Well, I think you folks are making it tooo difficult.. 8-) For years, I have used a light bow (30-40 lb pull) with practice arrows to shoot lines over the tall Georgia pine trees that I use for antenna supports. It is simple and effective. I can control the path of the arrow and the amount of power needed, according to the situation.
I tape a couple of nails to the arrowhead, to add weight and make the tip blunt. I use 30-lb test monofilament line tied and taped just forward of the fletch (I think that is what you call the feathers part!). I lay out the line in a s-pattern, estimating the amount of line required (twice the height of the tree). I plan my shot, at a high angle. My plan is to just clear the top of the tree and let the weight of the arrow pull the line down. Of course, I avoid trajectories that include houses, people, pets, etc.. After the 30-lb line is across the tree, I attach some 50-lb line and pull that back across the tree. If my antenna halyard is heavy, I may use another intermediate size (say 1/8" nylon line) before I attach the halyard and pull that across the tree. I usually tape the line junctions with duct tape to help avoid snags. If I do have a snag, I can usually work it out by pulling the line back, a bit, and then trying it again, with a bit more force. I have tried slingshots, fishing rods/reels, tying the line to a wrench and slinging it across (lost a window trying that one!) and climbing the tree. The bow/arrow works best for me! All of the devices, previously described, will work. But, the operator needs to be comfortable with the selected device. A little practice before you try the "big" shot is always a good idea. Have a happy antenna-raising weekend! I am headed to a little swapfest up around Dalton, GA, to see if I can find some new stuff! 73, Larry KQ4BY ----------------------------------------- Larry Keith 231 Shenandoah Trail Warner Robins, GA 31088-6289 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 478-329-0030 -------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
