Wrist Rocket (slingshot) Antenna Launcher
   



Wrist-Rocket Launcher (with Zebco 404 reel) gets the wire antennas UP in the trees !



I used the handle from a broken fishing rod and a long bolt (from hardware store) to
mount the Zebco 404 reel and the slingshot.  The Wrist-rocket is assembled with a
bolt going up through the handle, replace it with the longer bolt. After cutting the
excess rod off the handle, use epoxy to secure a wooden dowel in the handle, this
keeps it from being crushed when the wingnut is tightened.  An open reel may
work better as the line peels out straighter.

Weights of 1/2 to 1 ounce work well.


My QRP Radio for portable operating; Ten-Tec ARGO-556 and NorCal St. Louis Tuner (kit built in June '96).

  • Radio Works 1:1 balun with banana-jacks to connect the ladder line. Transmatch
    is inside between radio and short coax to feed-thru box.

  • Center connector of my wire vertical. Hangs from tree by the hot lead (red lug) and was
    wired to 6 radials on this trip. Ladder-line bolted between fiberglass for support.
    Radials and vertical wire come off easily with wingnuts for storage.

  • 80m Vertical QRP-ARCI Fall QSO Party (Oct 1996), looking NW.

One of my favorite areas for camping in Colorado is 200 miles SW of Denver
called Saguache Park. A 'park' in geological terms is a large open area
surrounded by mountains. One of the photo's on my main page was taken on
Cochetopa Pass (10,032 ft), a dirt road crossing the Continental Divide and
leading into the remote hills of the Gunnison National Forest. We were
snowed on several times over the 4th of July weekend.

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