CQ CQ – This is WT4Y

Spud Launcher

Desiring a wire antenna a bit longer than my present 50 foot specimen, I started searching for an easy to build spud gun that would enable me to run wires through and over the tallest of trees. My slingshot and fishing weights have served me well, but success rates were small and maximum height was limited to maybe 50 feet.

Spud Payload

The design was delivered to my mailbox in the March 2009 issue of QST, page 67. W4SSY’s design is based on others I have seen, but his simplified version is just what I was looking for. I already owned most of the parts in my scrap bin, so monetary outlay was minimal. I only had to purchase the water valve and a few PVC fittings. Finding the necessary parts to allow me to connect my Schrader valve and pressure gauge proved to be frustrating, so I used my metal lathe to modify some brass and PVC fittings.

I modified Byron’s design somewhat, driven by my philosophy that bigger is better. Instead of a 12 inch piece of 3 inch pipe, I use a 19 inch piece. My barrel is 36 inches long vs. his 24 inch one. I was concerned that his PVC projectile would be a little light, so I added a small lead fishing weight, bringing my total projectile weight to 3 ounces.

Spud Projectile

 The water valve I selected (Orbit Model # 57101) has a wonderful feature that allows it to be turned on by flipping a small lever 90 degrees. This fortuitous feature means you don’t need a source of power or the extra wiring required to energize the valve. Unfortunately, the solenoid must still be mounted, but that’s a small price to pay.

The Trigger

The first time I fired this beauty up, I decided to start with a pressure of only 20 psi. Since the QST article mentioned an operating pressure of around 35 psi, I figured 20 psi would be a safe starting point. I pointed the barrel up in the air at a slight angle and flipped the lever. With a muted “whummmmmp” the projectile left the barrel and almost disappeared from view. What a glorious sight.

A few minutes later my wife came home from work. Eager to demonstrate my new toy, I pumped up the tank to 20 psi and dropped the projectile down the barrel. Since I didn’t want to chase down the projectile like last time, I aimed the barrel pretty much straight up. That’s when I had my “hold muh beer and watch this” moment. My wife squealed with joy and I dropped my jaw and we both realized, when it was far too late, that pointing this thing straight up was not such a good idea. We both lost sight of the now lethal PVC bomb and scrambled for cover. We may have escaped certain injury or death by mere inches, but the second demonstration launch was as successful as the first.

Please reference the QST article for construction details.

SG-239 Antenna Tuner

Antenna Lizard

My current setup is just a TS-440S into a SG-239 antenna tuner hooked to a random piece of wire strung out over a swamp behind my back yard. I recently had the great idea to wade out into the swamp to inspect my antenna, but stopped short when I saw a critter that was at least 5 feet long and 8 inches in diameter slithering through the water. The creature was either a small alligator or a big ass water moccasin. Whatever it was, I decided to inspect the antenna some other time. Even though the setup is rather modest, I’ve managed to work over 100 countries and confirm all 50 states. The photo on the left is my SGC SG-239 Smartuner protected from the weather by an ammo can. On top of the ammo can is one of the local friendly lizards which populate the area.

Stealth Cushcraft R7

Stealth R7

Update: Recently I took an old (1991) Cushcraft R7 Vertical down from the attic and decided to try and deploy it next to the swamp while avoiding detection by the neighbors. I took everything apart and using sandpaper, steel wool, a wire brush on a grinder and a dremel tool, I cleaned every square inch. I put the antenna back together using corrosion inhibitor for aluminum. I cleaned the exposed surfaces first with mineral spirits, then alcohol and finally vinegar. After the vinegar I wiped it down with a clean rag and sprayed all the bright surfaces with a flat black paint. When the neighbors weren’t looking, I took it into the swamp and mounted it on a 4×4 post with a piece of 1 1/2 inch electrical conduit. The flat black paint did the trick because this thing is absolutely invisible to the neighbors. Click on the first Stealth R7 photo and see if you can spot the antenna then click on the second photo for a little help.

The 50 foot piece of 12 gauge wire coming out of the antenna tuner greatly outperforms the vertical. I earned my Triple Play Award using only the “long” wire. Go figure.