A field antenna’s best friend: The amazing arborist throw line

At least 95% of the time I’m playing radio in the field, I use wire antennas and suspend them in trees.

Since I do a lot of park activations for the POTA program, trees are typically very easy to come by and most of the time the park office doesn’t care if I hang an antenna in their tree for a couple of hours.

For years, I’ve been using a heavy steel nut–a nut that would fit a very large bolt–as a weight and attach it to fishing line. I then simply throw the nut into a tree and pray the fishing line deploys properly. I have reasonably good aim, so–on a good day–I typically only need one or two throws/tries to get the fishing line over a branch. On bad days? Well… let’s just not talk about that.

There are some inherent weaknesses in the fishing line/monofilament system:

First of all, I’m lobbing a heavy metal object into the trees. If it ricochets–and it eventually will–it can come back down to earth and land where you might not want it to (for example, on your radio, on your car, or on your friend’s head).  Fortunately, I’ve never hit anything or anyone as I’m careful to clear the area first, but unfortunately, I once had the nut hit a tree and come back down near me. That was a little scary.

Secondly, fishing line isn’t exactly recyclable and you simply can’t use it over and over. I get at most three deployments with a section of fishing line before it gets too stretched and unworkable.

Finally, fishing line is incredibly prone to tangle, especially near the end of the spool.

A Better Solution? The Arborist’s Throw Line

The arborist throw line is no recent innovation. For years, I’ve read recommendations from other ham radio operators who swear by arborist throw lines but I only recently decided to take the plunge after one very frustrating park activation where my fishing line knotted and almost got permanently stuck in a gorgeous tree. I’m very much a “Leave No Trace” kind of guy, so I was incredibly relieved when I was finally able to work the fishing line out of the tree.

When I got home from that activation, I ordered a Weaver Throw Weight and Line and a Throw Line Storage Cube. (Note: these are Amazon affiliate links that support this site.)

Forester Throw Rope folding/collapsible Storage Cube

I once talked with an arborist about throw lines and he stressed the importance of getting not just the line, but also a throw line storage cube. The cube allows you to both deploy and take up the line without any tangles or knots.

All in, I spent about $50.00 US for both.

Preparing the throw line

My arborist buddy gave me an important tip: the throw line needs to be stretched.

As you can see in the photo above, the throw line is packed in a bundle that’s easy to unroll. After you unroll it for the first time, though, the line has a “memory” of all those bends from its life in the package.

You can remove much of the throw line memory by tying one end of the line to a tree and stretching the line to its full length. The line is 150 (or so) feet long, so you’ll need an open space to do this.

The arborist in this video shows how this is done (I’ve queued it to the point in the video where he shows how to do this):

Knots

You’ll need to attach the throw line to the throw weight, of course.

There are a number of knots arborists use, but I’m a fan of the slipped simple noose knot. Perhaps it’s because it’s easy to tie even with semi-rigid line, it holds quite well and, most importantly, it’s easy to untie.

Looks like arborists use it too because when searching for an instructional video, the first result was from an arborists’ channel:

Throwing up!

There are a few different ways to launch a throw line into a tree.

Take my advice here: practice at home before you hit the field! It could save you a lot of embarrassment, although, admittedly, my at-home practice sessions gave my wife and my daughters good reasons to chuckle.

I’ve only been using the throw line for a little over a week, so I’m still sorting out which method works best for me. One thing I discovered very quickly, though: no matter which launch method I use, I can send that throw weight into a tree at least 60% higher than I could before.

No doubt, the throw line and weight really put the laws of physics in your favor!

Here’s a great video highlighting different throw line launch techniques:

In practice

I took the throw line to the field today for the first time and I’m very pleased with how effectively it works.

I was able to place my antenna on a much higher branch than I could have otherwise. It took me three tries today, but it had more to do with my poor aim. As with any skill, this will, I think, improve with practice.

The storage cube folds down flat and keeps the line from tangling

Besides the improved antenna height, I love that the line can be used over and over again. Also, it’s strong enough that should it ever get caught in a tree, I can pull it out without the line breaking.

I can also reel in the line at least three or four times faster than I could with fishing line. Simply flake it into the storage cube one foot at a time.

When the line has been stored along with the throw weight, you can fold the storage cube down flat, then fold and secure it into a compact triangle.

Are there any negatives with the throw line system? Here are a few I’d note:

  • Bulk. Even when packed down, the line in the storage cube take up much more space than fishing line. Although it easily fits in even my smallest backpack (the GoRuck Bullet), I’m not sure I’d take it on a long hike.
  • This system requires a little practice and skill–you can’t pull it out of the package for the first time in the field and expect perfect line launches.
  • The throw line is more conspicuous than fishing line. If you’re trying to be a bit stealthy–as many of us are these days during the Covid-19 pandemic–the bright yellow throw line will attract more attention and questions from other hikers/campers, etc.
One happy activator!

Even though it’s bulky by my standards, I see the throw line becoming a permanent part of my field kit and I expect I’ll use it on most of my POTA activations.

Have you been using a throw line to hang field antennas? Or do you use a different system?  Please comment!

25 thoughts on “A field antenna’s best friend: The amazing arborist throw line”

  1. If it ever gets stuck in a tree, it will visable to everyone who visits the park for years to come. Fishing line is more likely to get stuck, but it is stealthy liter. I still think I will try this, but I have some reservations about brightly colored rope getting stuck.

  2. I have used one for a couple of years, and love it. While there have been snags, I use cheap carabiners or swivels between the rope and weight. If it does get snagged and will not move, the carabiner bends and releases the rope. The weight bag usually falls out of the tree, and you can recover your rope.

  3. I think that after you have the arborist rope over a branch where you want it, you could then use that rope to easily and accurately pull fishing line up in its place. In case you want the stealth.

    – Jef N5JEF

  4. It is worth mentioning that the throw line is not like common cord or rope. Once stretched to remove the memory, it is not prone to kink and tangle. Also, it is very slick line that passes over and through branches very easily. The bright colors of the line make it easy to see when it is placed at the desired point in the tree. And finally, although it could be used to support the antenna, I use mine only to pull up a different support rope for the antenna so that I get maximum life out of it. The antenna support rope will be in the tree longer so using a black rope for instance will attract less attention.
    -Mark NA4O

    1. I think that could be an excellent option, too! What I like about this line, though, is the throw doesn’t get caught in trees and the line itself–some type of poly rope–isn’t prone to tangle on itself nor snag in trees. I’ve used paracord before, but find that it makes slightly more friction with tree branches than the arborist throw line. The thing I really love is not even once has the line tangled.

  5. Who knew?! I’m amazed that there is gear and technique associated with throwing a line into the trees for a wire antenna. I’ve been just “chucking” a line all these years with a rock or stick attached to the end… mostly unsuccessfully by wrapping the fishing line around a branch and having it hang up. Yes, I’ve seen the adds for air powered and such devices but this arborist method makes sense. Many thanks for this info. (once again, YT amazes me with it’s diversity of subject matter)

    1. I used to use fishing line and a large, heavy nut. It worked, but not nearly as effectively and efficiently as the arborist line. Not once have I had a tangle or has my line gotten stuck in a tree since I started using it. The air-powered launchers are rather cool for sure, but the throw line is so super simple and quick I see no need for anything else.

  6. Good morning,

    WOW!! Each time I read any of your posts, I learn something, it is really great. This time, believe it or not, it is the first time I always had problems to throw a line in the trees. Now I will follow your instructions, and yes, “visualization ” is also the secret to success.

    Been hamming for 58 years this year now, always running QRP & QRPp , I turned 74 this spring, and this morning I learned something very precious,

    A “BIG THANK YOU” for sharing all those tricks which help very much to add fun to this wonderful hobby.-

    Keep on the very good work, stay safe.
    Best 72/73 Mike VE2TH The QRP’er, didit..

  7. I’ve used a ball peen hammer, a slingshot with fishing line, a Nerf bow and arrow, a youth archery set and a Chuckit dog ball launcher, but this is the best. I found the granny throw technique works best for me. With the 16 oz. weight, I hit 39’. The release velocity is proportional to the weight. I calculated what heights I could hit with an 8 oz. weight and I don’t believe my result- 150’. But the acceleration is inversely proportional to the weight and the time to maximum height is also proportional.

    In any case, this works very well. My neighbor came by when I was trying to go higher yesterday, I was tired and ready to give up, but he inspired me – the next toss hit 45’. 30-35’ is a piece of cake and it does not look like a weapon. Great for portable operation. Thanks, Tom.

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