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Re: [TowerTalk] tennis ball launcher

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] tennis ball launcher
From: "Kevin Adam" <n9iww@live.com>
Reply-to: Kevin Adam <n9iww@live.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:07:06 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Bob ? do you have a petco near you if so you go there and get the slingshot 
that will fire tennis balls there two kinds one has a long extendtion that 
wraps around your four arm and the standard one to launch balls for dogs 
these are the exact one wrist rocket makes with fishing line.
heres the standard one called the mini 
http://www.petco.com/product/117274/Hyper-Products-Mini-Hyperdog-Ball-Launcher-Dog-Toy.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

here's the larger one 
http://www.petco.com/product/117501/Hyper-Products-Ready-Set-Action-Dog-Toy-Pack.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
All you need to add is fishing reel to retrieve the tennis ball line you 
will need to fill the tennis ball to weight it down with sand.

-----Original Message----- 
From: towertalk-request@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2011 2:00 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 108, Issue 90

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Antenna Launcher (Mike N1TA)
   2. Re: Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank (Dan Hearn)
   3. Re: Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank (Rick Karlquist)
   4. Re: Elevated vertical (Paul Christensen)
   5. Vertical Z (Warrenwolff)
   6. Re: Antenna Launcher (larryjspammenot@teleport.com)
   7. Re: Antenna Launcher (Jim W7RY)
   8. Re: Antenna Launcher (Jim W7RY)
   9. Re: Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank (K8RI)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:48:55 -0500
From: Mike N1TA <mike@n1ta.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Message-ID: <i0mvpfar0s400kuv6bs5c20l.1324856935387@email.android.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

I built one of these with some friends when I was 12 for Field Day. Very 
simple, pretty safe, and very cheap. Parts in total under $30. You'll find 
that's considerably cheaper than renting a cherry picker. Local club still 
has it and uses it every year.

Merry Christmas,
Mike N1TA


Frank <frankkamp@att.net> wrote:

>
>
>
>oh!  A grenade launcher!
>
>I bet you could rent a cherry picker for a month for what that
>contraption would cost (including medical bills and lawsuits).
>
>
>Jim W7RY wrote:
>
>> Here is what he's looking for:
>>
>> http://www.antennalaunchers.com/antlaunching.html
>>
>> 73
>> Jim W7RY
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Frank" <frankkamp@att.net>
>> Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2011 12:30 PM
>> To: "Bob Good" <k4bg@planters.net>
>> Cc: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>>
>>> Bob Good wrote:
>>>
>>>> Merry Christmas to all.  Santa failed to bring me a pneumatic ball
>>>> antenna launching gun.  Does anyone out there have one that they are
>>>> willing to part with?  Or perhaps a rental or   secured loan?  I
>>>> really need to get my 160 meter loop back up while the getting is
>>>> good.  Being the only "active" ham in my county, I don't have any
>>>> playmates when it comes to antenna erection.  All my info is good on
>>>> QRZ including our web page.  Any help?  Thanks and our wish to all
>>>> for a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year.   (((73)))  Bob K4BG
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Bob.
>>>
>>> A launching gun?  Sounds dangerous.  I discovered a simple wire
>>> deploying mechanism about five years ago.
>>> It is a softball with a screw eye installed and 100 feet of twine.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>>
>>
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
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>

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:43:54 -0800
From: Dan Hearn <n5ardxcc@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank
To: Wayne Crawford <resopkr@aol.com>
Cc: towertalk@contesting.com
Message-ID:
<CAHU7KES0LiH+AhSPKKxPJsep75W-tHw1hEcisi0g-09qMrpnwA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Wayne: There were no photos with this post and I do not know if you have
found what you are looking for. If not, I saw a simple answer to your
problem on the internet somewhere a couple of months ago. Here it is:
  1.Remove the nut which holds the crank handle. Replace it with a long nut
available at the hardware stores. I dont know what it is called but it is a
piece of hex bar tapped on both ends and the same diameter as the original
nut. The one I have is 1 3/4 long and tapped 3/8x16.
  2. Place a flat box end wrench on the nut extending along the crank
handle and tie it to the crank handle with several tie wraps.
  3. Fix an adapter and socket to your HD variable speed drill which fits
the extended nut. You can now use the drill to operate the winch or use the
original crank.
73, Dan, N5AR

On Sat, Dec 24, 2011 at 8:40 PM, Wayne Crawford <resopkr@aol.com> wrote:

>
>
>
>
>  Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -
> So far I've only got my raising fixture crank modified. Once I get the
> tower connected to the pivot point on the base I plan to do the mod to it
> as well.
>
> Modifed raising fixture crank.
>
>
> Modified raising fixture crank pic 2
>
> If the weather co-operates I might get the TX-472 tower connected to the
> base sometime next week.
>
> 73
>
> Wayne C.
> WV4L
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>



-- 
Dan Hearn
N5AR


------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:10:43 -0800
From: "Rick Karlquist" <richard@karlquist.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank
To: "Dan Hearn" <n5ardxcc@gmail.com>
Cc: Wayne Crawford <resopkr@aol.com>, towertalk@contesting.com
Message-ID:
<addb311878e0101882d4bce23702acc8.squirrel@webmail.sonic.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1

Dan Hearn wrote:
> Wayne: There were no photos with this post and I do not know if you have
> found what you are looking for. If not, I saw a simple answer to your
> problem on the internet somewhere a couple of months ago. Here it is:
>   1.Remove the nut which holds the crank handle. Replace it with a long
> nut
> available at the hardware stores. I dont know what it is called but it is
> a
> piece of hex bar tapped on both ends and the same diameter as the original
> nut. The one I have is 1 3/4 long and tapped 3/8x16.

It's called a "coupling nut" and is sold to join threaded rods.

See:

http://www.n6rk.com/drill_adapter_for_winch/drill_adapter_for_winch.html

Rick N6RK





------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:38:22 -0500
From: "Paul Christensen" <w9ac@arrl.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Elevated vertical
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <77888FD9A27C4E58B14EE7F50D89739A@DellXPS>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

> If the antenna is 50 ohms X= 0 then regardless of line length
> the it should show 50 ohms at any length.

Yes, if the characteristic Z of the line is 50 ohms.  Not true for lines of
other characteristic Z terminated into that antenna.

> Only with a reactive load should a line make the impedance different at
> the source.

True when a non-reactive load value equals the characteristic Z value of the
line.  How about an antenna feed-point of 100+j0 (non-reactive) connected to
a quarter-wave of loss-less line with a characteristic Z of 50-ohms?  In
that case, the line input Z is 25+j0 (i.e., one-quarter of the antenna Z).
Add another quarter-wave of line (half-wave total) and we'll have 100+j0 at
the line input -- the same Z as the antenna input.

Paul, W9AC



------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 22:30:37 -0500 (EST)
From: Warrenwolff <warrenwolff@aol.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Vertical Z
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Message-ID: <8CE9195DE3BFF04-21E0-23CA3@webmail-m130.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


Interesting link way down at the bottom of this
article on input characteristics of vertical with
different design variables,

http://www.smeter.net/antennas/end-fed-matching.php







------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:37:27 +0000 (GMT+00:00)
From: "larryjspammenot@teleport.com" <larryj@teleport.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
Message-ID:
<19118518.1324870647826.JavaMail.root@elwamui-rubis.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

One of our local radio clubs has built some of the compressed air/tennis 
ball launchers to sell at ham swap meets over the last year or so, as a club 
fundraiser. They've been well received - I bought one, and am planning to 
try it out, launching a line over some of my tall fir trees.

Does anyone have any recommended brand-names for the "braided kevlar/spectra 
fishing line" to use with one of these launchers?

LJ





-----Original Message-----
>From: Kevin Normoyle <knormoyle@surfnetusa.com>
>Sent: Dec 25, 2011 10:35 PM
>To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>
>a well designed antenna launcher is great. A bad one is frustrating
>(intermittent, non-consistent launch).
>
>There's a huge difference between a home brewed one, and one from a 
>purchased
>kit that has seen experimental testing and development.
>(unless you just copy an existing good design)
>I'm not kidding: I've done both. The valve mechanism is critical, as well 
>as
>sizing of the reserve and barrel.
>
>I just use spinning reel with half a fishing pole, held by someone else, 
>for the
>line. (make sure spinning reel is big enough for the amount of line..small 
>reels
>common today)
>
>But the biggest thing nowadays, is to use braided kevlar/spectra fishing 
>line
>for the launch, not monofilament.
>
>Gives better height, and is SO much easier to deal with. It's worth the 
>cost,
>definitely. There's a number of different brands.
>also, for equivalent diameter to monofilament, it's much stronger. The 
>woven
>line doesn't tangle like mono.
>
>I can get +-8 feet sideways accuracy at the top of 125' trees, with a 
>vertical
>enough launch so it doesn't hang up in other trees.
>
>-kevin
>ad6z
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>TowerTalk mailing list
>TowerTalk@contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk



------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:19:44 -0800
From: "Jim W7RY" <jimw7ry@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
To: "larryjspammenot@teleport.com" <larryj@teleport.com>,
<TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <F576B1E3FA454372BB69E5218C5D3B84@Laptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Hey Larry and the group!!

I have and use the setup and yellow line shown is this picture on my CVS19:

http://www.antennalaunchers.com/csv19/index.html

Works perfectly! NO mechanical reel to get hung up and break.  Easy to wind
back up too. With this line over the tree, I then pull up a piece of
surveyors string or construction twine. Then I pull up my rope of desired
size. It it's a temporary installation, I use cheap orange bailing twine.
You buy that stuff in 9000' rolls for $30.00! Cheap, lightweight, and super
strong and minimal stretch.


Practice using your launcher with the weighted tennis ball before you
actually need to shoot a line up into a tree. It will save you some
frustration! I LOVE my CVS-19 that I bought as a kit and constructed.

73
Jim W7RY





--------------------------------------------------
From: "larryjspammenot@teleport.com" <larryj@teleport.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2011 7:37 PM
To: <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher

> One of our local radio clubs has built some of the compressed air/tennis
> ball launchers to sell at ham swap meets over the last year or so, as a
> club fundraiser. They've been well received - I bought one, and am
> planning to try it out, launching a line over some of my tall fir trees.
>
> Does anyone have any recommended brand-names for the "braided
> kevlar/spectra fishing line" to use with one of these launchers?
>
> LJ
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>>From: Kevin Normoyle <knormoyle@surfnetusa.com>
>>Sent: Dec 25, 2011 10:35 PM
>>To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
>>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>>
>>a well designed antenna launcher is great. A bad one is frustrating
>>(intermittent, non-consistent launch).
>>
>>There's a huge difference between a home brewed one, and one from a
>>purchased
>>kit that has seen experimental testing and development.
>>(unless you just copy an existing good design)
>>I'm not kidding: I've done both. The valve mechanism is critical, as well
>>as
>>sizing of the reserve and barrel.
>>
>>I just use spinning reel with half a fishing pole, held by someone else,
>>for the
>>line. (make sure spinning reel is big enough for the amount of line..small
>>reels
>>common today)
>>
>>But the biggest thing nowadays, is to use braided kevlar/spectra fishing
>>line
>>for the launch, not monofilament.
>>
>>Gives better height, and is SO much easier to deal with. It's worth the
>>cost,
>>definitely. There's a number of different brands.
>>also, for equivalent diameter to monofilament, it's much stronger. The
>>woven
>>line doesn't tangle like mono.
>>
>>I can get +-8 feet sideways accuracy at the top of 125' trees, with a
>>vertical
>>enough launch so it doesn't hang up in other trees.
>>
>>-kevin
>>ad6z
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>TowerTalk mailing list
>>TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk



------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:35:17 -0800
From: "Jim W7RY" <jimw7ry@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
To: "larryjspammenot@teleport.com" <larryj@teleport.com>,
<TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <2CB268DC793B4378B14F0FDC9DB7569C@Laptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Here is a great info page on launchers!

http://www.antennalaunchers.com/the_rest_of_the_story.html

73
Jim W7RY


--------------------------------------------------
From: "larryjspammenot@teleport.com" <larryj@teleport.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2011 7:37 PM
To: <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher

> One of our local radio clubs has built some of the compressed air/tennis
> ball launchers to sell at ham swap meets over the last year or so, as a
> club fundraiser. They've been well received - I bought one, and am
> planning to try it out, launching a line over some of my tall fir trees.
>
> Does anyone have any recommended brand-names for the "braided
> kevlar/spectra fishing line" to use with one of these launchers?
>
> LJ
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>>From: Kevin Normoyle <knormoyle@surfnetusa.com>
>>Sent: Dec 25, 2011 10:35 PM
>>To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
>>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>>
>>a well designed antenna launcher is great. A bad one is frustrating
>>(intermittent, non-consistent launch).
>>
>>There's a huge difference between a home brewed one, and one from a
>>purchased
>>kit that has seen experimental testing and development.
>>(unless you just copy an existing good design)
>>I'm not kidding: I've done both. The valve mechanism is critical, as well
>>as
>>sizing of the reserve and barrel.
>>
>>I just use spinning reel with half a fishing pole, held by someone else,
>>for the
>>line. (make sure spinning reel is big enough for the amount of line..small
>>reels
>>common today)
>>
>>But the biggest thing nowadays, is to use braided kevlar/spectra fishing
>>line
>>for the launch, not monofilament.
>>
>>Gives better height, and is SO much easier to deal with. It's worth the
>>cost,
>>definitely. There's a number of different brands.
>>also, for equivalent diameter to monofilament, it's much stronger. The
>>woven
>>line doesn't tangle like mono.
>>
>>I can get +-8 feet sideways accuracy at the top of 125' trees, with a
>>vertical
>>enough launch so it doesn't hang up in other trees.
>>
>>-kevin
>>ad6z
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>TowerTalk mailing list
>>TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk



------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:00:36 -0500
From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Message-ID: <4EF81B94.7020100@tm.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On 12/25/2011 7:43 PM, Dan Hearn wrote:

For safety I remove all handles and wrenches if I'm going to us any
motor to drive the winch.
Then I keep one hand on the brake, or latch.

73

Roger (K8RI)





------------------------------

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End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 108, Issue 90
****************************************** 

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