HowTo: Equipment

Radio: harness-mounted 1/2 wave antenna

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:33:20 GMT

I've been making these for club members. They should provide the strongest signal possible. Here are photos showing you how to make one:
http://www.sonomawings.co.../main.php?g2_itemId=25646

Flytec 5030/6030 settings

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:13:36 GMT

I thought we talked about this before, but I can't find it. I'd like to start a discussion of configuration settings for these high-end Flytec varios. Of course the Compeo fits here too, since it's the same as the 5030.

First off, I want to know what you've set for your display fields. There are 3 pages, and each page can display 7 fields or 5 if you've chosen big fields on a page. I'll list the fields from top to bottom, left to right. I'll use the...

Radio: taking the HAM test

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:36:13 GMT

This website lists upcoming HAM tests in the area.

This website has a study test

You want to take the Technician exam. This isn't the best way to do it, since you don't see all 200 or so questions. It's a real test, like you'll take for the exam, giving you 35 questions. The trick here is to go to the bottom and click on "check...

HG Helmet recommendations

feeds@yuku.com (Greg Sugg) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:07:03 GMT

I want to get a new HG helmet. I'm thinking of three models: Icaro SkyRunner, Icaro 4-Flight Cut Integral, Charly No Limit. If you have opinions about any of these helmets or others you think are good, I'd like to hear them. I want a helmet that is comfortable, and I'm considering a visor too.

Greg

How to take pictures from your wing?

feeds@yuku.com (636wheelie) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:51:16 GMT

I cant find a good light weight camera with a remote. How is this done?

Thanks, Gabe

I'm looking for Rubber Bands

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:12:03 GMT

Size 61, actually. 2 inch by 1/4 inch.

This is the size that we use for our parachutes, to hold the shroud lines in the deployment bag. I've been searching the web, and this size just doesn't show up. I found one place that has a minimum of 100 lbs., or some such.

The ones I have now were given to me by Betty Pfeiffer. I'd like to find where I can buy some without having to bum them off Betty. Would you spend a few minutes and see if you...

What Size Parachute Do You Have... And Why?

feeds@yuku.com (Andy Long) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:08:43 GMT

Still making some final decisions on harness type, the main determining factor now has to do with what size Quantum chute will and won't fit in the Matrix Race vs. the Standard Matrix. As I have been re-visiting the specifics on just how fast the descent rate is on the various sized chutes with various total payloads, I'd love to hear your feedback on what size chute you have, what your body (or hook in) weight is and what kind of glider you fly. Your info would be much...

Parachute maintenance - your own or professional

feeds@yuku.com (Larry L Roberts) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 09:56:05 GMT

Just a note to all those who repack their own or have friends repack their parachute - This is from Wally..

By the way did you donate a LARA reserve to the Berkeley Club? The reason I mention it is that they gave me one to repack & it did not deploy because it hung up on one of the rubber bands which were way too...

Radio: 1/2 wave antenna for VX-150, other sma radios

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Thu, 10 May 2007 14:11:58 GMT

When you're on the ground and trying to make contact with your chase vehicle, you need the best, furthest-reaching antenna you can find. Here is the one that we've been using. It is a half-wave, telescoping antenna that you carry with you and put on the radio only when you need that extra signal strength.

The Vertex VX-150, a popular HAM radio for hang glider pilots, has an SMA threaded antenna. It used to be that all these hand held radios used a BNC connector. This antenna comes...

Radio: VX-150 mic problem, home-made headset.

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Thu, 03 May 2007 16:19:31 GMT

Hey Ernie,

I ran across a thread (see below) on the internet (Sonoma Wings?) and pulled what I hope is your email address

It pertains to the VX-150 and problems with the mic/ptt sticking for folks who had built their own headsets.

I'm a PG pilot up in Seattle. I was wondering if you had a moment to confirm that I have the same dilemma...

I have built two helmet headsets; you can

Owens Valley Panorama, revisited

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:31:51 GMT

You're all familiar with Mike Kunitani's panoramic photo of the Owens Valley. Here's where you can take it to the next level.

The folks at the xRez website have developed a scheme where you take a whole bunch of photos with your digital camera and a telephoto lens (Half Dome, for example), then stitch them together and display them using Google Maps technology.

In the Half Dome...

HG: flying wire strength

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 17:52:37 GMT

From: HangGlide@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:HangGlide@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of speedgliding
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 10:49 AM
To: Hang Gliding Mailing List
Subject: [HG] sidewire stength? max load?

I have the semi-thin 1x19 (I think), side wires on my glider.
Im about to change out my wires, and was curious, how much
load can one of
these sidewires withstand?
Whats the max?

Anyone know of any easy way to test these old wires...

Knot tying website, with animations

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 11:46:34 GMT

This website shows how to tie many types of knots.

www.animatedknots.com

headset: Motocomm endorsement

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 07:41:00 GMT

Motocomm love letter
Posted by: "Daniel Pifko"
Date: Tue Aug 8, 2006

Urs gave me crap for not telling him earlier how good the Motocomm headsets
are, so here's more grist for the mill.

I just got a new 2M radio with different plugs (Kenwood). I called up
Motocomm directly(1-877-MAGNUM-9)to order new pieces for the PTT system. The
guy there was both helpful and knowledgeable. He knew exactly what other
hang glider pilots had ordered and set...

Emergency Radio Procedures

feeds@yuku.com (Unregistered(d)) — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 20:05:53 GMT

One of the seminars at the Bay Area Summit/Party was given by a ham radio guy, on Emergency Procedures. I forgot his name, but Thanks.

Some of what he had to say was old stuff to Ham Radio license holders (The vast majority - 90% - of those present, already had their Ham Radio licences, and he was surprised to see that!) Some was beyond what we were interested in and able to use easily, but he did raise some very good points and here, briefly, is what I distilled from my notes....

Radio: rebuild your battery instead of buying a new one

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 13:48:36 GMT

Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 19:42:43 -0000
From: "Jim Rowan"
Subject: Re: Battery charging
Luke Thompson sent me the following. It seems like a wonderful find.
Pete

Hi Pete,
How often have our handheld radio batteries failed on longer flights?
I have information about radio batteries that other pilots may find
useful.

Last week I sent three of my older handheld radio batteries to
Primecell
Inc., Bedford Pa.

Tow: making weak links

feeds@yuku.com (Ernie Camacho) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 10:25:33 GMT

(from the OZ report)
Bruce Rhymes writes:

Here's a method for making weaklinks, and we've gotta give G.W. Meadows credit for this one.

We use 205 leach line for our (platform launch) weaklinks, and it's best if the ends are melted, so as not to fray. Determine the desired length for your weaklinks, cut a piece of cardboard that length, and wrap as much weaklink material around it as you like. Then, with a hot knife/soldering iron, etc., cut and melt the ends of the...