Hi all,
As I reported on the 20m Amsat Net (14.282mhz Sundays 18:00z - 19:00z) this morning, I noticed that my 2m antenna was listing slightly down-hill. Suspecting that the boom attachment screws had come loose, my project for the day was to go up on the roof and align and tighten them.
The screws were a little loose.
That's not why the antenna was drooping down.
I discovered the real reason: Acorns.
Apparently the local squirrels have been preparing for winter, such as it is around here, and had stuffed about a dozen plump acorns into the open end of the antenna boom. Besides their weight climbing out to the end, there was also the remaining weight of the acorns.
So, the antenna ends have been taped over, but that's not going to prevent the squirrels from climbing out onto the antenna.
Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent?
Greg KO6TH
Very interesting, Greg.....I was concerned about my vhf/uhf beams I want to put up before winter. I used the red plastic tops of Boost Protein drink bottles and they fit nice over the ends.
I broke a few of them but was able to cover all of the booms well.
I had the squirrel problem at the Sterling homestead a number of yrs ago.
73, Dale-KL7XJ On 9/1/2013 2:51 PM, Greg D wrote:
Hi all,
As I reported on the 20m Amsat Net (14.282mhz Sundays 18:00z - 19:00z) this morning, I noticed that my 2m antenna was listing slightly down-hill. Suspecting that the boom attachment screws had come loose, my project for the day was to go up on the roof and align and tighten them.
The screws were a little loose.
That's not why the antenna was drooping down.
I discovered the real reason: Acorns.
Apparently the local squirrels have been preparing for winter, such as it is around here, and had stuffed about a dozen plump acorns into the open end of the antenna boom. Besides their weight climbing out to the end, there was also the remaining weight of the acorns.
So, the antenna ends have been taped over, but that's not going to prevent the squirrels from climbing out onto the antenna.
Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent?
Greg KO6TH
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3222/6628 - Release Date: 09/01/13
There used to be a company that sold hot pepper stuff in a caulking tube that you could put where birds would roost.
The birds would land, get a "hot foot", and leave.
Might be worth googling a bit to see if it's still available.
Unless, of course, your squirrels enjoy spicy food!
73, Jim KQ6EA
On 09/01/2013 10:51 PM, Greg D wrote:
Hi all,
As I reported on the 20m Amsat Net (14.282mhz Sundays 18:00z - 19:00z) this morning, I noticed that my 2m antenna was listing slightly down-hill. Suspecting that the boom attachment screws had come loose, my project for the day was to go up on the roof and align and tighten them.
The screws were a little loose.
That's not why the antenna was drooping down.
I discovered the real reason: Acorns.
Apparently the local squirrels have been preparing for winter, such as it is around here, and had stuffed about a dozen plump acorns into the open end of the antenna boom. Besides their weight climbing out to the end, there was also the remaining weight of the acorns.
So, the antenna ends have been taped over, but that's not going to prevent the squirrels from climbing out onto the antenna.
Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent?
Greg KO6TH
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
In my situation I have a Dalmatian/Pointer who hates squirrels, or he thinks they're lunch. Either way my squirrel situation is solved. A very effective deterrent. good luck 73 Bob W7LRD
----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg D" [email protected] To: "Amsat BB" [email protected] Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2013 3:51:32 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Winterization project
Hi all,
As I reported on the 20m Amsat Net (14.282mhz Sundays 18:00z - 19:00z) this morning, I noticed that my 2m antenna was listing slightly down-hill. Suspecting that the boom attachment screws had come loose, my project for the day was to go up on the roof and align and tighten them.
The screws were a little loose.
That's not why the antenna was drooping down.
I discovered the real reason: Acorns.
Apparently the local squirrels have been preparing for winter, such as it is around here, and had stuffed about a dozen plump acorns into the open end of the antenna boom. Besides their weight climbing out to the end, there was also the remaining weight of the acorns.
So, the antenna ends have been taped over, but that's not going to prevent the squirrels from climbing out onto the antenna.
Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent?
Greg KO6TH
_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
A KW linear??
Jeff Moore -- KE7ACY CN94
On Sun, Sep 1, 2013 at 3:51 PM, Greg D [email protected] wrote:
Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent?
Greg KO6TH
Greg, et al....... You think you have acorn problems? Check THIS out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZkAP-CQlhA 73, Bob K8BL (AMSAT Mbr since 1979)
________________________________ From: Greg D [email protected] To: Amsat BB [email protected] Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2013 5:51 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Winterization project
Hi all,
As I reported on the 20m Amsat Net (14.282mhz Sundays 18:00z - 19:00z) this morning, I noticed that my 2m antenna was listing slightly down-hill. Suspecting that the boom attachment screws had come loose, my project for the day was to go up on the roof and align and tighten them.
The screws were a little loose.
That's not why the antenna was drooping down.
I discovered the real reason: Acorns.
Apparently the local squirrels have been preparing for winter, such as it is around here, and had stuffed about a dozen plump acorns into the open end of the antenna boom. Besides their weight climbing out to the end, there was also the remaining weight of the acorns.
So, the antenna ends have been taped over, but that's not going to prevent the squirrels from climbing out onto the antenna.
Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent?
Greg KO6TH
_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Greg,
Two years ago, I had about $1k worth of damage done to my car fuel system by squirrels chewing on the tubing around the gas tank. There is something in modern plastics, including wire insulation, squirrels and other rodents like to chew on. Insurance covered most of it, but I wanted to find a solution cheaper than converting my carport to a full garage. After some thought, I decided to try an ultrasonic pest repeller.
Now the squirrels won't come near the carport. When I installed it, I ran the power temporarily into the house, and waited for one to come around. When I quietly turned the power on, the squirrel took off as if I had slammed the door! I use a Transonic Pro http://preview.tinyurl.com/k9jjavc but there are many similar units. Of course there is the problem of placement and water proofing, but it may be worth the effort.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Greg D Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2013 5:52 PM To: Amsat BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Winterization project
Hi all,
As I reported on the 20m Amsat Net (14.282mhz Sundays 18:00z - 19:00z) this morning, I noticed that my 2m antenna was listing slightly down-hill. Suspecting that the boom attachment screws had come loose, my project for the day was to go up on the roof and align and tighten them.
The screws were a little loose.
That's not why the antenna was drooping down.
I discovered the real reason: Acorns.
Apparently the local squirrels have been preparing for winter, such as it is around here, and had stuffed about a dozen plump acorns into the open end of the antenna boom. Besides their weight climbing out to the end, there was also the remaining weight of the acorns.
So, the antenna ends have been taped over, but that's not going to prevent the squirrels from climbing out onto the antenna.
Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent?
Greg KO6TH
_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (7)
-
Alan -
Bob- W7LRD -
Dale Hershberger -
Greg D -
Jeff Moore -
Jim Jerzycke -
R.T.Liddy