New 160 meter antenna and launcher. Post #1616.
If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51wEe-Wg1IQ. Besides the large size of most 160 meter antennas, getting the antenna high enough for a good take off angle presents special challenges. Most antenna references recommend getting dipoles at least 1/2 wavelength above ground to work decent dx--something that is often difficult to achieve if you don't have tall supports such as trees on your property. Even if you have trees to support your antenna, getting the antenna launched into the upper branches can be quite a headache. In this video, Dave and his friends solve that issue with a specially designed "pneumatic weight launcher" that puts antenna elements in a tree's upper branches without much stress. I rather like Dave's design, having tried slingshots, casting rods, and bows/arrows with varying success. A nicely done video with valuable suggestions for those radio am...