Hi Steve, I like the video. I have done a bit of kite antenna operating myself, using an Alinco DX70TH, running 10W, from various locations in the UK. The beach is by far the best place I have tried. Regarding the static, I didn't think it was a big deal until I got a good whack one Summer evening, while bringing the wire down. I now use a 10 MOhm resistor pack between the antenna wire and the ground spike. You have whet my appetite to get out and do some more.
I was just wondering what happens to the inevitable static charge with that antenna, but I guess that's a T match or similar with an inductance from 'hot' side of the antenna to ground. There has to be some kind of DC ground there, or your 817's front end would have gone phewee by now. What an antenna though, fantastic. It needs to be tried here I think. One of those kranker VFO knobs, too!
Hi there Spike! That is way awsome you were able to do that. do you still try that to this day or would you you do something differently. I have an 817 myself that I am putting in my go kit along with a 897D and 857D with 3 or 7800R's/7900R's. I'd like to try that with my 817 once see if it would work here in central mn.
@N0rthwestRadio I didn't worry about it. From my experience you need alot of particulate matter in the air and very low humidity such as blowing snow like we had this past winter which really built up bad in the shack here. If you want ot see it check out my video called Static Electricity Discharge.
Steve, heard you today on 7.258 and had to comment on this kite antenna. My friend George, K9TRQ, did this 30 yrs ago or more when he was about 15 yrs old. The kite hit a power line and he ended up in the hospital. One day, he had the article out of the newspaper posted on his refigerator. George is still an experimenter. 73, Frank N9GQR
Very nice 'go-bag' set up there Spike. Kudos on the kite antenna portable. Awfully fine wx conditions there too for November the 10th, glad you got out and enjoyed it while you could.
Very creative. I love the kite antenna. Nice touch telling people what you are doing and actually making the contact. Good signal report for only 5 watts.
Thanks Barry. This was my first successful attempt at doing this. I think it went off well. I has tried a different config since then and it had it's pro's and cons also. I checked out your videos and I like the setup. Will you be working the next QRP event? I may. I've never worked one before.
Are there any antenna tuning issues or concerns with a setup like this?
Barnekkid 5 months ago
Good tuner like inductive coupler/ transformer is great for safety related static issues.
Once antenna is 100 m high , or more - you have electric field corona effects.
Vertical antenna is the worst example, creating huge electric field gradient.
You have constant arc on tip of antenna, which affects receiver.
All very high antennas have this problem, not only kite lifted.
Cheers
VK3EGN1 9 months ago
Hi Steve, I like the video. I have done a bit of kite antenna operating myself, using an Alinco DX70TH, running 10W, from various locations in the UK. The beach is by far the best place I have tried. Regarding the static, I didn't think it was a big deal until I got a good whack one Summer evening, while bringing the wire down. I now use a 10 MOhm resistor pack between the antenna wire and the ground spike. You have whet my appetite to get out and do some more.
73, Phil, G0RKF
kitesurf58phil 10 months ago
WoW great to see well done Barry M6PEC
pspbarry 1 year ago
WoW great to see well done Barry M6PEC
pspbarry 1 year ago
That was fun to see great M6PEC Barry
pspbarry 1 year ago
I was just wondering what happens to the inevitable static charge with that antenna, but I guess that's a T match or similar with an inductance from 'hot' side of the antenna to ground. There has to be some kind of DC ground there, or your 817's front end would have gone phewee by now. What an antenna though, fantastic. It needs to be tried here I think. One of those kranker VFO knobs, too!
73 Perry G0IFI
G0IFI 1 year ago
Ah, just seen the post above. Sorry.
G0IFI 1 year ago
what kind of a kite would you reccomend if you were to do it again?
K0BLR 1 year ago
Hi there Spike! That is way awsome you were able to do that. do you still try that to this day or would you you do something differently. I have an 817 myself that I am putting in my go kit along with a 897D and 857D with 3 or 7800R's/7900R's. I'd like to try that with my 817 once see if it would work here in central mn.
K0BLR 1 year ago
Curious, what are you doing for Static issues? Meaning static electricity building up in the system which could damage radio, or you. Thanks.
N0rthwestRadio 1 year ago
@N0rthwestRadio I didn't worry about it. From my experience you need alot of particulate matter in the air and very low humidity such as blowing snow like we had this past winter which really built up bad in the shack here. If you want ot see it check out my video called Static Electricity Discharge.
SDSpike 1 year ago
where is the swr meter?
zosinternational 1 year ago
@zosinternational The radio has a built in SWR meter. Or you can just tune it for max power which isn't much being it's only 5 watts max.
SDSpike 1 year ago
Hi Steve, nice vid, just wondering what is the little Backpack you are using there, looks perfect size for the 817 and accs
Adrian G0KOM
G0KOM 2 years ago
It's a camera bag which is nice becasue it has movable padded partitions. It's a LowePro Slingshot model.
SDSpike 2 years ago
Steve, heard you today on 7.258 and had to comment on this kite antenna. My friend George, K9TRQ, did this 30 yrs ago or more when he was about 15 yrs old. The kite hit a power line and he ended up in the hospital. One day, he had the article out of the newspaper posted on his refigerator. George is still an experimenter. 73, Frank N9GQR
franksr727 2 years ago
Very nice 'go-bag' set up there Spike. Kudos on the kite antenna portable. Awfully fine wx conditions there too for November the 10th, glad you got out and enjoyed it while you could.
WV6Z 2 years ago
Very creative. I love the kite antenna. Nice touch telling people what you are doing and actually making the contact. Good signal report for only 5 watts.
Barry
barrygkx 2 years ago
Thanks Barry. This was my first successful attempt at doing this. I think it went off well. I has tried a different config since then and it had it's pro's and cons also. I checked out your videos and I like the setup. Will you be working the next QRP event? I may. I've never worked one before.
Steve
SDSpike 2 years ago