Thanksgiving Project

There are a variety of methods suggested for mounting an amateur radio antenna high in the treetops. You might actually climb the tree, or you might rig up some kind of bow and arrow. I engaged the tools and skills of tree-climbing daughter Rachel who, in this instance, didn’t actually have to climb. Using her giant arborist-quality slingshot, she fired a weighted bag up and over the branches, and it pulled an attached line with it. 

What happened next is best described by this page, which provides instruction for hanging an antenna by means of “tree savers,” which are comprised of a length of webbing with stainless rings at each end, through which a parachute line halyard will be threaded in order to hoist the three points (center insulator, and the end of each copper wire “leg”) of a dipole antenna into their roosts.

I had prepared the strap and ring assemblies, according to instruction, but was having trouble visualizing exactly how the mounting procedure would work. So Allen and I simulated it, using the backs of kitchen chairs as branches, until the 3-Ds of the process became clear. Then, on the lovely sunny Friday after Thanksgiving, we went to work.

With all in place, there is still a glitch. The 1970s vintage Kenwood TS 530S transceiver with which Allen had been gifted by a late acquaintance, while beautiful and sharp in its receptive abilities, seems to be impaired in the transmitting department.

We will have to do something about that. There is no way for me to jump in and help save the world in the face of man-made or natural disasters if I don’t have a functioning rig with battery back-up. Perhaps I will buy something. 

KC3BKR (Yes, I passed both the Tech and General Amateur Radio Operator licensing exams this Fall,) signing off for now.

Taking aim at the big tree

It's pretty high.

positioning the south corner wire

Getting a bead on tree #2, southeast corner.

There was quite a bit of line detangling to stay on top of.

Critical audience

Em's mom came to watch too.

hoisting a leg of the antenna.

Can't transmit!

weirdos