Getting rope or string over a tree.

[k0ua]

I bought this pneumatic launcher kit a few days go at local hamfest. As an amateur radio operator, we are always wanting to get a string over a tree to pull up wire antennas, but some of you may also have some other application to get a rope over an obstacle of some kind. Let me tell you this thing really works. Sure you could build one yourself, but as the Club that was selling these stated their release valve is much easier to turn than the ones I saw in home depot.

I put 30 lbs of air into it and it shot the pvc "bullet?" over a 60 foot tree and over another and landed about 80 feet downrange while trailing the fishing line from the reel. I think you could fairly easily get a line over a 100 foot tall obstacle.

As per their recommendation I did not glue the barrel into the valve as this makes it easy to store back in the box it came in. to utilize, you close the valve, and charge with 15 to 30 lbs of air thru the schrader valve. Then clip on the projectile with the supplied fishing swivel, and insert it butt first down the tube. Don't look down the tube. :shocked: It is best to load it outside, as this thing is no toy. Point the barrel at the desired spot and open the valve rapidly. This is much like and almost as much fun as firing an RPG (I think ) Anyway the "rocket" comes out of the launcher tube with some authority and a satisfying sound. Remove the rocket on the other end and clip on your string/rope and haul it in with the reel.

Here is their website if you are interested. I got mine at "hamfest prices" cash and carry as it were.

Antenna Launchers | Joplin Amateur Radio Club

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[PJSprog]

Sooo ... it's a potato gun.

 

[teg]

Sooo ... it's a potato gun.

...but without the explosive "fun" part.

 

[mddorange]

James, thanks for the link. Years ago when I was more into it, I had an used one but it was very different and hard to use.

 

[k0ua]

Sooo ... it's a potato gun.

More or less, but just air powered. But if you put some weight inside the "rocket" and charged to to say 90 lbs.. It might kill from blunt force trauma at close range. I sure wouldn't want to get hit with it. The empty PVC rockets move pretty fast at 30 lbs of pressure.

 

[k0ua]

James, thanks for the link. Years ago when I was more into it, I had an used one but it was very different and hard to use.

This one works pretty slick. The secret is getting a good easy to turn all at once valve. I don't know where they are getting their valves, but the guy said they mail order them and most of them are fairly easy to turn. He said they send back the few that aren't. The one I tried yesterday at Home depot was considerably harder to turn.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Can it put some kind of common "sports" ball through a crt?

For fishing cables long distances in drop ceilings we used to use a combination slingshot/fishing reel contraption.

 

[k0ua]

Can it put some kind of common "sports" ball through a crt?

For fishing cables long distances in drop ceilings we used to use a combination slingshot/fishing reel contraption.

On the eham website review section one reviewer said it would fit a sub standard sized tennis ball they sell in pet stores for small dogs. That might be safer to shoot in a drop ceiling. What you need is an air pig on the floor with a regulator on it to keep the fill pressure low. So you could fill for multiple shots while on the ladder.

 

[M5farms]

ive done it with a fishing arrow and my bow. I have also done it in a dropped ceiling with a bow . it works pretty slick especially if you want accuracy

 

[kenmac]

ive done it with a fishing arrow and my bow. I have also done it in a dropped ceiling with a bow . it works pretty slick especially if you want accuracy

yep, use my son's bow with arrow. Puts the string right over the limb , etc,.