GW4ALG: details of his Baloons

[Andre' Kesteloot]

Steve Rawlings wrote:
[...]

> Sunday:
> I was up at 6:00 am (0600 UT) and checked the weather.  It was -6
> degrees C, frosty, and the air was calm.  Good weather for putting up
> balloons!   I quickly inflated two balloons with 'balloon gas' (helium
> and air) to lift the additional 8 m length of wire that is used to
> extend the basic 12 m vertical.  By 7:00 am, the 20 m vertical was tuned
> and ready to work the DX!
>
> In fact, the weather stayed reasonably calm throughout.  So I kept the
> vertical 'flying' all day!  Here is my log for Sunday, all worked with
> 400 W from the pair of 572Bs:
> 07:07   G4WMZ (206 km; sent 579; received 569)
> 07:45   PA0LQ (495 km; sent 339; received 559) - local QRM
> 08:05   G3YMC (141 km; sent 339; received 599) - local QRM
> 08:47   HB9ASB (902 km; sent 559; received 339) - just great to work
> you, Toni!
> 09:00   G3YXM (105 km; sent 599; received 599)
> 09:12   G3XDV (173 km; sent 569; received 57/89)
> 09:45   G4GVC (151 km; sent 599; received 599)
> 10:23   G3KEV (333 km; sent 589; received 589)
> 10:37   PA0SE (484 km; sent 569; received 449) - our first QSO, Dick.
> BCNU!
> 16:34   G3GRO (184 km; sent 589; received 589)
>
> Information for fellow balloon flyers:
> - I use 'Punchball' type balloons, as used at childrens parties.  They
> will inflate to about 500 mm diameter and each cost 50p (0.5 pounds);
> - each 500 mm balloon will cost between two and three pounds to inflate
> with balloon gas;
> - each balloon can be re-used about 3 times;
> - much of the balloon gas leaks out of the 'Punchball' type balloon
> within a couple of days.  I am informed that the helium leaks out faster
> than the other air molecules.  If this is true, there is probably little
> point in 'topping-up' a balloon that has lost a significant proportion
> of the original helium/air mixture;
> - the neck of the balloon may be folded over and held with a tie wrap to
> seal the balloon;
> - I use two 500 mm balloons to lift 8 m of insulated, multi-strand wire;
>
> - you must use at least 300 mm of nylon twine (e.g. thick kite string or
> similar insulating material) between the top of the wire and the
> balloon.  (If you don't, you will will get arcing between the balloon
> and the wire - a 500 mm balloon makes a very big bang when it bursts!!)
> It took me three 'bangs' to figure out why the balloons were bursting;
> - consult 'yellow pages' for details of balloon suppliers (who will also
> be very willing to supply the balloon gas);
> - suppliers of balloon gas will be able to supply a special fitting for
> the gas cylinder to provide an easy and controlled method for filling
> the balloon;
> - balloon gas may be cheaper if purchased from a bottled gas specialist.
>
> Happy ballooning, and good DX!
>
> Regards to all,
> Steve GW4ALG
> steve.rawlings@cableol.co.uk