Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 15:24:58 -0500
From: "Howard Aspinall" <100646.144@compuserve.com>
Subject: LF: Balloon flying
To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
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Greeting

I have used balloon borne aerials on 160m in the past, and anyone
contemplating doing so is advised to consult with the Civil Aviation
Authority first. There were, and probably still are rules regarding the use
of tethered balloons over a specific height. I can't remember what that
height was, but if it is exceeded the rules have to be observed, and
include things like providing lights and notifying the CAA.

No doubt also it goes without saying that one can easily get a very high
static build up on large verticals which are not electrically connected to
a good earth, so steps are needed to protect the equipment, and operators
from these.

On a more light hearted note, on one instance in the past when a group of
us was out portable with a 160m half wave vertical supported by a met
balloon filled with helium, we observed a number of local officers of the
law converging on our site very warily. It transpired a local farmer had
reported seeing a UFO (the balloon), and the officers concerned were
worried about walking into a strange encounter and being "beamed up". All
ended well, but there could be some merit in keeping the local constabulary
informed of such experiments.

73..Howard/G3RXH