We had a great Field Day. One fun part was launcher use and testing. We put up a half dozen antennas high in the trees with pneumatic launchers. Now we are back and ordering parts for the next run of launchers. We are again having problems locating barrel material. If we cannot find it we may have to substitute the thicker schedule 40 material which works fine but makes the ball a bit tighter in the barrel. Found Some!
We had some time to test launchers after Field Day was done. Here is a new prototype PV17 Piston Valve launcher that performs like the larger CSV19 but fits into the small PADS case:
Photo by Dave Bermann W6PS
The new assembly instructions are making significant progress. Many photos have been added, and there will be more in the coming days. The instructions are linked through the launcher manual pages or here:
New Launcher Assembly Manual
The first pre-assembled threaded CSV19 was completed, tested and shipped yesterday. The testing went well. At 40 psi it launched a ball towing line over 110 feet high, and that’s only at half pressure!
The first of the threaded launcher kits has shipped. The instructions are nearing completion and will be put up on the web this weekend. The pre-assembled CSV19 threaded will also be ready for testing this weekend.
We had a great time at Radiofest. We spoke with a lot of great folks. There was a lot of interest in the first Threaded CSV17. It came home with us, so it will shortly be shipped to a recent customer. More are on the workbench now in various stages of construction. The new instructions are nearly finished for kit versions of the threaded design. All purchased models will be threaded now, the last few non-threaded kits will go out shortly for earlier orders.
The new threaded launchers are easier to assemble and maintain. The instructions are simplified so more people will be able to construct kits. The new kits will have fewer PVC cement joints, and no epoxy is required. If a launcher gets broken it is easier to repair the threaded components.
