E-Z Hang Antenna Tool

[W4HWD]

Your critique of the EZ hang sounds like 'operator error'...I have had one for a couple years and mine has been perfect. You have to AIM. All trees have BARK to some degree(!). I shoot lines through my back yard, which is practically a forest and have no problems - with PRACTICE. Don't run it into the ground if you're not capable with it. I ain't mad at ya, but your 'review' smacks of 'operator error'.

[NS6Y]

I can just see the EZ Hang ppl telling you, "We aim to please so please aim". It's possible to be very accurate with one of those slingshots, just sight down it like a bow or a gun. The only problem with that is, it means a failed rubber will whack you in the face, hence the SAFETY GLASSES warning with such things.

If you aim, esp. after some practice, you'll get good at placing the line where you want it to go.

Antennas are not that picky - just get wire up there.

I've recently become interested in "field expedient" antennas and wonder how well the good old human arm can do with some training and practice. I'm not that bad at throwing level, but throwing up is a whole different skill it seems. And when I told my buddies I needed to go to the park and practice throwing up, they kinda backed away.....

[W8OB]

You guys spending big bucks for these things. When I was a kid my old man made me a sling shot from a tree branch, some old innertube rubber and piece of leather. Years later when I received my Novice license, we had some very tall elm trees on the property. I used the slingshot with some of that black 50# test line spread out on the lawn and a couple of sinkers the old man gave me to try.First shot away she went up over 75 feet in the tree. Compared to my first dipole at 9 ft high, the difference was like night and day. Total cost about 20 cents in materials. Simple and cheap is better but you have to aim.

[W5MEJ]

I've never used the EZ hang...no way would I pay that much money for it. Since you do own one, though, you shouldn't be so quick to write it off. I used an old Wrist-Rocket slingshot with a Zebco 33 hose-clamped to it to hang my antennas for a long time . It does take a little bit of practice to shoot it over the particular tree limb that you want. Use electrical tape to cover and smooth out your knots holding the weight to the line, and never attempt to pull the weight back over a limb if you miss your mark. When you miss, let the weight fall back to the ground and remove it before you try to retrieve your line. I would use the fishing line to pull a lightweight nylon twine over the branch, then use the twine to pull the actual supporting line over. It will work.

Having said that, what I use now is an arborist's throwbag and line. I find that I am more accurate, can get higher in the trees, and the line is easier to retrieve. This method also takes a bit of practice, though.

If you want to try this route, find a local arborist supply or do a search for an online supplier.

The EZ Hang will also work...it just takes a little practice and a little foresight.

Good Luck
Chuck

[N8CWR]

Hi Chuck, same exact thing I done, took my ol wrist rocket and attached a zebco 33 cant beat it and cheap too.
N8CWR

[W3XAF]

I bought the E-Z Hang Device about four months ago to help me get my six wire antennas up in the trees surrounding my house.

It took me about three months to get used to the device but now all my antennas are up in the trees at heights of 90 to 100 feet or more.

In the beginning, I had a real problem with the device because the sinker kept getting stuck on branches, leaves, etc.

The trick is to aim the device at a 90-degree angle to the tree and fire it straight up. It does take practice but once you get the hang of it--it works great.

I made two improvements to the device: I replaced the 10-pound fishing line with 15-pound line and I replaced the yellow sinker with a three-quarter-ounce nut that I painted red. I found the nut much easier to work with in the sling than the sinker.

I highly recommend this device to any ham who needs to get his/her antenna up into a tree. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KC2ESD]

Is EZ hang legal in NJ? I heard it is not yet I'v seen them at Field Day.

[KA5PIU]

Hello.

I have used the EZ-Hang with great sucess.
One OM bought one and said it would not work for him.
I put up all of his longwires and mine, gave it back to him.
A few months later, the thing is again "broken".
Sent up another line and showed one of the grandkids what it was all about, the kid got it in 2 tries.
Now, it is like the childproof bottles and VCR programming at that household, the grandkids come over for that. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif