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ZS1DJ > QRP 07.10.04 06:17l 71 Lines 2334 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 0B1516ZS1DJ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Baloon supporting longwire ant
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0AAB<DB0FSG<HB9EAS<HB9AK<UA6ADV<ZS6FB<ZS0DLD<ZS6RO<
ZS0BEL<ZS0STB
Sent: 041004/1429Z @:ZS0STB.TBG.WCP.ZAF.AF #:61378 [Satgat] FBB7.00g25
From: ZS1DJ@ZS0STB.TBG.WCP.ZAF.AF
To : QRP@WWW
Hi there antenna experimenters..
You may have heard or even being involved with BACAR (Baloon Carrying
Amateur Radio).
Well, this idea is BACARA (Baloon Carrying Amateur Radio Antenna)
For some time now, I have been wanting to experiment to see how effective
a baloon held vertical antenna will be, using the following method...
To launch a Hellium filled balloon (typically, the size given away to the
youngsters celebrating their birthday at a local restaurant).
Equipment available:
150' thin Copper wire
200' thin fishing line (if necessary to support the thin Copper wire).
10m Asbestos string
QRP rig
SWR meter
RG 213 coax
A "suitable" ground plane / earthing spikes
Fiddle wood tree (to support wire / fishing line)
(The small Hellium filled baloon can be arranged)
I don't have:
Telephone / electricity wires (that could hamper and upset the works) !
My plan / idea ...
Is to see what length of this very thin wire is required to achieve the
lowest SWR on the bands 10m, 15m, 20m 30m & 40m, (and 80m should I be so
lucky) !
If this works reasonably well without too many hiccups, then I would like
to use this method on a field day or when camping, or just for the
hell-of-it..... QRP ofcourse !
Question/s
What length of wire should I start off with starting with say 40m ?
This I am sure, is quite important to know, as the wire on the end
(nearest the baloon, with bad SWR), could become hot, which could result
in the burning of the fishing line that would be tied to the baloon.
Perhaps I should use a short length of Asbestos string here ?
Velocity factors, I am sure will come into play here, and thus, should I
try (for starters), a different a band (with shorter wire requirement) ?
Should I first weigh the thin Copper wire that I want raised, the Asbestos
string and the fishing line, and check to see the that the small Hellium
filled baloon, will support this weight ?
Am I barking up the wrong tree to achieve my goals ?
What I actually mean is .... would I encounter too many hassles that will
out-weigh the benefit / enjoyment / excitement ?
Please share your thoughts / ideas with me
Many thanks
Regards
Eldred
PS I have plenty of time and patience (mainly weekends) !
73 - Eldred, ZS1DJ @ ZS0STB
Message timed: 16:23 on 2004-Oct-04
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