[TowerTalk] Weather Ballon Source

Wed, 16 Aug 2000 11:41:46 -0400

On Wed, 16 Aug 2000 07:18:43 -0400 Paul McInnish - K4BET
<k4bet@bellsouth.net> writes:
> 
> Anyone know of a source to procure new OR used (preferably used) 
> helium weather balloons?
> 
> Before all the 'comments' and thread starts... running some antenna
> experiments! No, not filled with gas... I'll furnish the gas!
> 
> Tnx,   Paul - K4BET

From:
Fred Hopengarten K1VR                        
hopengarten@post.harvard.edu
Six Willarch Road * Lincoln, MA 01773-5105
781/259-0088 *eFax 419/858-2421

FAQ:  Balloons
Collected by Fred Hopengarten K1VR

From: Chuck <dietz@texas.net>
Date: Thu, 05 Mar 1998 08:16:28 -0600
Subject: [TowerTalk] Re: Ballloon

Don Prater wrote:

> What
> is the physical configuration of the balloons that Fair Radio sells?
What
> is the leak rate? How much do they cost? What is the availability? What
> does it cost to rent a cylinder of gas? How large a balloon is it? Can
you
> reuse it? How much weight will it support? What size and type of wire
did
> you use?

The balloon is shaped like a manta ray.  Fair Radio Sales has a web page.

http://alpha.wcoil.com/~fairadio/index.html

You need to refill it each day, although it will only lose about 25% of
its
helium.  They are $25 each.  I rented a 80 cu ft cylinder of helium for
$15.99 plus a $150 deposit.  It filled the balloon and recharged it the
next day and still had about 30-40% of the helium left.  The balloon is
about 5-6 feet across and about 3 feet thick.  You can reuse it if you
don't snag it on a tree or something.  Mine is reusable.  I used about
#22 insulated wire.

Careful filling it.  The gas comes out of the nozzle so rapidly you will
blow holes in the balloon if it is aimed directly at it.

Chuck, KZ5MM
=====
From: jfeustle <jfeustle@uoft02.utoledo.edu>
Date: Fri, 06 Mar 1998 11:30:06 -0500
Subject: [TowerTalk] Balloons

I looked into the balloons that Fair Radio has to offer. I contacted them
via e-mail and here's the reply.

------------------------------------------------------------

WE HAVE A LARGE MANTA RAY SHAPED SAFETY ORANGE PLASTIC BALLOON, 8 FT
WINGTIP TO WINGTIP AND NOSE TO TAIL.  SHAPED LIKE A LIFTING BODY.  IN
FACT WE DID FLY IT LIKE A KITE.  UNUSED $25.00 PLUS SHIPPING. 
#SEB-42-ALV

ML-541A WEATHER BALLOON 7 FT DIAMETER UNUSED $17.95 EACH  2/$32.00 PLUS
SHIPPING

------------------------------------------------------------

The problem we had with our balloon antenna, outside of the operators
sniffing the gas, was with the wind driving it back down toward the
ground. Perhaps since the one Fair Radio balloon is shaped like a lifting
body, this will not be a problem. Wonder how I'd explain this one to the
neighbors....

Joe, N8JF
=====
From: David Jordan <wa3gin@erols.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 13:11:31 -0400
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Balloon as Temporary Tower for FD

Fair Radio has tether Wire for sale...300ft spool of vinyl covered
braided #22 for $13.

I ordered some to play with when out camping...you can reach them at
www2.wcoil.com/~fairadio

-- dave
=====
From: "Mike Michon" <michon@eatel.net>
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 09:03:37 -0700
Subject: Re: Topband: Source for Helium Balloons

We use the balloons from:

Balloons Everywhere
4658 Airport Bvd.
Mobile, AL 36608

Internet www.balloons.com
Local--334-341-3520
Fax--334-341-3582
Free FAx--800-753-3528
Nationwide--800-239-2000

The 4 foot diameter supports 75 feet of the wire we use (military surplus
steel/copper, about 18/20 gauge).

We use a 60 foot mast so we don't have to support the whole wire, and it
keeps it from blowing horizontal into the trees. The mast is EMT
sections.

By adding a second balloon at the midpoint of the antenna, it adds more
lift, and in a breeze, for some reason, the 2 balloons tend to blow
(oscillate) in different directions.  It is funny to watch, but the
antenna
maintains a vertical position in a wind better this way.

I would also recommend ordering extra balloons as we have purchased them
with holes right out of the pack. Not a happy thought 2 days before the
160
contest in the woods of Mississippi.

The 4 foot and 3 foot balloons are not listed in their catalogue, but if
you
call them and ask, they have them. About $9.00 a piece if I remember
correctly.

Mike Michon AB5XP

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