Wire Antenna into Tree Advice ~ 100+ Feet!!!

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Cordage can be found at Xenia hamvention, see video, minute 6:15
• Hamvention 2018 ~ My S...
I want to show you how I shoot my antenna into a tree for POTA or any portable use.
A good simple wire antenna can be shot into a tree easy.
With a basic 100 W HF radio, portable antenna and emergency generator on hand I decided to operate as Class 1B (one transmitter, portable). To keep it simple I set up at my own house and operated only SSB. Yes, I am considered portable, whether I have hauled my station and accessories 100 miles or 100 feet.
I brought the generator out of storage and located it 100 feet away from my operating spot. The distance of 100 feet was significant - it is the length of my extension cord. The antenna was a new Buddipole. I had purchased it with the intention of using it for an RV station during camping trips. So I placed my rig, microphone and foot switch on my deck and mounted the Buddipole in the dipole configuration nearby. That was my entire Field Day station.

[@alexeizhiltsov6797]

This is an amazing video - the first video really explaining the technique of installing an antenna in the field, among hundreds of those where it is assumed there is nothing easier than fixing a wire to the tree. So, thank you very much indeed! As for a wish list, I would think that the technique of raising a dipole would also be very helpful. Possibly it is just adding a second tree, repeating the same "shooting" or throwing process. But I would love to see that. As for an inverted vee, although lacking any experience with it, I would think that one has to "shoot" with the rope as in the film, but instead of an end of a wire the central part with the coax has to be raised. But this leaves an issue on how to fix the ends - at what height and by what means. Of course, all this is just a suggestion, I really enjoyed watching the current video. And do not pay any attention to hate messages - there are lots of "nuts" on the Internet, and the films are definitely meant not for them, but for us. And it seems that I am becoming addicted to this channel! 73 de R2ARM!

[@hamradiocq]

Awesome comment. So kind. I pinned it to the top. I'll try to do something this spring where I do an inverted vee and horizontal dipole

[@vincentmiller6977]

I realize Im quite randomly asking but does anybody know of a good place to watch new movies online?

[@royalhamza3579]

@Vincent Miller I watch on FlixZone. Just search on google for it :)

[@xzavierdariel8179]

@Royal Hamza definitely, I've been using instaflixxer for since march myself :)

[@Aimsport-video]

Great video. Amazing that colored LED lighting all over the room ISN’T needed to convey great info. Shocking.

[@derekcraig05]

I’m a new ham. I literally needed this. I joke with the people at my ham club , just get out your crayons for me. That’s how I learn. Thank you ! I have this saved in my playlist now. Cheers 73! KJ5BEQ

[@ehvway]

In the time of MeshTastic this video is still very valuable. Thank you for sharing sir! 😁

[@OV1Aviator]

I really enjoy your videos. You cover all the details others leave out. Since I live in a HOA I’ll be doing more out in the field. Have been watching your videos and now I’m a subscriber.

[@tommycheshire5508]

You produce the most informative videos on the web! You seem to enjoy teaching and sharing what you have learned. You are not the least bit snobby and I consume your information like a starving man. I am so thankful for you. Tommy

[@hamradiocq]

Great comment! I really appreciate it.... I do get hate comments believe it or not, but nice ones like this make it all better. Thanks so much!

[@w8aarradio683]

Thanks for the tip on the cradle throwing method. Finally took my throw bag and line out this morning for the first time and got the line where I wanted it on the first throw, which never would have happened with the single hand method.

[@hamradiocq]

Yeah that single handed is wild...congrats and have fum

[@RobertMacCready]

Ok, I got how you tied the knot and the rest of your video is very informative. THANKS!!

[@stephennelson-smith3312]

This was absolutely brilliant! Thank you.

[@hamradiocq]

You're very welcome!

[@reyrobles4338]

Awesome ideas! Thank you for sharing. 73s

[@vetinger]

I so like your video with the clear explanation. Thank a lot for this. This technic is so helpful for HAMers, especially, for them, who live in condominium association with a lot of restriction with antennas installation.

[@stevemcnaughton-kb3jc96]

Great video, as always. That twine looks like something I got from R&W Enterprises called Handy Hundred. It's a very nice, strong twine that's slippery as heck!

[@hamradiocq]

Some guy sells it $5.00 for 150' at Dayton every year outside. I bought some 3 years in a row.

[@dheller777]

Thanks for sharing. I have been using a slingshot with a lead weight with Spider wire fishing line. It is a braided type line rated at 30lbs and it works very well for me coming out of an cardboard box that I unfold and refold when done. I do put a piece of thick paper in the bottom of the box to keep the line from catching on the bottom of the box. I have the top flaps cut off the box. Poor mans way of doing things for sure and I wish I had a setup as nice as yours. I do pull my 10-80 end fed up into an inverted V at hope which is my HF antenna I use at home.

[@hamradiocq]

Yes... the inverted V works super well at home where you can leave it up for a while. Speaking of that, I think I need one for my house! Thanks for the detailed comment.

[@MCCRITTERS]

LOL great props! ;-) You forgot to add the creepy peeps coming up and bothering you. ANd clouds of mosquitoes.

[@hamradiocq]

Exactly! It's either snow/icerain or cloud of mosquitoes!

[@smartazz61]

People coming up to you that's funny. My neighbor runs away when he sees me coming. He's afraid I'm going to start talking about ham radio. He just gets that glazed-over look in his eyes.

[@Stuff_happens]

new ham. That’s the same look I get from my wife. I gave up telling her about stuff over one sentence involving radios.

[@larrymaleszewski7127]

Wish I saw this sooner. Made all the same mistakes, and reached the same conclusion. Man, that twine cuts like a razor! These techniques and tools really simply the task.

[@expert244]

I bought some really thin slippery arborist line off Amazon and with a 12oz. weighted bag that sucker hits the ground FAST. Works great.

[@hamradiocq]

Interesting... yeah I tried several types some of it wouldn't slide thru the limbs.

[@MultiProfessorn]

Genious video!

[@thequarantinecatholic]

I have massively tall Heritage Live Oaks and an antenna from N9TAX labs. This is so super cool how you explain this, thank you!! I cannot wait to try these techniques!

[@hamradiocq]

Thanks for the comment I really appreciate it.

[@johnAhrensmyPlanet]

Great video! You took the time to go slow and explain everything. I especially like the sound effects near the beginning.

[@hamradiocq]

Omg, I haven't watched that video in so long, I forgot I even did that. Kinda funny. It's out of focus though. : ) tnx fer comment friend.

[@RobPetty622]

Entertaining video with some great ideas! I've just begun using an arborist weight last summer after getting my water bottle hung up in a tree one too many times. You're right about the challenges of under hand throwing. I've looked at those arborist sling shot and have a hard time coughing up $100 bucks. Wonder if a painters pole and bungee cord would work???

[@hamradiocq]

Yeah, the sling shot isn't really necessary, it's over kill as I mentioned. You should be able to throw it 40-50+ feet, depending on your skill and you can slope it. Thanks for the nice comment!

[@gutyup101]

Thank you for this instructional video. I have an end fed antenna that I haven't used yet and I will try your techniques. Not sure why but the knot tying and the remainder of the video had no audio for me.

[@hamradiocq]

That is odd, I had a problem with my audio also on the last part, but I do have audio. Try with different speakers or try changing settings. Thanks for the comment, Susan!

[@kennethbell4681]

First time I've seen this video of using the throw box. I bought the throw box from one of your later videos. I use a little bigger line that is stiff. I have never had it tangle coming out of the box.

[@hamradiocq]

Yeah, of all things I've tried, that box is the best for keeping tanglies untangled.

[@yakovrokhlin316]

Awesome video!

[@hamradiocq]

Thanks!

[@btc76]

I made all the same mistakes at the beginning of the video. I got to get myself one of those slingshots ;)

[@Alejandro388]

thank you, for explaining this wonderful "extension" to QRP hobby! One has to be both Nicolas Tesla and Robin Hood to QRP properly!

[@hamradiocq]

Thanks for the comment I really appreciate it.

[@tittiger]

Use a "wrist rocket" sling shot to shoot fishing line (from a closed faced spinning reel) tired to a 1/2" or larger steel nut. This has worked ver well for me so far. True that your method perhaps takes less equipment. I am doing this on my own property for a semi-permanent install.

[@paulgarcia1566]

Putting a wire in a tree sounds simple but its not easy. Thanks for your video and these tips!

[@hamradiocq]

You are welcome!

[@alanb76]

Nice video, interesting trigger on the slingshot. I have been able to get to 60 feet with the under-swing arborist technique and gear. When I want to go higher (up to nearly 200 feet) I use compressed air pneumatics and tennis balls with some sand in them. A sloped dipole is another option, it doesn't have to be too high on the low end. Endfeds are certainly convenient. Shooting two trees and raising a dipole to 100 feet is quite easy and fun if one has a little more time and appropriate trees. Australia went anti-everything nuts some years back. Very sad. Value our freedoms. Be safe and have fun. 73 de w6akb

[@hamradiocq]

Thanks for the comment I really appreciate it.

[@gt3940]

a lot of great ideas there Tom! after seeing your previous videos, I went and bought most of that stuff on Amazon, although I didn't know about the small cord I'll have to go look for that a Dayton, And the knots, it was great for you to explain those features of the rope and how to store it, and prepare it for launch. Is the cord about 1/8" thick? You could use a drill bit gage to find out, I'm sure others will question the size . Unless you already have one, Home Depot and Lowe's sells them and they start at 1/16" drill size and go up to 1/2" drill bit size in 1/64 increments.

[@hamradiocq]

Yes, the cord is about 1/8" thick, very thin you'll know it when you see it. Regardless, thinner is better (as long as it's strong).. I hope you enjoy your new throw stuff!

[@Swoop180]

I have been thinking about using a cheap drone to hang some wire. I think using Spider wire or a high tensile strength fishing line to accurately place my initial run to string the antenna would work well. Basically bringing your fishing line up to the branch you want to run your antenna over and once clear cut power and let the weight of the drone pull the line down.

[@hamradiocq]

I think a drone would be problematic. A fishing pole with line would be simpler. I tried fishing line first. And found it tanglea like crazy

[@stargazer7644]

Get an ez-hang from dx engineering. It’s a slingshot with a fishing reel mounted on it. Easy to launch, easy to reel in.

[@hamradiocq]

Great idea and thank you for watching!

[@smartazz61]

YOU TOO CAN DO DX PHONE WITH A KX3 @15 WATTS OR LESS. I'm only writing this because I've seen you complain at least once about not being able to do phone with your kx3. I just got my license a few weeks ago along with a radio and a few of the things that go along with it. I did a little investigating and found that high-end end fed antennas were very highly rated. Because I have a very, very small backyard, I bought their multiband short antenna. Yes they call it a short. Only it's dutch so I think they spell it k o r t. Probably because I really wanted to do a dipole, I couldn't get the idea of having both ends of the antenna at height. The instructions did not advise against this by the way. So I have both ends of my high-end end fed multiband short antenna up about 40 ft into trees. Well my friend ( you helped me to decide on the KX3 for a first radio.) I can guarantee you that you most certainly CAN DO DX PHONE with low power (15 Watts) using a HyEnd end fed antenna. My first contacts two weekends ago were without my system being grounded and it was VERY, VERY noisy. The following weekend I grounded the coax where it enters the shack to an eight foot ground rod. What a difference in noise. Much lower. So my first contact was Loveland Colorado. (I'm in California) 1100 miles. Then I hit Fredericksburg Virginia. About 2500 miles Then the Edward R Murrow relay station in North Carolina. About 2700 miles. In between those contacts was the one that blew my socks off. General Santos City. In the Philippines. About 7500 miles. Voice (phone) , at fifteen watts. Now I could barely copy him, and it was a difficult contact, but so what right? I will admit, I thought the Philippines was some severe luck. A real fluke. However, the following weekend, (last weekend) I made two contacts to Japan to two completely different stations. 5500 miles. Same thing, phone, with fifteen watts. Now I don't yet have any logging software, and my notes really suck, but I know Love land was on 40 meters. The DX contacts I'm not sure but I'm assuming I was on 20 meters. If everything I understand (not much) is correct, I'm simply not high enough to do DX on anything below 20 meters. I'm up at 40 feet. So that's well above 1/2 wavelength for twenty meters, and maybe I'm sort of squeeking in on 40 but, your guess is probably better than mine. I have NOT yet made a contact on eighty meters. I'm very concerned that I won't either. I'm just not up high enough for sky wave. I have an idea that might get me up to over seventy feet though, but that will cost me a few hundred and I need to lay off the spending for at least a few weeks. I'll need two poles to "mount" up into the trees. Probably more like lean against two trees. I found sixty five foot telescoping aluminum poles at DX engineering. That will get me at least to sixty five feet. That would cover forty meters. I am so jealous of guys that have the right real estate for ham radio! I dream of a QTH two 131 foot trees that are 262 feet apart. Maybe even four. One at each corner.

[@hamradiocq]

Yeah, I hear ya on the qrp SSB, I just struggled with it at the beginning and also, I don't have much time and I'm making a video. I need to make contacts so I kinda, gave up on it for now as I found CW to get hits much easier. But I get what you are saying. I will try some SSB qrp asap.

[@smartazz61]

@@hamradiocq I'm a brand new ham so I don't know CW yet I started learning it after I passed my tests. I don't know how long it takes but after about three weeks I'm not exactly ready to start flying away on the straight key. I do have every intention of learning and communicating using CW, and at first I was thinking maybe of letting the kx3 help me along with decoding. I might be able to send okay. What am I saying? Just because I can do the alphabet doesn't mean I can send right? Anyhow I am in awe of you guys that can do CW. I WILL learn it. I just don't know how long it's going to take. So for me doing phone is kind of a necessity almost. Once again I can have the kx3 help me out but I don't know if that's a good idea if I'm trying to learn CW. And as far as the DX contacts I've made, I really believe that so much of that is just plain luck with how my antenna went up, my surroundings, the ground underneath, the conditions that day, that hour, that second. There's so much going on that I just don't understand. I have to admit if I was good at CW I may leave voice behind. I'm making small little wave files, things like my call sign, some Pro signs and abbreviations, my qth, then I put it all together and listen to it over and over and over again. I think it's helping but only time will tell. Keep up the videos they're great. Very entertaining and instructional as well 73 s. As I said in one of my other posts, one of the big reasons I got the kxt set up I mean kx3 set up was because of your videos.

[@OLDMANGAMING1970]

I use a fishing pole with spiderwire line with a big ass sinker.

[@mabo4848]

thanks

[@hamradiocq]

Ok, Ma BO

[@sk8crk]

@hamradiocq do you have a link for the trigger?

[@KentWilliams]

Good video tips. Thank you. What size twine? Did you get that at Amazon? Link?

[@hamradiocq]

I don't know the size, maybe 3mm. I get it at Xenia hamvention every year outside area.

[@hamradiocq]

Here is where I get my cordage, see my video, minute 6:15: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joPaZ5hqfKytZqs

[@kennethbell4681]

Oh, and using the heavier line, I tie only bowlines for knots. They just drop right out. Easy, peasy.

[@hofjen66]

Is it also possible to throw the throw bag like a hand grenade? I think I have to check this.

[@hamradiocq]

Yes of course you can hand throw the bag. I wouldnt be able to throw upwards very well though. Maybe you can.

[@hotsnottatertot5451]

Wait.. hold up.. what noise does the twine make??

[@MoTown44240]

Slingshots are good for us old guys too. The EFHW is best for portable use in my opinion too. Only 2 contact points with EFHW, the branch holding the thrown end and the end that connects to the transmitter. Inverted vee would be great for an extended stay, but like your outings Tom of typically a few hours or an overnighter an inverted vee, again my opinion, is too much effort involved. Also, it requires 4 contact points, the branch holding the feedpoint, the 2 leg anchors, and the transmitter end. 72 de KB8AMZ

[@hamradiocq]

Thanks for the comment Terry

[@paulhastings3109]

thanks for the content, I'll stick with my sling shot and fishing line. Have fun catch you on the air waves 73 KQ4CD

[@hamradiocq]

Yeah, I found that fishing line is very tangly. But do what fits for you! 73

[@paulhastings3109]

@@hamradiocq Guess I should I added a Slingshot fishing line in a fishing way works every time

[@kennethbell4681]

@@hamradiocq I use a Zebco 202 (Cheap at Walmart) and changed out the original fishing line for 25#. It's much stronger and won't tangle as easily. worked for me in many state parks. 73 de K4EES

[@jstrunck]

Gives new meaning to antenna modeling. But it pays to research before the event. 73

[@hamradiocq]

Bingo. tree modeling.

[@k2rcb]

Audio is bad at 9:30?

[@hamradiocq]

New camera I screwed up the audio in that scene.

[@tommasocastelli91]

Can you please suggest me a good wire? Thanks!

[@hamradiocq]

Get some curtain type twine if you can find it. Do a google / amazon search for curtain draw string twine.

[@tommasocastelli91]

@@hamradiocq thanks a million!

[@marchoffman5728]

when i play this video the sound ends at the part where you're tieing the weight. Sound before that is fine.

[@richardp5161]

Random wires & antenna tuner to get on the air quick is the best way to go for a newbie - I've had great success with the cray lobes that seem to emanate from random wires. My rule is - if you can hear them, they should be able to hear you. Learn how to load your wire with a tuner and you have an antenna (anywhere) for life. wb3gbl

[@hamradiocq]

I agree, love the wires. I have been experimenting with easy up verticals lately hoping to avoid tree stuff. All good.

[@richardp5161]

@@hamradiocq Working on an easy up vertical as part of the guy wire system for my VS6BKW antenna, going to use 1/16" aircraft cable and a 20 meter trap to use the 50ft high guy wire as 40/20 vertical - I'm right on the Chesapeake Bay so I couldn't resist trying a vertical on saltwater - maybe consistent Europe contacts? I hope so!

[@Aussat]

Came across this video, must have missed it.... very good although i lost sound half way through... Thanks 73

[@hamradiocq]

Try using dual speakers. I think my audio got only 1 side.

[@K5JHP-John]

Use a big slingshot. Great for 50 feet.

[@alistairmunro4818]

You can legally purchase a slingshot in Queensland, the ACT and Tasmania, but not in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia or the Northern Territory. (The only exceptions are approved toys specifically designed for children.) ... Victoria: Slingshots are classified as a prohibited weapon.

[@hamradiocq]

I think that's ridiculous. Here we fight for our gun rights and slingshot rights. Regardless of the violence they portray on the news, 99% of gun owners here are responsible and use it for hunting/ deer management, or home protection.

[@w8aarradio683]

I picked up some throw weights this winter based on your previous videos and am looking forward to trying those throwing techniques when things warm up. If you do ever decide that you want to try an easily field deployed inverted V, the Sotabeams Bandhopper 2 is my go to when working portable. It covers 20m and 40m though they do have other Bandhopper models that cover more bands. Not as simple as an end fed, of course, but It's really well designed and is great to have especially if you're workign on a radio without a tuner. N4CCB has an outstanding review of it here if you happen to be interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoSUqKt7j6Z7pqM

[@hamradiocq]

Thanks for the informative comment! I'd love to try the bandhopper...just wish I could try it for free first, then buy it!Sounds like a good deal!

[@johntack1049]

My delusions of potato gun grandeur may be finally coming true? 😊

[@bairamzubi280]

Thanks Dude, i want to hide an antenna in my secret DX place. I'll try this way to launch a rybavok over a tree. 73 1AT865 IU4PSD

[@b0neme]

2 words: Delta Loop!

[@hamradiocq]

Setup time...tuning. These havr to be fast

[@claudeeverton8005]

Unfortunately, half of your video had no audio.

[@hughh.8075]

Enjoyed until I lost the audio at 10:46.

[@hamradiocq]

Yeah, sorry about that, messup.

[@tommycheshire5508]

I would kiss road kill for 100 feet of that twine. Find out next time if the guy that sells it has a web page, he could make some coins just with your students.

[@hamradiocq]

I doubt this guy has a web site, he just has random military stuff at the hamvention. He was there last 2 years. I have video of him on my video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joPaZ5hqfKytZqs at minute 6:15

[@GaryUtz]

BTW slingshots are illegal in NYS.

[@hamradiocq]

Yeah NYS has it's problems and slingshots / guns isn't one of them.

[@GaryUtz]

AnythingWithWheels yup NYS is dumber than dirt on many issues. Cool video and thanks for tips on end fed deployments!!! 73 KE2YK

[@smartazz61]

So is using more power than is necessary to make a contact. I doubt most cops would give a guy a rough time once he found out what you were doing with it. Guess what else is illegal in NYC? Speeding, changing lanes without signalling. And probably even a thing or two you do with girlfriend. Life's too short to be concerned with petty laws designed for things that have absolutely no bearing on what we do personally. Our forefathers were about the spirit of the law. Not the letter. Slingshots? Hmpf! What's next? Whoo pie cushions? I went NOWHERE AT 12 YEARS of age without a wrist rocket or a pellet rifle. At fourteen it was Ruger 10-22 I bought with lawn mowing money. Somehow I managed to avoid shooting fifty people with that heinous evil duh duh dooooo!, semiautomatic, eeek! 10 SHOT (FAINTS DEAD HERE) ASSAULT RIFLE. I ALSO HAD A WIND UP 100 SHOT MAGAZINE. IT KILLED ALLRIGHT! IT KILLED MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF 22 AMMUNITION AT LIGHTNING SPEED. And don't forget countless beer cans. Yep! I shot beer cans. People like me should be locked up forever. Sometimes I even call Kaitlin Jenner BRUCE. OH THE HUMANITY!!!

[@smartazz61]

Barring the horrible crime of being in possession of a child's toy, a SLINGSHOT mounted to half a fishing pole is SO much easier than what you're doing. I've done both. The fishing reel is such a huge part of this as it allows the line to spool out without tangling, and it slides through branches with ease (and a one ounce lead egg shaped weight). Finally, when you're bringing in your line, you're using a mechanism that's been made to do the job. No muss no fuss. Ahh, I see you already have one.(An arborists tool is NOT a slingshot. Repeat this ten times) And for the guy that's worried about your legal status, the state of new York DOES NOT classify his launcher as a sling shot. Its an arborist's tool. PEOPLE! DON'T BE REDICULOUS! And also, be very happy. Because if you're only worry is whether or not your antenna launching system is against the law or not, YOU have a charmed life!

[@357Shakey]

Just another reason to avoid NYS. In Texas, I could use a cannon to get line up in a tree if I wanted to. I prefer a slingshot

[@verystupidhandle]

Buy a BigShot Sling Shot. PROBLEM SOLVED.

[@hamradiocq]

See my other videos, I have one

[@ke78487]

These millennials are something else. They make a video game Out of everything. One has to wonder , when are they going to Take life seriously and become a man.

[@robertl.fallin7062]

Nice information but the reality of getting line over tree limbs are interesting! The commercials are loud enough to wake the dead AND CRYSTAL CLEAR but your video has LOW sound and sounding like your in a BARREL! Have mercy on those of us with players and maybe hearing that is marginal

[@hamradiocq]

Yeah it was a mistake with audio.