Jonathan Kaplan wrote:
> Hi all,
> I thought I would send a Kaymount weather balloon up about 100' as a
> temporary tower for Field Day. Any ideas, suggestions, cautions re: the
> kind of wire I should use for antenna (150watts max)? Any other comments
> are welcome. BTW I'll be in the middle of a field, no power lines for a
> quarter of mile in any direction.
>
> 73 and THNX
> Jonathan ko6xs
John, et al;
Balloons are OK for holding up wire antennas as long as you keep 2 things in
mind. First, if the wind starts blowing, and you don't have it tethered (guyed)
in different directions; be prepared for the balloon to move around quite a bit.
Secondly, there is always a voltage gradient that increases with altitude and
wind speed (with reference to ground). If the wind is blowing (as it would be
for a kite supported wire), you must protect equipment and operators from
getting jolted!
At our USECA Field Days (the largest Field Day operations in North America), we
have had up to 3 WX balloons suppoting a full size 160M delta loop (as well as
300' wires with kites), not what I would call practical, but sure did turn a
bunch of heads!
Have fun and be careful!
--
73,
Floyd Soo, W8RO
President, HI-RES Communications, Inc.
Past President, USECA
Net Manager, Collins Collectors Assn. (#002)
QRP-L (#396)
hires@rust.net
http://www.rust.net/~hires
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