I've been doing this on Field Day for a long time.

First off, I use about 6-8 pound test line. It's heavy enough to pull a
nylon cord back over the tree, but light enough so it comes off smoothly
and so I can get plenty of line on a reel.

Second, I use teardrop-shaped fishing weights (narrow at the line end),
never round or pyramid. The latter types snag too readily if you have to
pull the weight back up. Try dragging the weight across a weedy back
yard if you need an illustration.

As for the weight itself -- over the years I slowly increased the weight
to as much as 3 ounces, so it would drop freely through fairly dense
pine and fir trees. But I had an increasing amount of trouble with the
weight coming out of the pouch during the shot, leading to very short
shots and even occasionally a cut elastic unless everything was just
right. Dropping back with the weight cured the shooting problem, along
with using a slingshot with wide spaced arms. I've settled on about 2 oz
as the best compromise between trouble-free shooting and the ability to
drop through the tree.

I never use this method for a home installation unless it's for no more
than a few days -- the twine or even rope cuts into the tree, making it
impossible to get down. This might not be as much of a problem with
hardwood trees as it is for softer and pitchier conifers. Also, I've had
people tell me that very heavy nylon monofilament is less prone to this
-- I haven't tried it.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Ed wrote:
I'm trying to shoot a line over a tree limb to hoist my next
generation of wire dipole.

I'm using a slingshot, a 1 oz round lead fishing weight, and in this
case, 40# test fishing line.

Although I have had fair success in the past, I'm having difficulties
lately. My weight won't pull the line down the other side of the limb
beyond where it stopped.

My Question: What weight do you guys recommend? Does anyone know
what weight is used on the EZhang system? Comments sollicited.

Right now I'm waiting for the wind to blow and hopefully move the tree
limb enough to make the hanging weight pull my live over to the point
where I can reach it.


Ed K7AAT