Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 94, Issue 15

Fri Oct 15 07:34:08 PDT 2010

If you can shoot a sinker over a 100 foot tree with a slingshot, I think you get to marry Penelope :)

Be careful which direction you launch that sinker. The line can and does brak, and it really travels far if it doesn't have to drag the fishinhg line along behind it. A 1 ounce sinker falling from height could really injure someone...

73 Steve K0SR

-----Original Message-----
From: topband-request at contesting.com [mailto:topband-request at contesting.com]
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 09:16 AM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 94, Issue 15

Send Topband mailing list submissions to	topband at contesting.comTo subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit	http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topbandor, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to	topband-request at contesting.comYou can reach the person managing the list at	topband-owner at contesting.comWhen replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Contents of Topband digest..."Today's Topics: 1. Re: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over the top ofa tree (bob finger) 2. Fwd: Re: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over the top ofa tree (Art K6XT) 3. The Slingshot Option (Pete Smith) 4. Re: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over the top ofa tree (Charles Moizeau) 5. Re: The Slingshot Option (Gerry Treas, K8GT) 6. Re: The Slingshot Option (Barry N1EU) 7. Re: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over the	top ofa tree (W2PM) 8. Re: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over the	top ofa tree (W2PM) 9. modified TX3A rx antenna (kees nijdam)----------------------------------------------------------------------Message: 1Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:09:46 -0400From: bob finger Subject: Re: Topband: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over	the top ofa treeTo: sebdesn Cc: topband at contesting.comMessage-ID: <4CB71D3A.6060105 at goeaston.net>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-15; format=flowedYes. Been there done that. Until you have used a tennis ball gun you don't know how easy and accurate you can be putting lines over branches, inside a tower etc etc. Slingshots are like using a TS520 vs the tennis ball gun being like a K3. They both get the job done. 73 bob de w9gesebdesn wrote:>I went to Walmart and bought a cheap spinning reel(Attach it to the sling>shot) . a sling shot, >------------------------------Message: 2Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:39:06 -0600From: Art K6XT Subject: Topband: Fwd: Re: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire	over the	top ofa treeTo: TopBand List Message-ID: <4CB7241A.4050502 at arrl.net>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowedNot to mention, plastic pipe can be dangerous when gas-pressurized. If the pipe fails, gas decompression fires pieces of pipe like bullets. Not that I don't use it myself, just worth noting. If the pipe gets hit hard enough to break, duck quickly!73 Art-------- Original Message --------Subject: Re: Topband: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over the	top ofa treeDate: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:28:41 -0600From: sebdesn To: I went to Walmart and bought a cheap spinning reel(Attach it to the slingshot) . a sling shot, a small lead fishing weight. and some light fishingline line.Its very easy to shoot it a hundred feet over a tree and then attach rope toit, to pull wire over. also very reasonable price/ wise...Bud WOHG-Dear allsome time ago there were some discussions on reflector about how tomake a pneumatic device that could be used to launch a fishing linewith sinker over a top of a tree for attaching wire antennas..73 de VK2CCCwww.qrz.lt/ly1df_______________________________________________UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK_______________________________________________UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK------------------------------Message: 3Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:27:50 -0400From: Pete Smith Subject: Topband: The Slingshot OptionTo: sebdesn Cc: topband at contesting.comMessage-ID: <4CB72F86.8020805 at contesting.com>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowedBud, this is exactly what I did, and it has never worked worth a darn - most times, the fishing weight doesn't get even 15 feet from the slingshot. Where on the slingshot did you attach the reel? Did you use a closed or open-face reel? What weight of line? I'd sure like to rehab mine, if I could figure out what to do.73, Pete N4ZRThe World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.comThe Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com,spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000On 10/14/2010 10:28 AM, sebdesn wrote:> I went to Walmart and bought a cheap spinning reel(Attach it to the sling> shot) . a sling shot, a small lead fishing weight. and some light fishing> line line.> Its very easy to shoot it a hundred feet over a tree and then attach rope to> it, to pull wire over. also very reasonable price/ wise...> Bud WOHG> ->> Dear all>> some time ago there were some discussions on reflector about how to> make a pneumatic device that could be used to launch a fishing line> with sinker over a top of a tree for attaching wire antennas..>>> 73 de VK2CCC>> www.qrz.lt/ly1df> _______________________________________________> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK>> _______________________________________________> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK>>> ------------------------------Message: 4Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:23:08 -0400From: Charles Moizeau Subject: Re: Topband: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over	the top ofa treeTo: , Topband Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"A disadvantage of using a fishing reel to store the line is that there is no easy way to limit the maximum travel of the projectile. Thus the line can end up in a tree beyond the targeted one, or in any other undesired place. A better approach is to estimate the distance to the target and lay out that much line in a back and forth (multiple Ss) pattern on a plastic tarpaulin. I use a 12' x 20' tarpaulin, folded to quarter size to present a 6' x 10' surface. The tarpaulin offers the line a friction-free surface. Line that is not laid out is stored on a 9" diameter kite flyer's hoop spool. After a shot is made and the laid-out line is in the air, the hoop spool jumps up, a turn or two of additional line is dispatched, and the weight of the spool and stored line gently brakes the projectile to limit its travel. I prefer a compound bow and weighted arrow, for the considerable length-to-mass ratio of an arrow facilitates its passage through leaves and twigs whereas a lead weight is likely to ricochet wildly after striking any interfering object. 73, Charles, W2SH > From: sebdesn at comcast.net> To: topband at contesting.com> Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:28:41 -0600> Subject: Re: Topband: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over the top ofa tree> > I went to Walmart and bought a cheap spinning reel(Attach it to the sling> shot) . a sling shot, a small lead fishing weight. and some light fishing> line line.> Its very easy to shoot it a hundred feet over a tree and then attach rope to> it, to pull wire over. also very reasonable price/ wise...> Bud WOHG> -> > Dear all> > some time ago there were some discussions on reflector about how to> make a pneumatic device that could be used to launch a fishing line> with sinker over a top of a tree for attaching wire antennas..> > > 73 de VK2CCC> > www.qrz.lt/ly1df> _______________________________________________> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK> > _______________________________________________> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ------------------------------Message: 5Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 4:21:05 +0000From: "Gerry Treas, K8GT" Subject: Re: Topband: The Slingshot OptionTo: sebdesn , n4zr at contesting.comCc: topband at contesting.comMessage-ID: <20101015042106.LQ5O0.171196.root at hrndva-web19-z01>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8Hi Pete and all,First of all, use an egg sinker, (1 oz. or 1.5 oz.) with the hole through the long axis. Get a small length of insulation from hookup wire. Thread the fishing line, (6#, 8#, 10#) through the "spaghetti" insulation, which is used to keep the edge of the hole in the sinker from cutting the line. The reason for the egg sinker is symmetry, many other types of sinkers tumble and all the energy is lost in the tumble.You didn't forget to push the button for free spooling, before you let fly, right? Also, most slingshots use tan surgical tubing, which loses elasticity in less than two years. Find the replacement tubing that is black, it will last much longer, but requires a "heftier" pull, and it will go farther.The slingshot mus be of the "wrist rocket" type with the wrist brace. Then I just bent a metal coat hanger to attach to the brace. On another slingshot, I attached the reel to the side of the brace using stainless hose clamps with a wood dowel to take up space in the hose clamp.I've gotten as high as 75', not the 100' that some claim, but usually only 50' or so. Still takes practice and sometimes lots of tries.I'm still planning on a pneumatic launcher one of these days.73, Gerry, K8GT---- Pete Smith  wrote: =============Bud, this is exactly what I did, and it has never worked worth a darn - most times, the fishing weight doesn't get even 15 feet from the slingshot. Where on the slingshot did you attach the reel? Did you use a closed or open-face reel? What weight of line? I'd sure like to rehab mine, if I could figure out what to do.73, Pete N4ZRThe World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.comThe Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com,spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000On 10/14/2010 10:28 AM, sebdesn wrote:> I went to Walmart and bought a cheap spinning reel(Attach it to the sling> shot) . a sling shot, a small lead fishing weight. and some light fishing> line line.> Its very easy to shoot it a hundred feet over a tree and then attach rope to> it, to pull wire over. also very reasonable price/ wise...> Bud WOHG> ->> Dear all>> some time ago there were some discussions on reflector about how to> make a pneumatic device that could be used to launch a fishing line> with sinker over a top of a tree for attaching wire antennas..>>> 73 de VK2CCC>> www.qrz.lt/ly1df> _______________________________________________> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK>> _______________________________________________> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK>>> _______________________________________________UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK------------------------------Message: 6Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:31:54 +0000From: Barry N1EU Subject: Re: Topband: The Slingshot OptionTo: topband at contesting.comMessage-ID:	Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8On Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 4:27 PM, Pete Smith  wrote:> Bud, this is exactly what I did, and it has never worked worth a darn -> most times, the fishing weight doesn't get even 15 feet from the> slingshot. ?Where on the slingshot did you attach the reel? ?Did you use> a closed or open-face reel? ?What weight of line? ?I'd sure like to> rehab mine, if I could figure out what to do.>I've been using a slingshot successfully for many years for launchingup to 80ft or so. Above that, I use a bow/arrow.With the slingshot, I don't use a reel - I let the line feed directlyoff the spool, and this has always worked fine. I use 6-8lb test linefor the initial shot along with 1-1.5oz of weight. The lighter weightwill go higher but may not be able to pull the line down to ground.Once the line is in place, I use it to pull 20-30lb test line throughand then use that to pull rope through.73, Barry N1EU------------------------------Message: 7Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:48:03 -0400From: W2PM Subject: Re: Topband: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over	the	top ofa treeTo: bob finger Cc: "topband at contesting.com" ,	sebdesn	Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=us-asciiI agree slingshots are very difficult to get accuracy with because of how you have to hold the weight AND they often lack power at steep angles or heights over 60 ft. But I don't know about using such an elaborate device when a decent bow and arrow is so simple and effective. And you don't have to be Robin Hood for accuracy as you have enough launch power to get high enough over an intended branch wihtout having to be pinpoint accurate.. That said I have had times where i did need to get in between a narrow crotch in a upper area and it's wasn't hard to do it with an arrow which is slender.Sent from my iPadOn Oct 14, 2010, at 11:09, bob finger  wrote:> Yes. Been there done that. Until you have used a tennis ball gun you > don't know how easy and accurate you can be putting lines over branches, > inside a tower etc etc. Slingshots are like using a TS520 vs the tennis > ball gun being like a K3. They both get the job done. 73 bob de w9ge> > sebdesn wrote:> >> I went to Walmart and bought a cheap spinning reel(Attach it to the sling>> shot) . a sling shot, >> > > _______________________________________________> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK------------------------------Message: 8Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:50:29 -0400From: W2PM Subject: Re: Topband: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over	the	top ofa treeTo: Charles Moizeau Cc: Topband ,	""	Message-ID: <27C70F9C-2C0A-40D5-B683-2FF04BEBCB00 at aol.com>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=us-asciiYes but with a little practice and a keen eye you can manually pull on the launched fishing line to prevent it from overshooting the target or worse, go wild. HOWEVER, be careful it doesn't arc backward and into a downward path where you are standing (did that , done that AND survived it -- thanks to quick legs)Sent from my iPadOn Oct 14, 2010, at 16:23, Charles Moizeau  wrote:> > A disadvantage of using a fishing reel to store the line is that there is no easy way to limit the maximum travel of the projectile. Thus the line can end up in a tree beyond the targeted one, or in any other undesired place.> > A better approach is to estimate the distance to the target and lay out that much line in a back and forth (multiple Ss) pattern on a plastic tarpaulin. I use a 12' x 20' tarpaulin, folded to quarter size to present a 6' x 10' surface. The tarpaulin offers the line a friction-free surface. Line that is not laid out is stored on a 9" diameter kite flyer's hoop spool. After a shot is made and the laid-out line is in the air, the hoop spool jumps up, a turn or two of additional line is dispatched, and the weight of the spool and stored line gently brakes the projectile to limit its travel.> > I prefer a compound bow and weighted arrow, for the considerable length-to-mass ratio of an arrow facilitates its passage through leaves and twigs whereas a lead weight is likely to ricochet wildly after striking any interfering object.> > 73,> > Charles, W2SH> > >> From: sebdesn at comcast.net>> To: topband at contesting.com>> Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:28:41 -0600>> Subject: Re: Topband: Pneumatic device for throwing antenna wire over the top ofa tree>> >> I went to Walmart and bought a cheap spinning reel(Attach it to the sling>> shot) . a sling shot, a small lead fishing weight. and some light fishing>> line line.>> Its very easy to shoot it a hundred feet over a tree and then attach rope to>> it, to pull wire over. also very reasonable price/ wise...>> Bud WOHG>> ->> >> Dear all>> >> some time ago there were some discussions on reflector about how to>> make a pneumatic device that could be used to launch a fishing line>> with sinker over a top of a tree for attaching wire antennas..>> >> >> 73 de VK2CCC>> >> www.qrz.lt/ly1df>> _______________________________________________>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK>> >> _______________________________________________>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK> > _______________________________________________> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK------------------------------Message: 9Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:34:34 +0200From: "kees nijdam" Subject: Topband: modified TX3A rx antennaTo: Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"I made the original TX3A antenna with two fiber poles each 9 meter high.Due to the tension in the diagonal wires it was not easy to get the antennaup easy.I have the possibility to put up a 35 meter horizontal wire between my towerand the house, about 6,5 meter high.With the same total length of wire I made two rectangular loops instead ofthe triangels. (both 5 x 11 m, 1.5 m high)EZNEC shows the same diagrams. Resistor should be somewhat lower in value(900 Ohms). However, putting the antenna up was much easier.I must conclude that this antenna outperforms my K9AY loops. It comes closertomy 160m beverage (on 160 meter)73,Kees , PE5T------------------------------_______________________________________________Topband mailing listTopband at contesting.comhttp://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topbandEnd of Topband Digest, Vol 94, Issue 15***************************************