Interesting use for a drone...Ham Radio.

[AMann]

The WSPR transmitter only puts out 200 MW.....so it’s probably ok. Not sure about the 100 watts. Maybe go QRP to start on HF.

Yeah, I thought you were joking . My transmitter is pretty cool, it’s tiny and amazing that there’s GPS and a thermometer and barometric altimeter built in. Wouldn’t take a very large pico balloon to carry it, but I guess it’s not tomahawk missile proof though like what happened to K9YO-15 in Canada…

If I do it, I guess I could make the balloon less threatening, do you think they would shoot down a Mickey Mouse balloon?

 

[AP3]

I will do that. I built a pneumatic launcher. And it worked. Just had issues with the line feeding properly. I finally figure out that laying the line out on the ground between me and the tree worked well. At which point I said hmmm I can pull that up with my drone. VOILA!

Look at the antennalaunchers.com design. That should give you a good idea how to deploy the line. It works very well. Also, use Spyder fishing line. Very light and strong.

 

[paulhackerllc]

Back then, that's me mobile in my truck.
View attachment 183822

Is that an orange headliner? If so, that’s so ‘70’s. I had an fury orange dash in a 1976 TransAm.

 

[SirMichael]

Bill,

You might want to write up a small article and submit it to QST Magazine, perhaps in their “Hints and Kinks” section. It is very clever and simple to use!

I have a Mini 4Pro and I may play around with that concept, I think it would work very well. I can see making a small wire frame attached to the front struts with a wire out the front.

73,
Sir Michael

 

[Hauptmann]

Bill,

You might want to write up a small article and submit it to QST Magazine, perhaps in their “Hints and Kinks” section. It is very clever and simple to use!

I have a Mini 4Pro and I may play around with that concept, I think it would work very well. I can see making a small wire frame attached to the front struts with a wire out the front.

73,
Sir Michael

Very good idea, Sir Michael. I vaguely remember QST from the early '50's, and Hints and Kinks. The joining of two great hobbies. How cool is that? Just think of a Ham on vacation with his rig in the mountains somewhere being able to string a 20 meter antenna between two trees. 73 to you!

 

[PINEBARON]

Is that an orange headliner? If so, that’s so ‘70’s. I had an fury orange dash in a 1976 TransAm.

Thats burgundy velvet cloth, I had that truck hand built in 1980 on a Nissan Jonga chassis.

 

[Cafguy]

There are times when I hate to be that person now I will probably hear a bunch of static from some other members lol(sorry)Go easy on me I just left the hospital. BUT
Please note that there are regulations that limit the length of wire you can lift with a drone. You should study the wildlife regulations in your area. Wire that contains metal……Cannot be strung with a drone without permits.. it is a huge safety hazard you must also posses a part 107 cert. to do it legally ( you are providing a service)
The reason those little candy droppers are unlawful in California is because of the length of string that is provided with them.
Sorry……………..another Army Vet.

 

[GadgetGuy]

There are times when I hate to be that person now I will probably hear a bunch of static from some other members lol(sorry)Go easy on me I just left the hospital. BUT
Please note that there are regulations that limit the length of wire you can lift with a drone. You should study the wildlife regulations in your area. Wire that contains metal……Cannot be strung with a drone without permits.. it is a huge safety hazard you must also posses a part 107 cert. to do it legally ( you are providing a service)
The reason those little candy droppers are unlawful in California is because of the length of string that is provided with them.
Sorry……………..another Army Vet.

Got a citation to that effect?

AI search states, "Drone regulations, specifically under FAA Part 107, don't explicitly specify a maximum length for a wire that can be lifted with a drone."

 

[Cafguy]

In terms of "running" of string in nature and avoiding harm, the length of the string plays a role, especially if the string is not biodegradable
.

Why string length matters

• Entanglement: Long strands of non-biodegradable string, such as synthetic baler twine or fishing line, can pose a significant entanglement hazard to wildlife. Animals can become caught, leading to injuries, strangulation, and even death, according to NOAA's Marine Debris Program. A study in Portugal found high entanglement rates of stork chicks in plastic baler twine in their nests, highlighting the dangers of long, non-biodegradable string in wildlife habitats.
• Ingestion: While less directly related to length, longer pieces of string (especially if mistaken for food) could potentially cause digestive issues if ingested by animals.

Choosing biodegradable options

• Minimizing harm: When using string for outdoor activities, especially in gardening or other situations where it might be left in nature, choosing biodegradable options like jute, hemp, or cotton twine is important. These materials break down naturally over time, reducing the risk of long-term environmental impact and harm to wildlife.
• Composting: Biodegradable string can often be composted at the end of its useful life, further minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Safe practices

• Minimize use: If using non-biodegradable string, minimize its use and ensure it's removed and disposed of properly after use.
• Cut into short pieces: If you cannot avoid using non-biodegradable string, cut it into very short pieces before discarding it, to reduce the risk of entanglement.

While there isn't a specific "maximum safe length" that applies universally, the general principle is that the shorter the non-biodegradable string left in nature, the lower the risk of harm to wildlife. Choosing biodegradable alternatives and practicing responsible disposal are the most effective ways to minimize the impact of string on natural environments.
For guidance check your local disposal laws OR check your local wildlife regulations for "laying" or disposing of wire or string around animals.

 

[GadgetGuy]

In terms of "running" of string in nature and avoiding harm, the length of the string plays a role, especially if the string is not biodegradable
.

Why string length matters

• Entanglement: Long strands of non-biodegradable string, such as synthetic baler twine or fishing line, can pose a significant entanglement hazard to wildlife. Animals can become caught, leading to injuries, strangulation, and even death, according to NOAA's Marine Debris Program. A study in Portugal found high entanglement rates of stork chicks in plastic baler twine in their nests, highlighting the dangers of long, non-biodegradable string in wildlife habitats.
• Ingestion: While less directly related to length, longer pieces of string (especially if mistaken for food) could potentially cause digestive issues if ingested by animals.

Choosing biodegradable options

• Minimizing harm: When using string for outdoor activities, especially in gardening or other situations where it might be left in nature, choosing biodegradable options like jute, hemp, or cotton twine is important. These materials break down naturally over time, reducing the risk of long-term environmental impact and harm to wildlife.
• Composting: Biodegradable string can often be composted at the end of its useful life, further minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Safe practices

• Minimize use: If using non-biodegradable string, minimize its use and ensure it's removed and disposed of properly after use.
• Cut into short pieces: If you cannot avoid using non-biodegradable string, cut it into very short pieces before discarding it, to reduce the risk of entanglement.

While there isn't a specific "maximum safe length" that applies universally, the general principle is that the shorter the non-biodegradable string left in nature, the lower the risk of harm to wildlife. Choosing biodegradable alternatives and practicing responsible disposal are the most effective ways to minimize the impact of string on natural environments.
For guidance check your local disposal laws OR check your local wildlife regulations for "laying" or disposing of wire or string around animals.

So, to be clear, despite your original implication, there are no FAA "regulations that limit the length of wire you can lift with a drone."

Also, that the lifting is being done "with a drone" is completely irrelevant to your non-biodegradable string concerns.

It is wildlife regulations that you are addressing, not drone regulations, or ham radio antenna regulations.

Any authority for, "Cannot be strung with a drone without permits? "

 

[Cafguy]

I never said they were FAA regulations. sorry if that was not clear. As far as stringing metallic wire, look into OSHA regulations for construction workers,and your local fish and wildlife rules. Also Metallic wire is considered a hazardous waste by the E.P.A. .

 

[Army Vet]

There are times when I hate to be that person now I will probably hear a bunch of static from some other members lol(sorry)Go easy on me I just left the hospital. BUT
Please note that there are regulations that limit the length of wire you can lift with a drone. You should study the wildlife regulations in your area. Wire that contains metal……Cannot be strung with a drone without permits.. it is a huge safety hazard you must also posses a part 107 cert. to do it legally ( you are providing a service)
The reason those little candy droppers are unlawful in California is because of the length of string that is provided with them.
Sorry……………..another Army Vet.

Thank you for the information.

But, I don't "string" wire with my drone. I pull string up over the tree to use as a pull cord to pull up the wire. The wire would end up being way to heavy to pull up.

As to part 107. I have no idea. I don't charge my Ham buddies. How does that play out?
Bill

 

[Cafguy]

Weather you do it for free does not matter... You must be licensed to fly commercially to do it. That is why they call it "providing a service".. even at no charge it is unlawful for a recreational pilot to do anything other than fly for themselves. NOTE if you pull this wire for yourself you are providing a service to yourself and that can get tricky. That is why I think its a great idea to get a 107 if you plan to be flying for years. It just makes things so much better.
Metallic wire requires noting and mapping of all locations. This map must be submitted to your county or enviromental office. I would call and ask THEM. if you just go out and lay your wire YOU ARE LITTERING and as wire can be a hazardous waste its not normal littering and can incure lots of differant fines.
I don't like to be the guy but I hope I am simply saving someone from a Surprise fine.......Thanks for your response.

 

[Army Vet]

Weather you do it for free does not matter... You must be licensed to fly commercially to do it. That is why they call it "providing a service".. even at no charge it is unlawful for a recreational pilot to do anything other than fly for themselves. NOTE if you pull this wire for yourself you are providing a service to yourself and that can get tricky. That is why I think its a great idea to get a 107 if you plan to be flying for years. It just makes things so much better.
Metallic wire requires noting and mapping of all locations. This map must be submitted to your county or enviromental office. I would call and ask THEM. if you just go out and lay your wire YOU ARE LITTERING and as wire can be a hazardous waste its not normal littering and can incure lots of differant fines.
I don't like to be the guy but I hope I am simply saving someone from a Surprise fine.......Thanks for your response.

Thanks again for the info. "providing a service" would cover it I guess. I will delve into the definition some more.

As to "laying wire" It is on my own property in pursuit of AMATUER RADIO in order to construct antennas. In which I have an FCC license. Not hardly littering. The antennas are in constant use. I have one that is 270 feet long between a 65 foot tree and my Radio Room Shed Building. Also, the string does not stay up in the trees. It gets pulled down as it is used as pull cord for the wire. There is a 5/16 Dacron rope that remains in the tree as long as my antenna stays there. If I decide to stop using that antenna. it all comes down.

Also, I live in SC. Where laws are more common sense.

Yanking and Banking....
Bill