Topband: Inverted L wire

[Gary Hinson]

>      It's a PITA to get the pulley into the tree (you 
> obviously can't use an 
> arrow or slingshot) but it will prolong the life of your 
> wire.  

Actually you can use an arrow or slingshot: 

1.  Put a line right over the tree, or over a convenient high clear branch.


2.  Tie both ends of the line together at ground level (this way you will be
able to both raise and lower the pulley with the line if [when] it gets
stuck).

3.  Fix the pulley to the line using the tails of the knot through the
pulley's fixed ring.

4.  Put your antenna cord through the pulley wheel.

5.  Hoist the pulley into the tree using the line and tie it off, or use a
bungee or counterweight to hold it in position.

6.  Hoist the antenna using the cord, and another bungee or counterweight to
tension your antenna.

7.  Rush to the shack to work lots of juicy DX. 

... Well that's the theory anyway.  In practice, add a couple of hours
messing around with lines, knots, cords, pulleys, knots, wayward branches,
knots, falling debris, irate neighbours, knots, irate partners, twists, ...
and knots.  It's still a PITA.

It helps a bit to hold the antenna cord taught and away from the tree while
hoisting the pulley on the line, otherwise line and cord twist together.
Rotating swivel joints help a bit bot don't solve the problem, mostly
because they don't swivel well when under tension, likewise using braided
cord instead of the usual twisted stuff helps a bit, but knots are
invariably inserted by the knot fairy about 2/3 of the way towards the sky.

73
Gary  ZL2iFB