN Tennessee Contest Group http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html Tennessee QSO Party http://www.tnqp.org/ Elecraft K2 #4455 Elecraft K3/100 #366 Elecraft K3/100 |
In message <[hidden email]>, J F
<[hidden email]> writes snip >Somewhere I've seen a design for a compressed air >tennis ball line throwing "gun", which looks like it >could be fun. > >cheers, >Julius >n2wn > Although I haven't tried it, one of the larger variety of 'spud guns' may be useful for this. I have one which fires a spud section around 200 yards when powered by 'high octane' hair spray :-) The problem would appear to be how to attach the line to the spud. Perhaps a light basket shaped mesh material loosely arranged over the muzzle of the gun with a light line attached. I have just done a swift 'google' , and plans for the combustion and compressed air versions can be found here http://tinyurl.com/44rwh and at several other sites. Trev G3ZYY -- Trevor Day SIP: [hidden email] _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
To Julius and Trevor,
Although I am not recommending it, on several field days some of us used a "mortar" made by by welding a base on a 3" pipe with a small hole in the rear which was filled up with acetylene and oxygen from an oxy-acetylene torch. The projectile was a regulation baseball with an eye screw screwed in, attached to a few hundred feet of thin nylon line. When loaded, the oxy-acetylene mixture was ignited by the lighted torch. We were looking for height not distance, and managed to top some 100' trees. Can you envision an extended double zepp on 40 at 80'? Chas, W1CG At 08:11 AM 9/10/2004, Trevor Day wrote: >In message <[hidden email]>, J F ><[hidden email]> writes > >snip >>Somewhere I've seen a design for a compressed air >>tennis ball line throwing "gun", which looks like it >>could be fun. >> >>cheers, >>Julius >>n2wn >Although I haven't tried it, one of the larger variety of 'spud guns' may >be useful for this. I have one which fires a spud section around 200 >yards when powered by 'high octane' hair spray :-) > >The problem would appear to be how to attach the line to the spud. Perhaps >a light basket shaped mesh material loosely arranged over the muzzle of >the gun with a light line attached. > >I have just done a swift 'google' , and plans for the combustion and >compressed air versions can be found here http://tinyurl.com/44rwh and at >several other sites. > >Trev G3ZYY >-- >Trevor Day >SIP: [hidden email] _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Well, I think you folks are making it tooo difficult.. 8-)
For years, I have used a light bow (30-40 lb pull) with practice arrows to shoot lines over the tall Georgia pine trees that I use for antenna supports. It is simple and effective. I can control the path of the arrow and the amount of power needed, according to the situation. I tape a couple of nails to the arrowhead, to add weight and make the tip blunt. I use 30-lb test monofilament line tied and taped just forward of the fletch (I think that is what you call the feathers part!). I lay out the line in a s-pattern, estimating the amount of line required (twice the height of the tree). I plan my shot, at a high angle. My plan is to just clear the top of the tree and let the weight of the arrow pull the line down. Of course, I avoid trajectories that include houses, people, pets, etc.. After the 30-lb line is across the tree, I attach some 50-lb line and pull that back across the tree. If my antenna halyard is heavy, I may use another intermediate size (say 1/8" nylon line) before I attach the halyard and pull that across the tree. I usually tape the line junctions with duct tape to help avoid snags. If I do have a snag, I can usually work it out by pulling the line back, a bit, and then trying it again, with a bit more force. I have tried slingshots, fishing rods/reels, tying the line to a wrench and slinging it across (lost a window trying that one!) and climbing the tree. The bow/arrow works best for me! All of the devices, previously described, will work. But, the operator needs to be comfortable with the selected device. A little practice before you try the "big" shot is always a good idea. Have a happy antenna-raising weekend! I am headed to a little swapfest up around Dalton, GA, to see if I can find some new stuff! 73, Larry KQ4BY ----------------------------------------- Larry Keith 231 Shenandoah Trail Warner Robins, GA 31088-6289 [hidden email] 478-329-0030 -------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Charles Greene
On Fri, 10 Sep 2004, Charles Greene wrote:
> oxy-acetylene mixture was ignited by the lighted torch. We were looking for > height not distance, and managed to top some 100' trees. Can you envision an > extended double zepp on 40 at 80'? I can tell ya that way back when, I could climb big trees with no problem...and even a plain old dipole up 120 feet gavve me a certain "presence" on 80 cw and 75 phone. Now, with no trees around, and having gotten a bit unsteady, I'm thrilled to make any kinda contact with an end fed wire 15 feet off the ground(g). Thom http://www.baltimorehon.com/ Home of the Baltimore Lexicon http://www.tlchost.net/ Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Julius Fazekas n2wn
FWIW, There are good instructions for a compressed air antenna launcher at
http://www.qsl.net/k5lxp/projects/Launcher/Launcher.html I've built one and had a lot of success with it. It can put a line over big trees (100'+ sugar pines and redwoods) quite easily. It was also fun a Field Day on a 500 acre farm with a bag of peaches I had to thin from my trees. You'd be amazed how high and far they go. If they are too ripe, however, they tend to splatter. Kids also liked it when we launched about a quart of water, which makes a nice spray for hot summer days. - Dave KQ6RL -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of J F Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 4:46 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] Line into trees <snip> Somewhere I've seen a design for a compressed air tennis ball line throwing "gun", which looks like it could be fun. <snip> _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Thom LaCosta
A little less spectacular than cannons but reasonably effective in the right
sort of trees are small helium-filled balloons. It takes two people with some open space around the tree. The balloon(s) must be capable of lifting the initial line, but that need only be string or heavy thread. Two lines are tied to the balloon(s). When there's no wind (dawn, usually) one person lets the balloon(s) float up on one side of the tree holding one line, then the other person takes the second line and walks it around the tree until the balloon(s) are suspended above the tree. Then one person pulls the balloon(s) down while the other person feeds out line until the line is resting on the desired upper branch and the balloon is in the hands of person pulling down on the line. Now it's a straightforward process of attaching heavier strings/lines and pulling them through until you have the desired weight line to attach the antenna It seems to work well with Oaks and other types of trees that have large enough branches to support an antenna exposed where a line thrown over the tree can reach them, or for less permanent installations in the upper branches conifers. After all, except for needing two people and a wind-free day to install the line, it's not a really difficult or expensive way to get a line up about as high as you want and you end up with perfectly good balloon(s) when you're done. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Trevor Day
I've had my best results with a 1 oz teardrop weight {painted dayglo orange!}
and a common spinning rod with 6lb monofilament line! Usually I can cast it over the limb of my choice in 2-3 tries. Regularly get it over 50' plus trees this way. 73, Sandy W5TVW ----- Original Message ----- From: "Trevor Day" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 7:11 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Line into trees | In message <[hidden email]>, J F | <[hidden email]> writes | | snip | >Somewhere I've seen a design for a compressed air | >tennis ball line throwing "gun", which looks like it | >could be fun. | > | >cheers, | >Julius | >n2wn | > | Although I haven't tried it, one of the larger variety of 'spud guns' | may be useful for this. I have one which fires a spud section around | 200 yards when powered by 'high octane' hair spray :-) | | The problem would appear to be how to attach the line to the spud. | Perhaps a light basket shaped mesh material loosely arranged over the | muzzle of the gun with a light line attached. | | I have just done a swift 'google' , and plans for the combustion and | compressed air versions can be found here http://tinyurl.com/44rwh and | at several other sites. | | Trev G3ZYY | -- | Trevor Day | SIP: [hidden email] | | _______________________________________________ | Elecraft mailing list | Post to: [hidden email] | You must be a subscriber to post to the list. | Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft | Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm | Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com | | _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Julius Fazekas n2wn
For what its worth. Over here in the motherland they sell plastic foam rockets
about a foot long, 2 in a pack, together with a catapult for about $10 equivalent. Jan, Alan and I had a fun couple of hours shooting the rocket, with fishing line attached, over the oak tree in my front garden to the evident amusement of my neighbors and passers by. Once we had the line over a bough at a decent height we used the fishing line to haul some string to haul some rope to haul the end of my trapped dipole over the tree. The other cool thing about the rockets is that they make a howling whistle as they descend which woke the local mutts up....They sell the rockets in Kellers - a toy shop in the fine City of Norwich - somewhat far from you over in the colonies. I'll try and post the brand etc..when I re discover the safe place I put them when we were done shooting. Best regards -- Stephen Farthing G0XAR PS Is anyone going to Pacificon next month?. Jan, Alan and I shall be there _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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We can get them in California too, 3/$10, with three sizes, no howlers.
I also got a single one for $4.95 in a cardboard and blister pack, as it travels better. I use them, but consider them consumables... On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 9:39am, Stephen wrote: > For what its worth. Over here in the motherland they sell plastic foam > rockets > about a foot long, 2 in a pack, together with a catapult for about $10 > equivalent. 73, WA5ZNU Leigh _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Larry Keith
From: "Larry Keith" <[hidden email]> < For years, I have used a light bow (30-40 lb pull) with <practice arrows to <shoot lines over the tall Georgia pine trees that I use for <antenna <supports. I remember in my archery days, several decades back, making and using "floo floo" arrows which are helically fletched and untrimmed. When they reach the top of their trajectory they descend straight down (good idea to keep your eye on it). Google will tell you all about floo floos. Bob Baxter AA7EQ Bisbee, Az. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Sandy W5TVW
Absolutely. I have used bows/arrows, slings, etc, but a 9 ft fishing
pole, 10lb test, and a golf ball with a screw eye attached had allowed me to place lines up to 60 feet routinely on backpacking QRP trips. Plus the pole later froms part of a delta loop. bb n6iz Sandy W5TVW wrote: >I've had my best results with a 1 oz teardrop weight {painted dayglo orange!} >and a common spinning rod with 6lb monofilament line! Usually I can >cast it over the limb of my choice in 2-3 tries. Regularly get it over 50' plus >trees this way. >73, >Sandy W5TVW >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Trevor Day" <[hidden email]> >To: <[hidden email]> >Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 7:11 AM >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Line into trees > > >| In message <[hidden email]>, J F >| <[hidden email]> writes >| >| snip >| >Somewhere I've seen a design for a compressed air >| >tennis ball line throwing "gun", which looks like it >| >could be fun. >| > >| >cheers, >| >Julius >| >n2wn >| > >| Although I haven't tried it, one of the larger variety of 'spud guns' >| may be useful for this. I have one which fires a spud section around >| 200 yards when powered by 'high octane' hair spray :-) >| >| The problem would appear to be how to attach the line to the spud. >| Perhaps a light basket shaped mesh material loosely arranged over the >| muzzle of the gun with a light line attached. >| >| I have just done a swift 'google' , and plans for the combustion and >| compressed air versions can be found here http://tinyurl.com/44rwh and >| at several other sites. >| >| Trev G3ZYY >| -- >| Trevor Day >| SIP: [hidden email] >| >| _______________________________________________ >| Elecraft mailing list >| Post to: [hidden email] >| You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >| Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >| Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >| Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com >| >| > >_______________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: [hidden email] >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Five different designs for Compressed Air Tennis Ball Antenna Launchers can
be found at: http://www.qsl.net/wb6zqz/antlaunching.html Four of these designs are under 19" in length. Pneumatics are more reliable and more controllable than combustion and are more suitable for antenna work. Tennis Ball launchers get right to 100-150' of height and can go above 200' if necessary. They are a lot of fun as well as very effective. We will be doing a session at Pacificon this year on these launchers. If you use archery equipment we have found that heavier arrows work better than flu-flu's. Solid fiberglass fishing arrows work fairly well. Take the sharp point out or replace the tip with a blunt. Heavier arrows travel slower and pull line better and come down better, as well as not going as far if they get loose. Be safe, be careful, don't use bow&arrows or slingshots in populated areas - know your landing zone! -- Alan WB6ZQZ At 09:56 PM 9/10/2004, you wrote: >Absolutely. I have used bows/arrows, slings, etc, but a 9 ft fishing >pole, 10lb test, and a golf ball with a screw eye attached had allowed me >to place lines up to 60 feet routinely on backpacking QRP trips. Plus the >pole later froms part of a delta loop. > >bb n6iz > >Sandy W5TVW wrote: > >>I've had my best results with a 1 oz teardrop weight {painted dayglo orange!} >>and a common spinning rod with 6lb monofilament line! Usually I can >>cast it over the limb of my choice in 2-3 tries. Regularly get it over >>50' plus >>trees this way. >>73, >>Sandy W5TVW >>----- Original Message ----- From: "Trevor Day" <[hidden email]> >>To: <[hidden email]> >>Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 7:11 AM >>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Line into trees >> >> >>| In message <[hidden email]>, J F >>| <[hidden email]> writes >>| >>| snip >>| >Somewhere I've seen a design for a compressed air >>| >tennis ball line throwing "gun", which looks like it >>| >could be fun. >>| > >>| >cheers, >>| >Julius >>| >n2wn >>| > >>| Although I haven't tried it, one of the larger variety of 'spud guns' >>| may be useful for this. I have one which fires a spud section around >>| 200 yards when powered by 'high octane' hair spray :-) >>| >>| The problem would appear to be how to attach the line to the spud. >>| Perhaps a light basket shaped mesh material loosely arranged over the >>| muzzle of the gun with a light line attached. >>| >>| I have just done a swift 'google' , and plans for the combustion and >>| compressed air versions can be found here http://tinyurl.com/44rwh and >>| at several other sites. >>| >>| Trev G3ZYY _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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