[TowerTalk] balloon supported antenna

[n8de at thepoint.net]

This was discussed at considerable length back in 2005 on this list.

When using a balloon-supported vertical, a second, non-conductive  
tether is paralleled with the antenna wire, preventing the antenna  
from drifting away IF the wire separates from the base attachment.

The tether is usually some very strong fishing line or appropriate material.

Don
N8DE

Quoting Pete Smith <n4zr at contesting.com>:

> At 05:30 PM 12/16/2008, ve4xt at mts.net wrote:
>> Or,
>> Run the bottom part of the 1/2-wavelength antenna away from the vertical
>> for 30 feet or so and feed it
>> at the corner as an OCF vertical...
>>
>> Then, you have less wire to hold aloft and no feedline to hold aloft.
>>
>> Would make an interesting model to study.
>
>
> At the risk of being labeled a spoilsport, has anyone considered the
> liability implications of accidentally launching a free balloon with part
> or all of a long length of wire attached?  It has to come down somewhere,
> and it's not hard to imagine scenarios in which considerable risk to life
> or property could result, like dropping the wire over the HV distribution
> wire on a power pole, down to or near the ground.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
>
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