[UK-CONTEST] Wire antennas slung over trees

[Ian White GM3SEK]

gm4fam at tiscali.co.uk wrote:
>Andy
>
>A lot of good advice from the sages on the Contest Reflector.
>
>I also have used trees as supports for the last 30 years - the English
>Birch and Oak south of the border and now the Scottish Conifer.
>
>Let me add some more suggestions:-
>
>1) Try and ensure the throwing area is dry underfoot - if you use
>lightweight nylon line its surprising how the moisture will add to its
>weight on repeated throws.
>
>2) Clear away any surrounding debris including fallen twigs and loose
>branches - if there is only one lying around it will attach itself to
>the line and cause enough drag to affect the height of the throw.
>
>3) Always 'scatter' coil the line on the ground between you and the
>tree (never behind you) - it will have less distance to travel and
>won't get caught up in your foot (you are aiming to get the weight over
>the branch not yourself!).
>
>4) I use a fishing weight with thin orange line - a throw similar to a
>cricketer's bowling action is usually quite accurate.
>
>5) Obviously you need to aim as near the trunk as possible - more
>strength in the branch and less movement of the branch in high winds.
>
>6) The suggestion for taping the thin nylon line to thicker line is a
>very good one - if you get that magic throw right at the junction of
>the branch and the trunk the space will be too small for a big knotted
>join.
>
>7) If you have the space its not a bad idea to have a couple of
>practice throws first.
>
>8) Use as thick a line as you can where it is in contact with the tree
>and down to the tie point - the heavier line has obvious advantages
>here and will last longer (lighter line can be used between the tree
>and the end of the antenna to lessen drag down).
>

Also some interesting ideas at an American supplier for "arborists, 
competition climbers, and recreational tree climbers" :
http://www.wesspur.com/Throw-line/throw-line-main.html

The pole catapult and the smooth teardrop-shaped weight bag look 
particularly interesting.

>All you need now is some good wx!
>
>Good luck

And those same good wishes to everyone for BERU.


-- 

73 from Ian GM3SEK