I see that the Hexacopter received some comments again in the latest
ARRL Contest update. It and its sister products are amazing bits of
technology, and although a bit pricey it occurred to me during a rather
fanciful mood that they might make an interesting DXpedition tool. The
propellers on these copters are driven by electric motors, have
considerable lifting force, and the "fully loaded" versions come with
GPS capability.
Check out this video ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyYujjP5J-k
All of that suggests to me that it might be possible to hoist a wire for
a full size 160m vertical with one of them, including power to keep them
aloft more or less indefinitely. The control circuitry is self
correcting with quick response ... just tell it to remain at a certain
location and it will do so in spite of variable winds or reasonable
velocity. It would probably take a bit of thought to keep high RF
voltage away from the Hexacopter, and also some decoupling of the power
leads, but ....
Maybe somebody could buy one and rent it out. ;)
73,
Dave AB7E
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