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FUN & PRACTICAL? YES…

BUT THERE ARE STRINGS ATTACHED

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Amateur Radio & Kites ???

June 11th 2026

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Who am I? – Part 1

KK6OTP

FCC Licensed - Technician Class - 2014

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CARES AEC - Assistant PIO

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FEMA IS-100/200/700/800 Certified

Present/Past Net Control Operator for:

CARES, Oregon District 1, ARALB, LBRA

Also Supporting Race and Other EmComm Events

NWS SKYWARN Weather Spotter

Member - Southern California Monitoring Association

ARRL EC-001 Emergency Communicator - Level 2

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Who am I? – Part 2

Glen E. Rothstein

Serious Kiteflier since 1989

Current Regional Director – OR, ID & MT

American Kitefliers Association

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What Do Kites Do for You?

  • Physics and Science?
  • Art?
  • Exercise?
  • Relaxation?
  • Family, Friendship & Camaraderie?
  • Technology & Special Applications?
  • All of the Above?
  • All of the Above!

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Physics and Science

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What Parts make up a Kite & Why?

  • Sail – Fabric to “Catch” the Wind
  • Spine/Frame – Holds the Fabric in Place
  • Tail – Stabilizes Kite
  • Bridle – Provides Proper Angles
  • “Dynamic” Accessories – Screens, Winglets, Stand Offs, Camber Inducers
  • “Sporty” Details – Racing Stripes, Mylar

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Art

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Exercise

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Relaxation

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Family, Friendship & Camaraderie

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Air Traffic Control

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Special Applications – Part 1

K A P

Kite

Aerial

Photography

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Old School

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Special Applications – Part 2

Can Kites and Amateur Radio Play Nicely in the Sandbox Together (without the sand)?

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Of Course!!!

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Factors to Ponder

  • SAFETY

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  • Anchoring – Kite Stake or Sand Anchor

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  • Wind vs. Sail Area

(African or European Swallow)

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  • Tensile Strength of Kite Line
  • Weight of Antenna & Coax (Drag)

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More Factors to Ponder

  • 180 Degree Flying Area

AND LANDING ZONE

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Pick your Kite – Traction/Lifter

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  • Delta Conyne – Most Stable – (16 Ft. Max)

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  • Delta – (23 Ft. Max)

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  • Rokaku – Six-Sided

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  • Parafoil – (Soft) No Frame

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�Connection Path – �Overhand, Larkshead & Prusik Knots�

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�Attach “Cheater Pigtail” to “Top” of Antenna - Prusik�

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�Detail - “Cheater Pigtail ” to� “Top” of Antenna - Prusik�

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Attach Antenna Over Flying Line Loop �Lower Knot – Larkshead

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Attach Flying Line Loop to Kite �Pigtail on Keel - Larkshead

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Going Technical

Why choose an End Fed Half Wave?

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Multibanded

  • Once setup, antenna is “hands off”
  • Can change bands at will – no tuner REQUIRED
  • Tuner suggested to “tweak” the match

Once setup, antenna is “hands off”

Can change bands at will – no tuner REQUIRED

Tuner suggested to “tweak” the match

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DX and NVIS capable

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Simple counterpoise system

  • Single wire – no radial field needed
  • Counterpoise attaches to 49:1 UNUN, 5% of longest wavelength

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Courtesy of Shell Haffner – KI7MDE

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80-10m EFHW Setup

139 ft, 14 AWG

(1/2 of 80 m wl)

Approx 240 ft

To RADIO

49:1 UNUN

Common Mode

Choke

12 ft of counterpoise

(5% of wl, 12 AWG

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Computer Modeled Performance

10 meter / 60° TOA

20 meter / 47° TOA

40 meter / 32° TOA

80 meter / 20° TOA

As wavelength decreases (freq increases), signal becomes more NVIS capable.

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SWR < 3 for 40, 20, 17, 12, 10 meter bands. On 80 and 17 meter, only partially.

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Special Applications – Part 3

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Making our World,

and Others,

a Better Place

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Saul’s Barrage Kite 1942

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The How To’s

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  • When someone tells you to go fly a kite……….

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Thanks!

I’m Outta’ Here!

Epilogue

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Credit where Credit is Due

  • Photos Courtesy of the following:
  • Kerry Perkins Photography
  • Kathleen Wenzel of Clay Pigeon Photography
  • Dave Kulp – Kite Ship
  • NASA

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  • Additional Appreciation:
  • Japan America Kite Festival
  • Oxnard Takes Flight
  • Port Hueneme Harbor Days
  • Aerial Experience Productions
  • Carl’s Air Camera
  • Convair 220 Radio Club
  • San Diego Kite Club
  • Up, Up & Away Kite Club – Seal Beach
  • Ventura County Kite Flyers