Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 18:54:18 -0500 (EST) From: KWIDELITZ@delphi.com
Subject: 160 Meter Balloon Vertical
To: neader@centuryinter.net
Mime-Version: 1.0

A 160 Meter balloon vertical is the answer to the question of how to put up an effective 160 Meter antenna on a city lot. 

I purchased a quarter wavelength 160 Meter balloon vertical kit from: 

Ronald L Chudy, WA7UQV
3324 N 7th
Tacoma, WA 98406

It cost $40. The kit consists of a 4' fairly heavy duty long necked balloon, a "driven element" wire with a swivel, 4 120' radials, fishing line, electrical tape and some cord.

My balloon was launched from a second story patio at the front of my house. I ran the radials over and around my house and garage, my neighbors' house and garage, and to some trees on the sidewalk curtilege. The radials were elevated from 25' to 10'. I soldered the "driven element" directly to the center of an SO-239 connector. I terminated the radials to lugs and attached them to the SO-239 via a small nut and bolt. 

A small canister of helium was acquired from a local balloon shop for about $26. Inflating the balloon was easy and fun. The "driven element" is tied to the balloon via some cord, which is then wrapped with electrical tape. A run of fishing line is also attached to the "driven element's" swivel. It is a good thing I used the fishing line as the "driven element" broke of the SO-239 twice, once because I failed to attach a strain relief cord and the second time because I didn't do a good solder job after the first break. The fishing line also keeps the balloon from drifting into my yagis and power lines behind the house.

The antenna tuned up to a 1:1 SWR at 1830 khz with no adjustments. The SWR was about 1.7:1 at 1800 khz.

In a preliminary test in the '96 CW NAQP, a few stations said I was the only 6 they heard. Unfortunately, band conditions were noisy and I worked very few east coast stations. In comparison to a shortened sloper at a 45 degree angle off my tower at 70', the balloon vertical was 3 to 4 S units better on received signals. I didn't get any comparisons on transmit. 

73. Ken, AB6FO, KWIDELITZ@DELPHI.COM