Wire Antennas

© Brooke Clarke, N6GCE 2008 - 2010


Camo Net Masts as received
 Components of Camo Net Mast System
as received
 components of one bag
12 Al poles, 6 spreaders, 18 stakes

Background
Description of the Camouflage Screening Support System
Mast Section Description
    AB-1089 Does NOT Fit
    How Used for Camouflage Screen
    Antenna Mast Spike Base, NEW, 1.5 and 1-5/8 OD GRC Ham
Manuals
Wire antenna Use
    Parts Needed
    Idea on Supporting BWD-180
Line Launchers
Other Wire Antennas
Links

Background

This page was started after I received a couple of the Camouflage Netting Mast Kits.  The Intent is to use the aluminum mast sectiions to support a wire antenna.  There are military mast kits, like the GRA-4 or GRA-12 that are much more expensive.  Using theseCamouflage poles may be a lower cost alternative.

Description of the Camouflage Screening Support System

There are a number of versions of the system.  Coloring comes in three flavors: Desert, Woodland and Snow.  Each of these has two sides to the netting that are slightly different for the different seasons of the year.  Also there are radar scattering Type II, III and IV as well as radar transparent screens.  The radar scattering screens are not on the surplus market but the radar transpartet type are available.

Each kit comes in it's own bag.  One of mine is marked:
1080-01-108-1173 (NSN for Woodland/Desert Support system, not just the bag)
Camouflage Screening
Support System
Woodland/Desert
97403/4M703
DAAJ00-88-C-B513
Lot # 054

Contents of the bag:
12 aluminum Poles 44.5" long (excluding the connector)
6 Spreaders
18 Stakes

Mast Section Description

Each mast section is a tube just under 4 feet in overall length.  It's made of two tubes that are swaged toghther.  The outer tube is 1 25/32" O.D. ( 1.785") and is 1 9/16" I.D. (1.5625).
The smaller tube is about 5 7/8" long and is inside the main tube for a little over 1 1/2".  It's O.D. is the same as the I.D. of the main tube and it's I.D. is 1.35".  There are two swage rings that lock these toghther.

AB-1089 Does NOT Fit

The AB-1089/U is a triangular assembly that has three tubes that accept mast sections to be used as the legs of a tripod and a center tube that accepts the mast.  The tripod leg tubes have an I.D. of 1.365" which is also about the I.D. of the cammo netting mast small tube I.D., i.e. the cammo net mast will NOT fit the AB-1089.
AB-1089 drawing AB-1089/U Antenna Mast Tripod Hub

How Used for Camouflage Screen

Intended use is to combine one spreader assembly (one adapter assembly and three pedals) with various numbers of poles (1 to 4 typically) where the pedals support the Camouflage Screen and the stakes are used to hold down the screen.  No guys are used in the system.

Antenna Mast Spike Base, NEW, 1.5 and 1-5/8 OD GRC Ham

The above title is taken from the eBay auction where this was being sold.  The 1.5" OD section of the base fits the mast base.  It's similar to the AB-154/U Spike Base (What is the O.D. of the AB-154?  let me know).  Maybe they made these by turning the AB-154 in a lathe?
Antenna Mast Spike Base, 1.5 and 1-5/8 OD

Manuals

TM 5-1080-200-10-HR Lightweight Camouflage Screen Systems
TM 5-1080-200-13&P Lightweight Camouflage Screen Systems and Support Systems

Wire Antenna Use

When used to support a wire antenna the mast sections would be stacked to get (12 sections * 44.5"/section=) 534" (44.5 feet) if all 12 sections are in one mast.  Note that the poles need to support not only the weight of one end of the wire antenna they also need to support the vertical component of the guy tension and the vertical component of the antenna tension.  The latter value can be quite high if you try to pull the wire very tight to minimize wire sag.   These vertical loads are why the telescoping type masts are said to be used for "Light Weight" wire antennas only. 

Parts Needed

To use these poles for a wire antenna the following additional parts are needed:
Camouflage Mast Accessories
Guy Rings - 2, 3 or 4 rings depending on overall mast height
Quick-Links - between guy rope and Guy Rings
Guy Ropes - enough for all the guys - rule of thumb the distance out from the base should be about 2/3 of the guy ring height or more.  With two or more guy rings on a mast it's common to use only one stake for each azimuth, but it would be stronger to use a separate stake for each guy rope.
pulley and way to attach it to top of upper mast section.

The guy rope shown at left is from The Mast Company is not parachute cord, but rather appears to be the same material used for guys on military mast systems.

Halyard & Pulley - to raise antenna after the mast is in place.  Note:  It's much harder to erect a mast with the weight of the antenna already attached, but can be done with light weight antennas.
Base anchor - one for each mast - needed to keep mast from punching into the ground.  An option is to put something hard below the mast.






Idea on Supporting BWD-180

This is a 185 foot long T2FD type dipole with 3 foot separation between the wires.  Unlike the BWD-90 which can be supported by just the ends this one requires additional support at the center.  I was thinking that means a center mast, but today realized that's not the case.  For example if pulleys are installed at each end and at the center FDMK Mounting Kit the antenna can be pulled over a support line using a second antenna line attached to one end of the antenna.  The support line may for example have one end high up in a tree.  Once the antenna has all three pulleys on the support line, it's other end can be lifted using a second pulley arrangement on one of the camouflage support masts.

This method can also be used to support the center of a dipole by running the center up one of the guy lines of a mast.  The advantages of this are:
By combining the support line idea with multiple masts it should be possible to fold the antenna rather than deploy it in a straight line.  It's not easy to come up with a 200 foot long straight section of clear ground.

Line Launchers - Getting Wire Up  Into Trees

E-Z Hang Slingshot

E-Z Hang SlingshotThis is a stock slingshot that has the fly casting reel added.  It's shown right side up.  You put your hand up through the hole behind the grip.  That way the metal hoop (the foam pad should be moved back to the top of the metal loop) is on top of your arm.  When you pull back the elastic the hoop keeps the grip from rotating backwards.

There is some friction caused by the reel in playing out the mono filament line.  I've read that putting newspapers down in front of the shooting position and playing out a couple hundred feet of line may lower the resistance, but it's a lot of effort to do that and keep from tangling the line.

I used this to get one end of a BWD-90 T2FD up about 90- feet into a pine.  But a couple of years later when the line broke where the tree rubbed aginst it this slingshot was not able to get the line over then now 120 foot tall tree.


CSV17 Tennis Ball Line Launcher

CSV17 Tennis Ball Line LauncherThis is a CSV17 tennis ball launcher based on the potato guns made from PVC pipe fittings.
This set includes an assembled launcher with air pressure gauge and safety valve. A special line reel to allow the line to play out with minimal friction and tennis balls fitted with 90 # test stainless steel loops and weighted for better throw.  Not shown, but included is a short PVC pipe and end fitting to ram the tennis ball into the barrel.

A small air comprerssor is on the way and next spring this should put a line over the tall tree.











Patents

4741243 Line Launcher, Billy G. Snider, May 3, 1988, 89/1.34 ; 102/504 - line contained in round fired from flare pistol, can make second, third, etc. attempts quickly
Calls:
The following all have the line at the launch point, not in the round
229058 Line Throwing Gun, L.W. Spencer, Jun 1880, 89/1.34 ; 89/1.1; 89/19 - line pulled through chamber and barrel
932270 LIFE-SAVING AND SIGNAL ROCKET,  P.H. Goodwin, Aug 1909, 89/1.815 ; 102/336; 102/504; 89/1.34; 89/40.06 -
1322601 LINE-CARRYING PROJECTILE,  Nov 1919, 102/504 ; 89/1.34; 89/37.05 - notch in projectile and hinged link allows line to be brought out front of barrel
1418964 Line Throwing Apparatus, C. Norman (BSA Guns, UK), Jun 6 1922, 102/504 ; 89/1.34; 89/37.05 - cylinder holds line and mounts coaxially with gun barrel
3505926 Line Throwing Device, A.M. Johnson (Scientific Prod Corp), Apr 14 1970, 89/1.34 ; 102/504; 42/105- similar to the hand held dog training duck launchers
Called by:
4077349 Line boy Mar 7, 1978 - permanently boat mounted for throwing lines to dock
4098015 Retriever training gun with pistol type handle Jul 4, 1978
Calls:

w

3004360 Target Projecting Device Utilizing a Can and a Blank Cartridge, A.M. Johnson, Oct 196, 42/105 ; 42/34 -
beer or soda can shooter

3186119 DEVICE FOR PROJECTING AN AERIAL TARGET, Jun 1965 42/105 ; 124/41.1; 42/98; 42/99- magnet holds tin beer can launched from revolver shooting blanks
3415438 DEVICES FOR PREVENTING DROP-FIRE, (United Shoe Machinery), Dec 1968 - safety device for explosive fastener driver
3505926 Apr 1970 <see above>
3534492 FIREARM GRENADE LAUNCHING ATTACHMENT, S.A. Amster (Federal Labs), Oct 20 1970, 42/105 - smoke can type grenade launcher
3623257 RIFLE HAND GRIP DEVICE, Nov 1971 - vertical grip on forend of rifle
3656399 STOCK AND TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR LINE THROWER, O.W. Hill, Apr 1972 89/1.34 ; 42/105; 42/72 - works with line thrower that looks like retriever dog trainer
3672084 REINFORCED PISTOL GRIP, Frank A. Pachmayr (Mershon Co), Jun 1972 - rubber molded over sheet metal stampings
4154013 Device for training retriever dogs May 15, 1979 - pistol type
Calls:
2883781 Combination Stabilzer, Recoil Break, Flash Hider, and Gernate Launcher for a Firearm E.M. Harvey (Army), Apr 1959, 42/105 ; 89/14.3 -
3004360 <see elsewhere>
3176422 ANTI-JAMMING MEANS FOR REVOLVERS, Apr 1965
3186119 <see elsewhere>
3392469 METHOD OF OPERATING A REVOLVER FOR SHOOTING A PROJECTILE ATTACHED ON THE Outside of the Barrel Thereof, U. Dubini,  Jul 1968 -
3505926 <see elsewhere>
3731418 SMALL FIREARMS WITH EXCHANGEABLE Barrel, M. Biekenhagen, May 1973, -
4307529 Remote control bumper launcher for training retrieving dogs Dec 29, 1981
4341030 Hunting dog training device, R.L. Little (Little Launcher), Jul 27, 1982 - replacement barrel for pistol
Calls:
2432539 Gernade Launching Tube and Auxillary Cartridge Therefor, C.R. Olsen, Dec 16 1947, - maybe spigot for M14 Rifle
2883781 <see eleswhere>
3004360 <see elsewhere>
3007271 Device for Throwing Gernades by means of Firearms, E.W. Brandt, Nov 1961, - to work with rifles fitted with flash suppressors
3176422 <see elsewhere>
3186119 <see elsewhere>
3243909 Gernade Launcher, N. Kotikov, Apr 1966, - for use with cylinder bored shotguns (riot guns)
3392469 <see elsewhere>
3415438 <see elsewhere>
3496580 INFLATABLE AND RECOVERABLE LIFESAVING PROJECTILE APPARATUS,
3505926 <see elsewhere>
3534492 <see elsewhere>
3618244  METHOD FOR FIRING PROJECTILES UNDERWATER, - spear gun
3623257 <see elsewhere>
3656399 <see elsewhere>
3672084 <see elsewhere>
3713394 SMOKE SIGNAL DEVICE, (Navy) 102/334 ; 42/105 - fits over revolver barrel
3717946 DEVICE FOR SHOOTING A PROJECTILE, - fits revolver and works with ball ammunition instead of blanks
3731418 <see elsewhere>
3981225 Launcher arrangement for rocket powered round
4098015 Retriever training gun with pistol type handle
4154013 Device for training retriever dogs
D290731 Buoy marker launcher, Albert E. Canady Jul 7, 1987
Calls:
4263835 Sonobuoy launcher system (Navy) Apr 28, 1981- A pneumatic restraint and ejection system
4279025 Releasable airborne buoy Jul 14, 1981
4718320 Towed decoy system Jan 12, 1988
4741243 <see first patent>
4784035 Remotely actuated tow line throwing device Nov 15, 1988
4799906 Rescue apparatus Jan 24, 1989 - rifle custom made firing blanks, spool on gun
4852455 Decoy system Aug 1, 1989 - spool in projectile with axis coaxial with centerline
4912869 Net gun Apr 3, 1990 - four barreled rifle
5460155 Behavior deterrence and crowd management Oct 24, 1995 - very similar to the retriver launcher, but can have taser wires spooled from projectile
5592770 Shotgun mounted launching device and launching projectile Jan 14, 1997 - spogot attatches to choke threads on shotgun for retriver dog training
5811713 Apparatus for launching projectiles Sep 22, 1998 - spogot attatches to choke threads on shotgun
5915694 Decoy utilizing infrared special material Jun 29, 1999
6116606 High speed glide target Sep 12, 2000
6244261 Line installation tool Jun 12, 2001 - pneumatic rifle type launcher
6499407 Packaging method for infrared special material Dec 31, 2002
6510798 Packaging method for infrared special material Jan 28, 2003
6571714 Silicon window infrared augmenter Jun 3, 2003
6634299 Gas generator Oct 21, 2003 (TRW) - for air bag
3583087 LINE THROWING GUN AND CARTRIDGE, Jun 1971 - sub-caliber adapter for shotgun
1072968 Means for Carrying Life Lines, Sep 1913 - cannon for throwing life lines on ship
1072969 Means for Carrying Life Lines, Sep 1913 -cannon for throwing life lines on ship - line in projectile
2373364 Bolas Projectile, Apr 1945 - type of anti aircraft shell that has spreading wires
3780662 RADAR REFLECTOR DEPLOYMENT METHOD, Dec 1973 - rocket unspools long metalized glass fiber
3863380 ILLUMINATED FISHING LURE WITH LINE ATTACHMENT, Feb 1975
3918190 METHOD FOR ILLUMINATING ORGANIC Nov 1975
4326657 Optical fiber dispenser Apr 27, 1982
4649660 Fishing float assembly Mar 17, 1987
4653379 Filament deployment means Mar 31, 1987
4656945 Helicopter destruction system employing cables Apr 14, 1987

Other Wire Antennas

AS-2259 - NVIS antenna
AT-984/G - Reel of wire intended for VHF half Rombic antenna
B&W Broadband Folded Dipole Antennas - T2FD type
SORAK - Kit that makes a number of antennas
GRA-4 - Two mast kit, no antenna
GRA-12 - Three mast kit, no antenna
GRA-50 - Variable Dipole Kit with no masts

Links

Coleman's Surplus - where I got these titled:  "Support System for Camo Netting" and got the Aluminum poles, not the fiberglass ones
The Mast Company - sells the poles and they have made some accessories like guy rings

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