Topband: launching lines over trees

[Grant Saviers]

I have tried most means for "line over branch" - slingshots with 
spinning reels, bow and arrow, arborist swing toss weights (that is a 
skill I don't have), fishing pole with sinker, tree climber, boom lifts, 
and finally the CSV19. Easily launches to 135'.  The last is by far the 
winner.  After using mine at FD, my club bought one which gets loaned 
out for regular use.  Advocates of other means were instantly converted. 
  The bow fishing line spool is a great accessory for the CSV and 
polyethylene braided line even at 50# strength is tiny. Posted B4, the 
Ryobi $20 18v hand compressor is terrific in the field, just don't 
exceed the max reservoir pressure.  The doggie tennis balls with the 
heavy cover and the recommended inserted pennies for weight come down 
thru big cedars, spruce, and hemlocks pretty easily.  My second line is 
usually paracord then it pulls up the line with the pulley that has the 
antenna support line threaded.  I'm happy when the tree grows around the 
pulley line - no chafe.  I always have a paracord pull down on the 
antenna line at the insulator so when (not if) the antenna wire breaks I 
can retrieve the line's end.  Always use Synthetic Textiles rope which 
seems to last forever.

Grant KZ1W

On 12/27/2018 12:17 PM, terry burge wrote:
> My experience with sling shots has been dismal and dangerous. I've had the lead weights come back at me or go off in other directions. And anyone who can put a line over a hundred foot tree I'll take my hat off too. About 40 foot was my height as I recall. That was with one of these sling shots that have the fold over arm rest that are supposedly better than home brew jobs. Also, when the tubing breaks you can't find the right size and what you do find you can't get over the ends of the metal frame.
> 
> The air launched 2 oz. was better but from a restricted suburban lot can be dangerous, especially if the fishing line breaks sending the weight who knows where. My CSV19 I talked about awhile back is quite capable of shooting a line over a 150- fir tree, I've done it. The big thing is remember to open the bail on the fishing spool. Another thing maybe is to get good at judging how much pressure to use. Right now I have a 'lost' tennis ball hanging from my third set of guy wires on my tower that I think will be there for several years. Snap that 30# woven line and you don't know if you will ever find your tennis ball again. Days later, 'oh, there's that tennis ball I shot'. Thought I looked there before' type of thing. At least I've got a bit more room now in the country.
> 
> www.akbeng.com/products/antenna-launchers/csv19-launcher/
> 
> Best I've found. Now, if I could just figure out how to get some tree branches down that restrict my 4-square 3/16" dacron tie lines. Good luck using one of the other methods. I once saw my friend Steve, WB7OTR launch a weighted line over a rafter indoors about 45-50' high which was something I'll never in my best days be able to do. Did this while setting up a ham station at the Douglas County fairgrounds in Roseburg for the Umpqua Valley ham club. Funny, they never invited us back? Steve  was in the Coast Guard so maybe he got practice. 'how'd you do that?'
> 
> Terry
> KI7M
> 
>> On December 27, 2018 at 10:58 AM Mike Furrey <mikefurrey at att.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Nice and Expensive! I use a $10 wrist rocket, a $5 spin-casting rod~n~reel from a yard sale, 3/4 oz fishing weight, ask someone to hold my beer, and tell everyone to go hide  ...
>>
>> --------------------------------------------
>> On Thu, 12/27/18, terry burge <ki7m at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>   Subject: Topband: launching lines over trees
>>   To: topband at contesting.com, "terry burge" <ki7m at comcast.net>
>>   Date: Thursday, December 27, 2018, 4:20 AM
>>   
>>   Let me see if I can paste a link here. Using
>>   Windows 10 copy and paste never seems to work right for me.
>>   Anyway, this place has the most 'serious' line launchers
>>   I've ever come across.
>>   
>>   http://www.sherrilltree.com/climbing-gear/bigshot-launchers
>>   
>>   
>>   Take a look. (my copy and paste
>>   worked!).
>>   
>>   
>>   Terry
>>   
>>   KI7M
>>   
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