Rather than constantly going to parks nearby our Lake George cabin in order to operate, I decided to try something new this year. I decided that I would hoist the PAR END FEDZ into a tree behind our cabin. However, since the Jeep was pretty much packed to the brim coming here, I didn't want to bring along the pneumatic launcher. So I decided to resurrect my home brew EZ-Hang. I put a new (but very inexpensive) Shimano closed faced spinning reel on it, and I put new latex bands on the launcher part.
The pine is at least 50 ft (16 meters) tall. It would be a good support. I never had much success with the EZ-HANG before, but figured I had nothing to lose in giving it another shot. Much to my surprise, I had pretty good luck with it today. I got a line up in the tree right about the 35 foot (12 meters) level, after a bit of practice. I use a 1 Oz lead fishing weight as the projectile. The weight is tear drop shaped and I always used to place the weight in the pouch with the blunt end facing me and the end with the eyelet facing forward. Today I changed that so that the weight in the launching pouch was pretty much straight up and down. This lead to truer flights, and better control.
The PAR is now up there, and will remain there until I have to take it down later this week. I got on 20 and 40 Meters for a bit this afternoon, but band conditions seemed pretty crummy. A look at my solar weather box afterward confirmed "that it wasn't me" which is always the first thing I think when my luck is bad. Funny how I always give credit to conditions when the bands are good, but tend to blame myself when they're bad.
Oh well, tomorrow is another day. When I get on, I will be self spotting myself on QRPSpots, so check it out from time to time.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Good morning Larry,
ReplyDeleteI love my EZ-Hang. I have used it several time with much success. I will try your suggestion with the position of the projectile up-right. I enjoy your blog very much. Hope to hear you on the air agn. Have a great week at the lake.
72,
Norm/K1NAJ
Larry have a nice and relaxing (lots of radio time as well) holiday!
ReplyDeleteMike
When I build the Mark II antenna launcher, I used an open-faced reel, instead of the cheapo closed-face reel.
ReplyDeleteMy reasoning was that the open-faced reel would offer less resistance to line spooling off the reel. This seems to ring out in both he Mark II and III versions. With nothing to obstruct the free-flow of nylon when the weight flies, greater height is easily achieved.
I have some advice on the use of the slingshot antenna launcher on my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com/2012/09/mark-iii-antenna-launcher.html