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Reviews For: EZ Hang (tm)

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : EZ Hang (tm)
Reviews: 40MSRP: $89.95
Description:
Sling Shot wire antenna installer
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ezhang.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00403.7
KK9H Rating: 2013-06-03
Works well for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one of these several years ago at Dayton. As with others, it took a bit of practice to get used to it, but now I usually hit where I want go go on the first try. When we go on summer vacation in the north woods I take my K3 with me and this is how I get my antennas nice and high in the trees. I have not experienced any problems with the reel or fishline. I also use it to help put antennas up for Field Day. They go up quick and easy now that I am proficient with it, what more could you ask?
M0AZE Rating: 2013-06-02
Good idea but that's about it. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the whole kit, extra weights, spare elastic for the catapult, bright orange line - cost a small fortune.
What I received did not really reflect the price I paid. The parts used are not of quality for the money. The catapult has worked but unfortunately the spool will not let the fishing line out. Pressing the release knob does nothing as the cover prevents any forward movement.
I've written to ezhang and received a very courteous response that covers what I've already tried. Whether more recent products have better quality I cannot say but when you read reports from great to junk that should have the manufacturers attention and problem fixed. They market very aggressively and I'm okay with that as long as the product is up to it. Mine is not - so buyer beware.
I'm off to eBay and see if I can source better elements of this device.
KB1QBZ Rating: 2012-02-27
Great Product/Great Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had mine for three years. Took a little practice to get accurate with the slingshot, but once I got accurate I've been able to get lines up as high as 80 ft with the lead weights and as high as 60 ft with the tennis balls.

I recently had some snagging problems with my reel and called Dennis for help. Even though I've had mine for three years, he offered to replace it. Turns out it didn't need replacement (I had messed up while putting a new roll of line in the reel), but I appreciate that he was willing to replace it.

A lot less expensive than an air cannon, a lot more portable and reliable than an air cannon, and a LOT safer than a bow and arrow or crossbow (especially in non-rural situations).
N3PZT Rating: 2011-09-11
EZ Hangup Followup Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well, the two mods I made worked: "I cut off the replacement band I got from EZ Hang from the yoke and shortened both ends to give me more tension on the draw. Also, the leather pouch on the band had a small magnet sewed in under a patch that made the pouch stiff. I carefully removed the patch and magnet to give the pouch a better grip on the weight." My second shot went exactly where I wanted. For future attempts I ordered more replacemnt bands from EBay without the patch and magnet and, also from EBay, ordered 750yds of Stren 10lb .012 dia neon (yellow) filament.
K2OWR Rating: 2011-09-07
Finally nice high dipoles! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I spent many years (roughly 50) trying to get dipoles and other wire antennas just where I wanted them, usually making a complete fool of myself by hanging half the sockets from my toolbox all over the woods. I'm not kidding....they're hanging everywhere at my old qth. I often wonder if the current owner ever noticed them and said wtf?
I bought an EZHang a year or so ago and set out to get my antennas over the highest branches I could find. After figuring out how to load the fishing line ( I never fished in my life and it wasn't that obvious) then a few missed tries, bingo, I got the lines right where I wanted them.
After realizing that you should NEVER try to pull a failed shot back thru the branches, which they clearly tell you not to, I never lost a weight. It is true they can be hard to see, but what other color than yellow do you want them to be?
Anyway, after a few times using this thing, I got to the point where most every single first shot is right on target. A friend of mine laughs at the entire concept, saying he could do just as well with a fishing pole. To this day I have a standing $100 bet him that even if I spot him 5 tries, he will lose to me every single time :-)
KB3OKT Rating: 2011-09-07
Effective Time Owned: more than 12 months.
If used according to directions, the EZ Hang will get the job done. Like any other involved tasks, using the EZ Hang requires some basic planning and practice. I have installed several dipoles and G5RVs (160m, 40m, 102', and 51'G5RVs) on my wooded backyard with minimal problems. You have to have a plan and be patient when executing it. It is somewhat pricey but I am happy with my investment.
KD8OPI Rating: 2011-09-06
It works, but... Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I used this device to hang up a couple of antennas in the wooded part of my lot. I was surprised at how well it worked, and I thought it was reasonably accurate. For the price, they could give you more line and a few more weights. I bought higher test replacement color filament. Maybe its an expectation problem, but you have to be realistic in your goals. The lines snag in trees, both on the way up and down; and if you're hanging wires in a wooded area its gonna be tough to find the little yellow weight.

I read about people using bows and arrows, better not do that in the 'burbs and kill someone.
K2JX Rating: 2011-03-30
Junk Time Owned: more than 12 months.

Go to Wal-Mart buy an inexpensive bow & arrow and a ball of Mason's line. Or use a fishing rod with a spinning reel. The cover on the included Zebco reel comes off easily, the line is too light, the weights hang up in three branchs snapping the line and dropping the sinker usually somewhere you can't see it. Accuracy is doubtful regardless of the angle of shot. Plus it's dangerous to use in a normal suburban neighborhood as it can easily reach your neighbors yard.

Sorry I spent the money on this product rather than continuing to use my trusty fishing rod & sinker which is much more accurate, better made and in my view easier to control and safer all around. I've used it to raise many an antenna in my 35 years as a Ham.

Bought this thing after seeing it used Field Day when we just shot the line over some tall Maple tree's and did not care where the lines ended up. The idea was just get the dipoles up and working for 24 hours. Plus we had acres of room, no houses or cars nearby to possibly hit with the sinker.

73/K2JX
AA2LD Rating: 2011-01-03
You will need to practice Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Nothing works quite as well as this product out of the box. I have launched/hung several Windham antennas at 35-40 feet. What I have learned:
1. the reel is flimsy but does the job with a little patience.
2. there is a steep learning curve. Plan on buying/ordering more yellow weights than you think you need. You will wind up losing some.
I come back to this launcher again and again. It will last you years if you treat it right and store it properly.
KC2WTG Rating: 2011-01-02
poor Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
try it did not work very well lost $89.00 on it