[TowerTalk] tennis ball launcher

Mon Dec 26 09:07:17 PST 2011

The reason these will not work is because your are shooting a WEIGHTED 
tennis ball with a string attached!  It take much more power than this to 
launch such a ball.

My CVS-19 will shoot a bare tennis ball 100+ yards. 300+ feet. But with a 
weighted tennis ball and with the fishing line attached, that greatly 
reduces the range. If you had a 50' tree that you were trying to scale, this 
may work fine.

If your trees are much bigger like we have here in western Washington state, 
you need all the help you can get. Most of the large fir trees here are 120 
feet + up to 150' for the real big ones.

73
Jim W7RY

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Kevin Adam" <n9iww at live.com>
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2011 8:07 AM
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] tennis ball launcher

> Bob ? do you have a petco near you if so you go there and get the 
> slingshot
> that will fire tennis balls there two kinds one has a long extendtion that
> wraps around your four arm and the standard one to launch balls for dogs
> these are the exact one wrist rocket makes with fishing line.
> heres the standard one called the mini
> http://www.petco.com/product/117274/Hyper-Products-Mini-Hyperdog-Ball-Launcher-Dog-Toy.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
>
> here's the larger one
> http://www.petco.com/product/117501/Hyper-Products-Ready-Set-Action-Dog-Toy-Pack.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
> All you need to add is fishing reel to retrieve the tennis ball line you
> will need to fill the tennis ball to weight it down with sand.
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: towertalk-request at contesting.com
> Sent: Monday, December 26, 2011 2:00 AM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 108, Issue 90
>
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> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: Antenna Launcher (Mike N1TA)
>   2. Re: Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank (Dan Hearn)
>   3. Re: Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank (Rick Karlquist)
>   4. Re: Elevated vertical (Paul Christensen)
>   5. Vertical Z (Warrenwolff)
>   6. Re: Antenna Launcher (larryjspammenot at teleport.com)
>   7. Re: Antenna Launcher (Jim W7RY)
>   8. Re: Antenna Launcher (Jim W7RY)
>   9. Re: Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank (K8RI)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:48:55 -0500
> From: Mike N1TA <mike at n1ta.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Message-ID: <i0mvpfar0s400kuv6bs5c20l.1324856935387 at email.android.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> I built one of these with some friends when I was 12 for Field Day. Very
> simple, pretty safe, and very cheap. Parts in total under $30. You'll find
> that's considerably cheaper than renting a cherry picker. Local club still
> has it and uses it every year.
>
> Merry Christmas,
> Mike N1TA
>
>
> Frank <frankkamp at att.net> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>>oh!  A grenade launcher!
>>
>>I bet you could rent a cherry picker for a month for what that
>>contraption would cost (including medical bills and lawsuits).
>>
>>
>>Jim W7RY wrote:
>>
>>> Here is what he's looking for:
>>>
>>> http://www.antennalaunchers.com/antlaunching.html
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Jim W7RY
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>> From: "Frank" <frankkamp at att.net>
>>> Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2011 12:30 PM
>>> To: "Bob Good" <k4bg at planters.net>
>>> Cc: <towertalk at contesting.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>>>
>>>> Bob Good wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Merry Christmas to all.  Santa failed to bring me a pneumatic ball
>>>>> antenna launching gun.  Does anyone out there have one that they are
>>>>> willing to part with?  Or perhaps a rental or   secured loan?  I
>>>>> really need to get my 160 meter loop back up while the getting is
>>>>> good.  Being the only "active" ham in my county, I don't have any
>>>>> playmates when it comes to antenna erection.  All my info is good on
>>>>> QRZ including our web page.  Any help?  Thanks and our wish to all
>>>>> for a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year.   (((73)))  Bob K4BG
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Bob.
>>>>
>>>> A launching gun?  Sounds dangerous.  I discovered a simple wire
>>>> deploying mechanism about five years ago.
>>>> It is a softball with a screw eye installed and 100 feet of twine.
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>TowerTalk mailing list
>>TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:43:54 -0800
> From: Dan Hearn <n5ardxcc at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank
> To: Wayne Crawford <resopkr at aol.com>
> Cc: towertalk at contesting.com
> Message-ID:
> <CAHU7KES0LiH+AhSPKKxPJsep75W-tHw1hEcisi0g-09qMrpnwA at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Wayne: There were no photos with this post and I do not know if you have
> found what you are looking for. If not, I saw a simple answer to your
> problem on the internet somewhere a couple of months ago. Here it is:
>  1.Remove the nut which holds the crank handle. Replace it with a long nut
> available at the hardware stores. I dont know what it is called but it is 
> a
> piece of hex bar tapped on both ends and the same diameter as the original
> nut. The one I have is 1 3/4 long and tapped 3/8x16.
>  2. Place a flat box end wrench on the nut extending along the crank
> handle and tie it to the crank handle with several tie wraps.
>  3. Fix an adapter and socket to your HD variable speed drill which fits
> the extended nut. You can now use the drill to operate the winch or use 
> the
> original crank.
> 73, Dan, N5AR
>
> On Sat, Dec 24, 2011 at 8:40 PM, Wayne Crawford <resopkr at aol.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -
>> So far I've only got my raising fixture crank modified. Once I get the
>> tower connected to the pivot point on the base I plan to do the mod to it
>> as well.
>>
>> Modifed raising fixture crank.
>>
>>
>> Modified raising fixture crank pic 2
>>
>> If the weather co-operates I might get the TX-472 tower connected to the
>> base sometime next week.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Wayne C.
>> WV4L
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>
>
>
> -- 
> Dan Hearn
> N5AR
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:10:43 -0800
> From: "Rick Karlquist" <richard at karlquist.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank
> To: "Dan Hearn" <n5ardxcc at gmail.com>
> Cc: Wayne Crawford <resopkr at aol.com>, towertalk at contesting.com
> Message-ID:
> <addb311878e0101882d4bce23702acc8.squirrel at webmail.sonic.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Dan Hearn wrote:
>> Wayne: There were no photos with this post and I do not know if you have
>> found what you are looking for. If not, I saw a simple answer to your
>> problem on the internet somewhere a couple of months ago. Here it is:
>>   1.Remove the nut which holds the crank handle. Replace it with a long
>> nut
>> available at the hardware stores. I dont know what it is called but it is
>> a
>> piece of hex bar tapped on both ends and the same diameter as the 
>> original
>> nut. The one I have is 1 3/4 long and tapped 3/8x16.
>
> It's called a "coupling nut" and is sold to join threaded rods.
>
> See:
>
> http://www.n6rk.com/drill_adapter_for_winch/drill_adapter_for_winch.html
>
> Rick N6RK
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:38:22 -0500
> From: "Paul Christensen" <w9ac at arrl.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Elevated vertical
> To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <77888FD9A27C4E58B14EE7F50D89739A at DellXPS>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
>> If the antenna is 50 ohms X= 0 then regardless of line length
>> the it should show 50 ohms at any length.
>
> Yes, if the characteristic Z of the line is 50 ohms.  Not true for lines 
> of
> other characteristic Z terminated into that antenna.
>
>> Only with a reactive load should a line make the impedance different at
>> the source.
>
> True when a non-reactive load value equals the characteristic Z value of 
> the
> line.  How about an antenna feed-point of 100+j0 (non-reactive) connected 
> to
> a quarter-wave of loss-less line with a characteristic Z of 50-ohms?  In
> that case, the line input Z is 25+j0 (i.e., one-quarter of the antenna Z).
> Add another quarter-wave of line (half-wave total) and we'll have 100+j0 
> at
> the line input -- the same Z as the antenna input.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 22:30:37 -0500 (EST)
> From: Warrenwolff <warrenwolff at aol.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Vertical Z
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Message-ID: <8CE9195DE3BFF04-21E0-23CA3 at webmail-m130.sysops.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>
> Interesting link way down at the bottom of this
> article on input characteristics of vertical with
> different design variables,
>
> http://www.smeter.net/antennas/end-fed-matching.php
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:37:27 +0000 (GMT+00:00)
> From: "larryjspammenot at teleport.com" <larryj at teleport.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
> To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com
> Message-ID:
> <19118518.1324870647826.JavaMail.root at elwamui-rubis.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> One of our local radio clubs has built some of the compressed air/tennis
> ball launchers to sell at ham swap meets over the last year or so, as a 
> club
> fundraiser. They've been well received - I bought one, and am planning to
> try it out, launching a line over some of my tall fir trees.
>
> Does anyone have any recommended brand-names for the "braided 
> kevlar/spectra
> fishing line" to use with one of these launchers?
>
> LJ
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>>From: Kevin Normoyle <knormoyle at surfnetusa.com>
>>Sent: Dec 25, 2011 10:35 PM
>>To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com
>>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>>
>>a well designed antenna launcher is great. A bad one is frustrating
>>(intermittent, non-consistent launch).
>>
>>There's a huge difference between a home brewed one, and one from a
>>purchased
>>kit that has seen experimental testing and development.
>>(unless you just copy an existing good design)
>>I'm not kidding: I've done both. The valve mechanism is critical, as well
>>as
>>sizing of the reserve and barrel.
>>
>>I just use spinning reel with half a fishing pole, held by someone else,
>>for the
>>line. (make sure spinning reel is big enough for the amount of line..small
>>reels
>>common today)
>>
>>But the biggest thing nowadays, is to use braided kevlar/spectra fishing
>>line
>>for the launch, not monofilament.
>>
>>Gives better height, and is SO much easier to deal with. It's worth the
>>cost,
>>definitely. There's a number of different brands.
>>also, for equivalent diameter to monofilament, it's much stronger. The
>>woven
>>line doesn't tangle like mono.
>>
>>I can get +-8 feet sideways accuracy at the top of 125' trees, with a
>>vertical
>>enough launch so it doesn't hang up in other trees.
>>
>>-kevin
>>ad6z
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>TowerTalk mailing list
>>TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:19:44 -0800
> From: "Jim W7RY" <jimw7ry at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
> To: "larryjspammenot at teleport.com" <larryj at teleport.com>,
> <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <F576B1E3FA454372BB69E5218C5D3B84 at Laptop>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Hey Larry and the group!!
>
> I have and use the setup and yellow line shown is this picture on my 
> CVS19:
>
> http://www.antennalaunchers.com/csv19/index.html
>
> Works perfectly! NO mechanical reel to get hung up and break.  Easy to 
> wind
> back up too. With this line over the tree, I then pull up a piece of
> surveyors string or construction twine. Then I pull up my rope of desired
> size. It it's a temporary installation, I use cheap orange bailing twine.
> You buy that stuff in 9000' rolls for $30.00! Cheap, lightweight, and 
> super
> strong and minimal stretch.
>
>
> Practice using your launcher with the weighted tennis ball before you
> actually need to shoot a line up into a tree. It will save you some
> frustration! I LOVE my CVS-19 that I bought as a kit and constructed.
>
> 73
> Jim W7RY
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "larryjspammenot at teleport.com" <larryj at teleport.com>
> Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2011 7:37 PM
> To: <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>
>> One of our local radio clubs has built some of the compressed air/tennis
>> ball launchers to sell at ham swap meets over the last year or so, as a
>> club fundraiser. They've been well received - I bought one, and am
>> planning to try it out, launching a line over some of my tall fir trees.
>>
>> Does anyone have any recommended brand-names for the "braided
>> kevlar/spectra fishing line" to use with one of these launchers?
>>
>> LJ
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>>From: Kevin Normoyle <knormoyle at surfnetusa.com>
>>>Sent: Dec 25, 2011 10:35 PM
>>>To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com
>>>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>>>
>>>a well designed antenna launcher is great. A bad one is frustrating
>>>(intermittent, non-consistent launch).
>>>
>>>There's a huge difference between a home brewed one, and one from a
>>>purchased
>>>kit that has seen experimental testing and development.
>>>(unless you just copy an existing good design)
>>>I'm not kidding: I've done both. The valve mechanism is critical, as well
>>>as
>>>sizing of the reserve and barrel.
>>>
>>>I just use spinning reel with half a fishing pole, held by someone else,
>>>for the
>>>line. (make sure spinning reel is big enough for the amount of 
>>>line..small
>>>reels
>>>common today)
>>>
>>>But the biggest thing nowadays, is to use braided kevlar/spectra fishing
>>>line
>>>for the launch, not monofilament.
>>>
>>>Gives better height, and is SO much easier to deal with. It's worth the
>>>cost,
>>>definitely. There's a number of different brands.
>>>also, for equivalent diameter to monofilament, it's much stronger. The
>>>woven
>>>line doesn't tangle like mono.
>>>
>>>I can get +-8 feet sideways accuracy at the top of 125' trees, with a
>>>vertical
>>>enough launch so it doesn't hang up in other trees.
>>>
>>>-kevin
>>>ad6z
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>TowerTalk mailing list
>>>TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:35:17 -0800
> From: "Jim W7RY" <jimw7ry at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
> To: "larryjspammenot at teleport.com" <larryj at teleport.com>,
> <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <2CB268DC793B4378B14F0FDC9DB7569C at Laptop>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Here is a great info page on launchers!
>
> http://www.antennalaunchers.com/the_rest_of_the_story.html
>
> 73
> Jim W7RY
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "larryjspammenot at teleport.com" <larryj at teleport.com>
> Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2011 7:37 PM
> To: <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>
>> One of our local radio clubs has built some of the compressed air/tennis
>> ball launchers to sell at ham swap meets over the last year or so, as a
>> club fundraiser. They've been well received - I bought one, and am
>> planning to try it out, launching a line over some of my tall fir trees.
>>
>> Does anyone have any recommended brand-names for the "braided
>> kevlar/spectra fishing line" to use with one of these launchers?
>>
>> LJ
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>>From: Kevin Normoyle <knormoyle at surfnetusa.com>
>>>Sent: Dec 25, 2011 10:35 PM
>>>To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com
>>>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna Launcher
>>>
>>>a well designed antenna launcher is great. A bad one is frustrating
>>>(intermittent, non-consistent launch).
>>>
>>>There's a huge difference between a home brewed one, and one from a
>>>purchased
>>>kit that has seen experimental testing and development.
>>>(unless you just copy an existing good design)
>>>I'm not kidding: I've done both. The valve mechanism is critical, as well
>>>as
>>>sizing of the reserve and barrel.
>>>
>>>I just use spinning reel with half a fishing pole, held by someone else,
>>>for the
>>>line. (make sure spinning reel is big enough for the amount of 
>>>line..small
>>>reels
>>>common today)
>>>
>>>But the biggest thing nowadays, is to use braided kevlar/spectra fishing
>>>line
>>>for the launch, not monofilament.
>>>
>>>Gives better height, and is SO much easier to deal with. It's worth the
>>>cost,
>>>definitely. There's a number of different brands.
>>>also, for equivalent diameter to monofilament, it's much stronger. The
>>>woven
>>>line doesn't tangle like mono.
>>>
>>>I can get +-8 feet sideways accuracy at the top of 125' trees, with a
>>>vertical
>>>enough launch so it doesn't hang up in other trees.
>>>
>>>-kevin
>>>ad6z
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>TowerTalk mailing list
>>>TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:00:36 -0500
> From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Using Electric Drill Instead of Hand Crank
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Message-ID: <4EF81B94.7020100 at tm.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> On 12/25/2011 7:43 PM, Dan Hearn wrote:
>
> For safety I remove all handles and wrenches if I'm going to us any
> motor to drive the winch.
> Then I keep one hand on the brake, or latch.
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 108, Issue 90
> ******************************************
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk 