We do Antenna Launching presentations at local clubs and hamfests and on occasion travel to not-so-close places and do a presentation. See the Appearances page for the existing schedule. The presentation is usually a powerpoint slide show and short launching video with some launcher hardware show-and-tell, though the amount of hardware we can bring depends on the transportation mode and distance. If the setting permits we can do real launching. If a computer projector is not available or is inappropriate (such as at Quartzsite) we do a more show-and-tell type presentation. We do have our own computer projector, or an 1024×768 or 800×600 projector and screen are required (if appropriate). We bring our own laptop. The presentation is changed nearly every time it is given, but it basically covers:
- What are the performance of different Antenna Launching Systems
- Why Pneumatic Launchers are better for Antenna Launching
- The Safety aspects of different launching systems
- What is a Pneumatic Launcher – how does it work
- Examples of many different launcher designs
- A little of the recent development history of Antenna Launchers
- Information on how to build your own launchers
- Accessories such as Reels and Line
- Antenna techhiques such as launching HF Beam antennas
- Quick to deploy single-launch antennas
- Sources of further information
- Sources of free plans, commercial kits and pre-built launchers
We do make and sell kits and built launchers, but unless requested we don’t usually sell them at presentations, or even bring any for-sale product. This is not a sales pitch type presentation, it is informational in nature, and people can homebrew launchers from free plans on the internet that we and others have published. Some will find the kits easier than collecting the parts and the kits have some machining that improve the results over the off-the-shelf parts designs.