Comments on: Contest Point Giving for Christmas

By: kmack

kmack — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:04:43 +0000

I use a slingshot and 1.5 oz fishing sinker. Using an archery reel and some very slick and strong braided fishing line from Cabela’s, it slides through pine tar and bark better than monofiliament that I used to use. Then I pull up the wire or a plumbline to use to anchor the line. I can routinely get 50ft height with the slingshot and actually can hit the spot I aim for about 80% of the time now. I have a picture of both of those methods on the blog at http://k4upg.com/2010/03/28/polar-bear-midnight-madness-event-mar-2010/ or do a search on the blog for reel and you’ll see it and the End Fed Half Wave tuner that I often use with my reels of wire marked for various bands I operate. To change bands I just drop the antenna, change the length off the reel and pull it back into the air. For 40m I sort of favor the inverted L or V over the long sloper for ease of use.

Give it a try if you aren’t too close to people, cars or homes that you might hit with a loose sinker. I shoot relatively vertical so it comes down within 25-30 feet of where I am standing but takes some practice to get the feel of it. Get a slingshot with the arm brace which folds up for transport as it helps steady your shot.

72,
Kelly K4UPG

By: John

John — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:57:27 +0000

How DID you get the wire into the trees?

John KK4BOB

By: kmack

kmack — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:04:20 +0000

Mike,
Sorry we didn’t connect on the air. Weather has been great and I hope to get back out over the Christmas weekend. Too nice to stay inside especially when the bands are good. I’m warming up my Argonaut 509 for SKN. Hope to hear you on the air.
72,
Kelly K4UPG

By: kmack

kmack — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:03:02 +0000

Yes, it was good to connect on the air! Too bad the band was starting to go a bit long and there was a good bit of QRM on you at times, but fun to connect. I also forgot to Grrrrrr to a fellow Polar Bear! Grrrrrr 2x! Merry Christmas!
72,
Kelly K4UPG

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:50:29 +0000

Kelly,

I enjoyed the Sierra to Sierra contact with you on 40 meters

N4KGL

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:20:48 +0000

Good morning, sound like a good time was had other than the bugs and it’s good the animal life kept their distance. It was nice to see the warm pictures and to read of the great temp’s you are having down there. Very nice pictures as well.