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Re: [TowerTalk] balloon supported antenna

To: TowerTalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] balloon supported antenna
From: Pete Smith <n4zr@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:39:35 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
OK, good solution.  Just wanted to make sure the topic was discussed 
now.  One guy I know lost an antenna during the recent ARRL 160 contest - 
it broke about a third of the way up.  I'm sure he'll want to know how to 
prevent that.

73, Pete

At 09:30 AM 12/17/2008, n8de@thepoint.net wrote:
>This was discussed at considerable length back in 2005 on this list.
>
>When using a balloon-supported vertical, a second, non-conductive
>tether is paralleled with the antenna wire, preventing the antenna
>from drifting away IF the wire separates from the base attachment.
>
>The tether is usually some very strong fishing line or appropriate material.
>
>Don
>N8DE
>
>Quoting Pete Smith <n4zr@contesting.com>:
>
>>At 05:30 PM 12/16/2008, ve4xt@mts.net wrote:
>>>Or,
>>>Run the bottom part of the 1/2-wavelength antenna away from the vertical
>>>for 30 feet or so and feed it
>>>at the corner as an OCF vertical...
>>>
>>>Then, you have less wire to hold aloft and no feedline to hold aloft.
>>>
>>>Would make an interesting model to study.
>>
>>
>>At the risk of being labeled a spoilsport, has anyone considered the
>>liability implications of accidentally launching a free balloon with part
>>or all of a long length of wire attached?  It has to come down somewhere,
>>and it's not hard to imagine scenarios in which considerable risk to life
>>or property could result, like dropping the wire over the HV distribution
>>wire on a power pole, down to or near the ground.
>>
>>73, Pete N4ZR
>>
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>>
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>

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