Practical_Antenna_Handbook_0071639586

640 p a r t V I I I : M e c h a n i c a l C o n s t r u c t i o n a n d I n s t a l l a t i o n T e c h n i q u e s
• One manufacturer sells a slingshot in the amateur radio market. The projectile is
typically a metal ball with a tab for tying fish line to, or a large metal hex nut
from the user’s parts bin after the metal ball has become lost. Many people have
had success with a slingshot, but the author has found its aiming accuracy to be
less than that of other approaches, and the elastic sling can deteriorate over
time.
• For years the author favored a small bow and arrow given to him by a helpful
neighbor. Three modifications must be made to conventional arrows:
44
Remove the pointed tips (to avoid injury to bystanders, and to avoid having
the target tree look like a porcupine).
44
Add mass (weight) to the nose of the arrow; a half-Âdozen framing nails (with
large heads aimed forward) can be held in place around the circumference
of the arrow at its head long enough to be taped with electrical or duct tape.
44
Drill a small hole, large enough to thread fish line through, about an inch or
so back from the tail of the arrow.
Used in conjunction with the spinning reel on a dowel stuck in the ground, this
bow-Âand-Âarrow outfit allowed the author to put fish line in the tops of trees as
tall as 60 ft.
• For greater heights and better accuracy, borrow or purchase a bowfishing rig.
New sets are expensive, but archery shops often have trade-Âins available at a
very modest price. The most important element is the compound bow with a
tapped hole and matching metal post for direct mounting of a spinning reel.
Purchase five or six arrows with removeable points and prepare them as
described here. With this setup, the author has sent appropriately sized fish line
over the tops of 100-Âft trees!
• To get the fish line to drop straight down the back side of the targeted tree
(instead of continuing on beyond the tree some distance), halt the flight of the
arrow just after it passes the top of the tree with a slight turn on the handle of the
fishing reel. With practice, you can get the hang of this.
• Never try to retrieve the arrow by reeling it back in, up through the tree. Instead,
always untie or cut the fish line at the arrow, rewind the empty fish line, and
retie the arrow onto it back at your launch site.
• Wait for a calm day for all of these techniques.
• For the ne plus ultra, consider a potato launcher with tennis balls. Search the
Internet for examples of how enterprising amateurs and others have modified
these powerhouses to lay lines over the tops of the very tallest trees.
• If all else fails, pay a tree-Âclimbing professional to place a “permanent” halyard
mount near the top of your chosen trees.
Caution Always make sure the area around you and well beyond the targeted tree are clear of
humans and animals before launching any projectiles. Even blunt-Âtipped arrows or hex nuts
can cause serious injury!