We made our last pre Field Day shipment a few days ago, and are now fully involved in packing for the Annual trip. Hope to hear from you on the Radio next weekend!

During this period email responses will be slow, we will return after Field Day and re-engage.

Order processing will resume after 27 June. Thanks for your patience!

We were recently advised by Saunders, the manufacturer of the Archery Fishing Zip Reel we used in our Zip Reel product that the product was no longer in production. Recently we received our last batch of them. Orders placed after about April 9th, 2017 will be changed to Mini Coaxial Reels or Super Kits as the customer chooses. The Mini Coaxial reel is very effective and slightly smaller, and was developed to conveniently fit into the 18″ tool cases that make a 17″ launcher easy to pack and carry to field. It will also work on the 19″ launcher of course.

Updating the online pages and catalog will take some time, so the Zip Reels will show there for awhile.

I see on facebook today that a Ham Radio site is publicizing a dangerous antenna launcher, and there are many designs and products available like this. It is important to understand what the safety issues are when you are choosing, building and using an antenna launcher.

Dangerous Launchers often use Non-Pressure-Rated PVC components. These are PVC parts that are not rated for pressure service. They are designed for drain system usage, and are not designed or tested for pressure use. A common example is a 3″ to 1 1/2″ reducer coupling, or endcaps that are flat rather than domed. Pressure rated fittings are much thicker, heavier and have much longer gluing surfaces. Make sure any launcher you pressurize is constructed from 100% pressure rated components! (Our PVC components are pressure rated for a minimum 130 psi operating pressure, and minimum burst pressures of 700 psi. Most models have pressure safety valves.)

Dangerous Launchers often use threaded holes drilled in single thickness PVC material. We have seen launchers fail catastrophically from a crack radiating out from a hole drilled in the curved portion of an endcap. Never use a hole in PVC that is a single thickness, it should be backed up with another layer of PVC to protect against cracks causing material failures. In our launchers the holes in the thick schedule 40 PVC are either in double thick areas, or are backed up by another PVC layer to protect against failure.

Dangerous Launchers often use hard projectiles, such as PVC plastic or lead. These projectiles can do a great deal of damage to whatever they strike. This dangerous even in remote areas because they can bounce back or deflect in unexpected directions and damage equipment, vehicles or even cause injury. Soft projectiles such as tennis balls can get the job done without such risks.

Launch Safe!