The Ham Radio Antenna Launcher You Didn’t Know You Needed! SPARK-Con 2025

While I was at SPARK-Con 2025 — the ARRL Midwest Convention at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, MO last October, I met Jim Scott, WB0IYC, from the Joplin Amateur Radio Club (JARC). Jim and the JARC crew were showcasing and selling their homebrew antenna launcher kits — with all proceeds supporting the Joplin ARC. These launchers have even been featured in CQ Magazine for their clever design and usefulness in the field. The Original JARC Antenna Launcher Kit is a compact pneumatic launcher that’s easy to build and use — perfect for Field Day, emergency communications, or backyard antenna setups. Just a few strokes from a tire pump can propel a monofilament line over trees or obstacles, letting you raise heavier antenna lines with ease. Jim also showed me the new MKII version, which upgrades the classic design with: 🔹 An electric trigger release for instant, full air discharge 🔹 Improved accuracy and ease of use 🔹 The ability to operate manually or electrically 📡 Whether you’re setting up antennas for POTA, SOTA, Field Day, or just experimenting in the backyard — this tool makes it quick, simple, and fun. 🎥 Watch the full video to see how the Joplin ARC is innovating and giving back to the ham community! ⬇️GEAR I USE⬇️ –––––––––––––––––––– ★★As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.★★ 🛒Many Things I Use Can Be Found In My Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/ki5irehamradio 🥾Check Out My My Ultra Portable POTA Kit: https://www.amazon.com/shop/ki5irehamradio/list/1S8JOQ9AJ4JQR –––––––––––––––––––– ⬇️LINKS TO OTHER STUFF⬇️ ★★All links are affiliate links where possible. As an affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. These links help support the channel and make videos like this possible.★★ 📡ABR Industries (Affiliate): https://abrind.com/?sld=ki5irehamradio Use code "ki5irehamradio10" on qualifying purchases. 📡Alpha Antenna (Affiliate): https://www.alphaantenna.com/?aff=22 Using this link when ordering from Alpha Antenna helps support the channel. 📡Bridgecom Systems (Affiliate): https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/?ref=ki5irehamradio Using this link when ordering from Bridgecom helps support the channel. 📡Ham Radio Prep (Affiliate): hamradioprep.com Use code "KI5IRE" to save 10% on qualifying purchases. 📡Radioddity (Affiliate): https://www.radioddity.com/?ref=ki5irehamradio Save $15 on qualifying purchases by using coupon code "KI5IRE" at checkout. 🌐The Ham Radio Logging Software I Use in the Shack (Only available for MacOS and iOS): https://www.dl2rum.de/rumsoft/RUMLog.html 🌐The Ham Radio Logging Software I Use Portable/POTA/SOTA: https://ham2k.com/apps/polo/ 🎵The Music I Use In Most of My Videos (Non-Affiliate): https://artlist.io/ ⬇️FOLLOW ME ON OTHER PLATFORMS⬇️ 🌎My Blog: https://ki5ire.weebly.com 🎥Subscribe for More Content: youtube.com/@HamRadioHQ2 🌎KI5IRE Ham Radio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamRadioHQ 📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HamRadioHQ/ 📡X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/KI5IRE 📡Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ki5ire-ham-radio 📡Join the KI5IRE Ham Radio Discord: https://discord.gg/mpqnu58eJz