Greetings to All ! Thank you to everyone who has responded to my original note.
Looks like I will have to do my own search for the balloons as no one included a source for them BUT did include lots of great user info. Again, thanks. As in my past, I will be generating the H2 gas where chillers are used to control the rate of gas generation (minimizes H2O vapor condensing inside the balloon). A medium sized party balloon supported my first attempt at a L/2 160-meter vertical that used thin wire (maybe #28). In still air it was nearly vertical above me but in the wind it would approach 45-degree angles to the horizon. All worked well and I was able to work many East coast QSO's (70-W) until it started raining. The added weight of water on the balloon brought it to the ground. Some will say the losses using such small wire are excessive - probably true - but while it was operational, it performed better than any antenna I could hide at my HOA antenna restricted QTH. Again, my thank you to everyone who responded. 73 Dick - w7wkr at CN97uj _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
