It has been awhile since my last post, but with starting a new job and learning all about RFID and an amazing Wifi system that actually works in the Corporate world, it has been fun. Need Wifi for more than 10 people at a time, then you have to look at Meru. Amazing stuff.
It is ham radio contest season and that keeps me travelling to North Bay more than usual. It was great to catch up to my dad (who is over 80 and hasn't slowed down yet--note to self--don't slow down). Look for the guy travelling at light speed in the North Bay Canadian Tire. Say hi to Ken.
If you are not a Ham, you can skip this part. Hams have always had to come up with methods to get ropes high up trees. We have used Slingshots, Potato Cannons (great fun if you have never tried it), fishing rods and more. Well since I have taken up model airplane flying (helicopters, planes and quad flyers), I just knew I could merge the 2 hobbies.
We needed to get a rope over a 80ft tree at the Corbeil Contest Club last weekend. In true McGiver fashion, I just knew I could use my quad flier (basically a camera platform with 4 lifting motors) to lift a weight on the end of a 12lb fishing line and drop it in place. Then, I could drop the weight in the right place.
Well, it worked and worked well. Took only a few minutes which is much better after 3 0r 4 slingshot tries and everyone else saying "let me try". In the picture, you can see the bottom of the bird with the release mechanism (the Quad is upside down for the picture).
I will try to grab some video this weekend so you can see just how well it works!
This weekend is CQWW. The largest ham radio contest going. Didn't you know--you can make a contest out of anything. Just ask the belt-sander racing guys.
