[CQ-Contest] Hexacopter

[David Gilbert]

That's why I suggested that it would also support a wire for continuous 
power feed.  Please re-read my original post.

By the way, the Hexacopter is supposedly capable of lifting something in 
the range of a kilogram .... 135 feet of #22 wire weighs about a tenth 
of that.

Dave   AB7E



On 8/18/2010 5:11 AM, rmthorne at suddenlink.net wrote:
> Hi Dave:
>
> I don't think it will work.  The hexacopter runs on batteries (lithium polymer) and flight times will be relatively short in the 10 to 20 minute range, probably shorter due to the weight of a wire antenna.
>
> Rich - N5ZC
>
> ---- David Gilbert<xdavid at cis-broadband.com>  wrote:
>    
>> 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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>
>