This has been a trying year which ends with our having to report that Covid got into our household. Antenna Launcher production will be interrupted several weeks while we recover and restart.

Here’s to a better 2021!

Thanks for all your support and patience.

Regards, Alan, w6akb

I hope everyone is doing well. We have a bit of an Antenna Launcher order backlog. We’ve made a list and checked it more than twice, and we are working through it. The Assembled Launcher que is the longest, the kit que is shorter and the parts/accessories que is the shortest.

We are about to start shipping kits with the new 3D printed barrel endcap that we have been using on assembled launchers for some time. It simplifies assembly and service.

The 3D printed parts we make use PLA plastic. This is a renewable bioplastic made from corn or a few other plants. It is biodegradable, but not readily so it won’t biodegrade in use. It will soften and become deformed at about 60C so don’t leave your launcher in really warm conditions or it might be damaged. (PVC also can be damaged but it takes a higher temperature). We do not use 3D parts on the high pressure side of the launcher, those components are all pressure rated. The 3D parts allow us extreme flexibility in design and we can make improvements quickly and inexpensively unlike most other plastic manufacturing techniques. We have a few new designs for launcher accessories in the pipeline.

Last Tuesday the dear wife had a full knee replacement, so my shop time is a bit limited right now, but it gets better each day. I am getting ahead with the 3D printed parts, as well as ordering and other paperwork. It’s just about time to wrap up another year and do the business taxes. This year we won’t have the enjoyment and distraction of Quartzfest in January, unfortunately.

Thanks to all for your patience and hope we all have a better 2021!

Regards, Alan, w6akb

I have updated the Antenna Launcher Instructions with a new version that has many improvements, updates and a few corrections. In particular the assembly procedure for 3D Printed Endcaps has been added which will start shipping in kits soon. These have been shipped on the pre-assembled launchers for some time. They offer easier assembly and better service since the barrel can be removed without removing threaded components from the main pressure chamber.

See the Info tab above for the Launcher Assembly Instructions. Older versions are also available for those who are in the midst of assembly (generally it is not good to change instructions in midstream), or who wish to refer to or use older instructions.

73, Alan, w6akb