In the UK the maximum height I can fly a kite is 60m. I use 50m of wire connected to a 60m flight line 10m from the kite. I have had some great results by the seashore with a ground spike near the sea and inland using the top wire of a barbed wire fence as a counterpoise. I have an auto ATU with a static bleed resistor modification, a manual T-match also modified with bleed resistors. Most recently I have found that a 500pF series variable capacitor is all that is needed to bring the antenna wire to resonance between top band and 40m. Kite antennas are great fun and hugely rewarding when the wind conditions are right. I use a homebrew Conyne in higher speed wind conditions and a 3m parafoil for wind speeds from 5 mph (8 kph) to 15 mph (24 kph) Thank you for sharing your video. It has given me some ideas for my motorhome. de G0RKF
Amazing! You have given me some playful ideas! Living in an apartment I am forced to operate portable in the field and the use of kites is definitely something I want to explore now.
Fantastic experiments. Congratulations. I had to sell my motorhome 2 years ago. Meybe if I get new one I will try such experiments at the sea side. 73 Marcin SP5IOU
Very nice set up! I also play kite antenna portable here in Shetland. You'll perhaps see one of my kites flying over your qth in a brisk north westerly wind! 73 MM0VIK
Awesome video. I have a medium size lifting kite and have been wanting to try this out. Do you use bleed resistors to bleed off static from the antenna? If so, could you show that in another video? Thanks!
Yes, I have always connected a ground plane. The length of the antenna determines how big it should be. 1/4 requires a very large ground plane. 1/2 requires just a little. The 5/8 that I use requires only 4-8 wires in 10 meters.
Yes, I think it's important. I use an ICOM antenna tuner. The antenna is grounded via a resistor inside the tuner. Otherwise you have to do it externally with a choke or resistor. .
