[Elecraft] Trees eating wire

[Tom Boucher]

Wayne's problem with a tree eating his wire reminds me of an incident some
years ago when I was attempting to get an antenna halyard over a tall oak
tree. I used some braided nylon cord with a probable breaking strain of
several hundred pounds, which was attached to a drilled golf ball.

My catapult put the ball and cord over a branch somewhat lower than
intended so I attempted to pull it back. Of course the inevitable happened
and the ball wound itself around the branch. No matter how hard I pulled
the cord it wouldn't come. So I wound the cord around a piece of wood and
with my heels dug into the ground, gave it my full body weight plus some.

Finally it released itself and the golf ball shot towards me hitting me in
the right foot and breaking several bones. I had literally shot myself in
the foot! I'm just thankful it wasn't 2 or 3 feet up otherwise my voice
would now be an octave or so higher.

Heard the guys sniggering behind the curtain in the hospital A&E department
after I told them I had shot myself with a golf ball. XYL not at all
impressed at having to drive me to the salt mine for 6 weeks.

Lead weights used by anglers could be even more lethal.

Needless to say I don't use that method any more and now use a compressed
air device with weighted tennis balls which works a treat!

73,
Tom G3OLB