[UK-CONTEST] Wire antennas slung over trees

[Graham Diacon]

Just another couple of points based on my experiences

 

.         Having got fed up with twigs and plants getting caught up in the
string I now use a cheap fishing rod fitted a free-runner reel. Just arrange
for the rod to be held firm next to you at approx the right angle and use a
catapult to fire a weight over your chosen tree. I use lead fishing weights.
Of course not every shot is successful so the reel makes it easy to gather
up the string.



.         I'm not sure that use of a bungee string to tension the antenna is
a good idea as I've seen oscillations being set up in the system which
results in very strong forces ocurring. I prefer to tension the antenna
using a snap string. If the forces are too great the string snaps like a
fuse and allows the antenna to stay up. The gauge of  the halyards and snap
string are a matter of judgement as is the degree of slack you want after
the string breaks.

 

Graham

G8EWT