Don Prater wrote:
> Chuck,
> I read your post with much interest. I have been interested for some time
> in putting up a balloon antenna for 160 meters. My first question is what
> is the physical configuration of the balloons that Fair Radio sells? What
> is the leak rate? How much do they cost? What is the availability? What
> does it cost to rent a cyclinder of gas? How large a balloon is it? Can you
> reuse it? How much weight will it support? What size and type of wire did
> you use?
The balloon is shaped like a manta ray. Fair radio Sales has a web page. You
need to refill it each day, although it will only lose about 25% of its
helium. They are $25 each. I rented a 80 cu ft cylinder of helium for $15.99
plus a $150 deposit. It filled the balloon and recharged it the next dat and
still had about 30-40% of the helium left. The balloon is about 5-6 feet
across and about 3 feet thick. You can reuse it if you dont snag it on a tree
or something. Mine is reusable. I used about #22 insulated wire.
Careful filling it. The gas comes out of the nozzle so rapidly you will blow
holes in the balloon if it is aimed directly at it.
Chuck, KZ5MM
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