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Am still trying to clean up the mess from my move, and finally came
across the weather balloons I have been using for the past 30 years or
so. ( not the originals, BTW )
For those of you in the Metro Atlanta area, I bought these from Hodges
Army/Navy Surplus on 41 about a rock throw below the Big Chicken.
I noticed also that these balloons are marked "made in Japan exclusively
for Safesport Mfg. Co., Denver, Colorado." These are 6 footers marked
No. B239. Might be interesting for one of you guys in Denver to check it
out.
Incidentally, I inflate them to about 4', use #18 for the 1/2 wave
vertical ( the first 70' is #12 tied to a line between 2 large pines.
Keeps some of the lifting weight off the 250' or so of wire
needed. Feed system is a parallel LC with the coil tapped about 8 or so
turns up from the
bottom.
Have never had to add helium during weekend. Incidentally, Helium can
"leak" through the
hardest steel know to man, of whatever thickness. ( course, it takes a
little longer )
FYI ( and kudos to all of you on Topband---still have to get an antenna
up-- but this is about
the most informative and "nice" reflector I've seen.
73
Ed
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