using a drone to get an antenna up - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: ME
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2025, 03:36:57 am
content: has anyone tried using a drone to get a wire up instead of a antenna launcher etc?.

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2025, 03:45:50 am
content: Yes

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2025, 05:40:53 pm
content: at short waves drones are too noisy, so it can be useful to install the antenna, but using it as a flying antenna leads to a high noise floor.

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2025, 04:29:53 am
content: For a flying antenna, I would use a kite (if there's enough wind) or a helium balloon (alternatively, hydrogen is cheaper to purchase, but flammable)Apart from RF noise, a flying drone antenna simply doesn't have the battery life for long radio operations.

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2025, 02:54:08 pm
content: Quote from: radiolistener on April 27, 2025, 05:40:53 pma hybrid system using balloons and drones would probably work better

author: iMo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2025, 03:26:35 pm
content: I've been using a suitable rock..Quote from: ME on April 27, 2025, 03:36:57 am

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2025, 01:03:59 pm
content: Quote from: iMo on April 28, 2025, 03:26:35 pmin the TRX ok, but using XTAL in the antenna ?!?

author: n0xmz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 06, 2025, 04:22:02 pm
content: My next wire antenna installation will use a drone. Just tie some twine to it, fly it over a tree and land it on the other side. Tie the twine to stronger rope, tie the rope to the antenna, pull it all up and shazam! I used a slingshot for my G5RV Jr. but the next job will be a bit easier with the drone.

author: incf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2025, 12:02:19 am
content: Quote from: n0xmz on May 06, 2025, 04:22:02 pmhow do you prevent the twine from getting caught in the blades while landing?

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2025, 12:06:45 am
content: Quote from: Andy Chee on April 28, 2025, 04:29:53 amif you are pulling up a wire anyway just power it from the ground?

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2025, 06:22:48 am
content: Quote from: langwadt on May 07, 2025, 12:06:45 amI thought of that.The I2R losses require thick copper wire for drone motor power supply. The thick copper wire is heavy, requiring a bigger drone. A bigger drone requires bigger motors. Bigger motors means greater I2R losses, requiring even thicker and heavier wire. The whole thing becomes too heavy.You could avoid I2R losses by sending high voltage, say 500V, then using a step-down converter onboard the drone. Or the drone could fly using 500V brushless motors.

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2025, 09:57:18 am
content: Quote from: Andy Chee on May 07, 2025, 06:22:48 amballoons for the lift, a drone to be able to "pilot" the balloonsI alteady wrote it, it's like an updated version of the ancient "airship" if you think at it for a momenta " Drone Airship" would be even better or "blimp," if you prefer, the engines will only provide propulsion, the gas will ptovide the liftjust in casehttps://www.rc-zeppelin.com/outdoor-rc-blimps-5m.html

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2025, 03:28:49 am
content: Quote from: A.Z. on May 07, 2025, 09:57:18 amMy initial thoughts are that a blimp/dirigible large enough to lift a vertical wire HF antenna payload anchored to the ground, won’t necessarily require any station keeping steering on board.a) there will be no wind, no need for station keeping propellorsb) there is high wind, the surface area of the blimp/dirigible will be too strong for the station keeping propellors.c) there is medium wind, the ground anchor should be heavy enough to keep things in place

author: Teledog
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2025, 03:03:22 am
content: NOTE: This message has been deleted by the forum moderator Simon for being against the forum rules and/or at the discretion of the moderator as being in the best interests of the forum community and the nature of the thread.If you believe this to be in error, please contact the moderator involved.An optional additional explanation is: