Club News
The trials and perils of the hobby!
I know not where it landed.
Wally, W8WLK
My first launcher I bought from a Ham Club down south
somewhere and it shot a lead filled tube...no way Jose! So I built
one. What you see is probably the fourth or fifth iteration of it
and is probably...all things considered... the most expensive
magnum tennis ball launcher in the world. I wear a hard hat
because the first time I fired a launcher the ball flew out, the line
got caught and the ball swung back and hit me in the head! The
launcher is heavy so I shoot from the ground. A lot of members
have launchers but K8MP Joe and Ed Jones have small launchers
that work really really well. Ed's fits in a case or bag, I forget
which.
I had at one time 300yds of Spiderwire® on my tennis ball
launcher. Over the years I have lost maybe 100yds do to
different reasons but there still was a lot left on the reel. My 40m
loop wire is shedding it's UV protective cover. Probably because
of UV. Plus, three of the four paracords holding it up from trees
started at the top of the tree and sawed it's way threw the
branches so the whole thing is a lot lower. It still works OK but it
would be nice to get it back up where it belongs. And, I used
large white plastic pulleys in the corners and they just look bad
because they are so big so I'm going to end up replacing
everything but the BALUN. The first step which is the most fun to
launch three lines for the higher paracords. I pulled out the
launcher , charged it with air, opened the bail , took aim, yelled
"fire in the hole" and hit the trigger. Whoosh...the shot was
perfect but I didn't see the ball land. I set the launcher down and
was going to raise and lower the ball with the fishing line...but it
was gone!!! There was plenty of line on the real but it looked like
the line had rotted. Pretty weird for never being in any water. I
tried to find the broken end but the Spiderwire® is so small you
almost can't see it. So, my antenna plans are on hold once again
until the Amazon delivers my new braided fishing line. I had to
wait until after Field Day because if something could have gone
wrong it would have...kinda like it did anyway.
Wally
P.S. I want my ball back...
July Meeting: My signal’s bigger than
yours!
There’s a competitive streak in most of us, and there’s a competitive
side to most hobbies. It might be submitting a photograph to be
judged, it might be participating in a run or bike ride, or it might just
be running a ham radio contest.
Before you wave it off, “Aw, I’m not into contesting- those guys are
crazy to operate 24 hours with no sleep, no food…” take a listen to
our speaker this month and find there’s often a contest or two that
you might just enjoy!
Our own Joe Papworth, K8MP, functions as the designated contest
team manager (yes, DELARA still has a contest team!). Joe’s
accomplishments go pretty high up the totem pole, but he can tell
us that as beginning or mid-level operators, there are contests and
a lot of fun to be had! If you want to brush up your operating skills,
get on the air, and have fun- this might be something to ad to your
hobby!
Our meeting will be held at the Red Cross, and Ken has promised to
bring his considerable video expertise to putting it on Zoom if you
are shying away from meetings. Hope to see you there!!