[TowerTalk] best way of getting a line over a tree

[jim Jarvis]

Robert,

The tennis ball system has an added advantage.  It isn't considered a  
weapon.

In some jurisdictions, shooting an arrow or firing a slingshot is  
considered the
same as illegal discharge of a firearm.    I cleared it with my local
police here in NJ... who inspected the arrow (without head) and  
string attached,
before pronouncing it was not a firearm in their view.

They recommended that the downrange area be managed.

Which means... no solo antenna work.

I've experimented with bolts in place of target heads on the arrow.    
It minimizes
the chances of sticking into a branch.   But it's still dangerous, if  
someone were hit
in the head by the thing.

Jim Jarvis, MBA
President - Executive Coach
The Morse Group, LLC
732 548 5573 office  908 410 9130 cell
www.themorsegroup.net
Leadership Development * Salesforce Excellence * Strategic Planning



On Dec 24, 2008, at 1:33 PM, Robert Carroll wrote:

> If you can borrow or buy($200 kit, $300 assembled) a pneumatic  
> tennis ball
> launcher you can easily clear a 100' tree from more than 100'  
> away.  It has
> a vertical range of around 200'.  It's expensive, but if you do  
> much antenna
> work, you'll be glad you have it.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of jim Jarvis
> Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 12:52 PM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] best way of getting a line over a tree
>
>
> I know this is an age old question.   What is your best recommendation
> on getting some ropes in the tops of my 80 - 100 FT (25 - 33 M) pine
> trees ?   I have heard a sling shot or bow and arrow can work.   I  
> have
> good access to the trees but there are too many trees to try getting a
> balloon supported line over.   Thank you,   Eric N4HGZ
>
> -0-
>
> No method is perfect, particularly in dense trees.   However, I have
> found that
> bow and arrow works well, providing that you use a fiberglass fishing
> arrow.   anything
> lighter may get hung up in the trees.    (trust me, I've tried.)
>
> In my present incarnation, I use a thing called a 'game tracker',
> which has 15lb waxed string
> in a cartridge which attaches to the bow.    In turn, I use this to
> pull up 100lb string, which then
> pulls up the rope.    I use 1/8" braided dacron.   have tried kevlar
> coated, and it's both stiffer and
> heavier.   There is an axiom that says when you get the rope pulled
> such that it's 15' from you,
> you'll have 15.5 lbs pull and the gametracker will break.   That's
> why I use an intermediate.
>
> This is not a foolproof method.  You will have mis-fires, and have to
> repeat the attempt.
> And, sometimes you get lucky and nail it first shot.    Then, again,
> sometimes you manage to
> drill the very branch you want to go over... dead center.    I had
> one arrow up in a tree in VT @ 100'
> for 6 months before it shook loose.
>
> One other recommendation:   spray paint your arrow(s) a fluorescent
> pink or orange, so they stand
> out.    It is sometimes necessary to finesse their path by pulling
> them back a bit, particularly if you
> have to thread through, around and over multiple trees.    Being able
> to see the bloody things is
> important.
>
> I've used slingshots, as well, with trees up to 60' or so, which is
> what I have in my present yard.
> Having a closed face fishing reel mounted on the slingshot makes for
> a tidy package, but I don't
> think that will work for 90'.
>
> One other thing:  plan on wearing work gloves when pulling on the
> string.    You'll definitely feel it.
>
>
> N2EA
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