Date: Mon, 10 Oct 1994 05:22:05 -1000 From: jmnelson@tigger.stcloud.msus.edu (J M Nelson) Message-Id: <9410101522.AA05831@inet-gw-2.pa.dec.com> Subject: Re: Bridle for Rok In a related post, Michael Graves, crediting others, provided a rather easy method of determining bridle length for a Rok. I found his suggestion confusing and wrote for clarification. In the process, I decided to calculate the theoretical ratio of top bridle to bottom bridle, using their respective altitudes from the spar as a reference, that is, rather than calculate the bridle length directly, determine the distance from the mid-point of their respective spars to their point of connection. Assuming a 3:4:5 ration Rok, if the top bridle connect point is 3 units >From its spar, the lower bridle connect point would be 4.42 units from its spar for an angle between the spine and top bridle lines of approximately 95 degrees. Calculating the length of line for the upper and lower bridles respectively, and assuming the connecting points on spars to be one unit >From the spine, one gets respective lengths of approximately 6.3 units and 9 units, plus whatever is needed for tying each end to the spar. Linking the respective connecting points with a foot or so of line should give ample room for fine tuning the bridle. How am I doin? J Michael Nelson Learning Resources Services St Cloud State University St Cloud MN 56301-4498 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 10 Oct 1994 06:44:40 -1000 From: jburka@Glue.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) Message-Id: <37br1o$off@geog20.umd.edu> Organization: Project Glue, University of Maryland, College Park Subject: Re: Bridle for Rok In article <9410101522.AA05831@inet-gw-2.pa.dec.com>, J M Nelson wrote: >Calculating the length of line for the upper and lower bridles >respectively, and assuming the connecting points on spars to be one unit >from the spine, one gets respective lengths of approximately 6.3 units and >9 units, plus whatever is needed for tying each end to the spar. Linking >the respective connecting points with a foot or so of line should give >ample room for fine tuning the bridle. > >How am I doin? Personally, I think you're thinking too hard. I take a couple of pieces of line, each anywhere from 3 to 5 times the spine length. I then shorten one of the pieces a bit; this is the bottom bridle. I tie over hand knots in the ends of the lines, find the centers, and tie loops in them. The over hand knots at the end get attached to the spreaders. I then take a short piece of heavy line ( a foot or two, I suppose) and tie it between the upper and lower bridles, and attach a small loop to that for my tow point. Then I go out to the field and find the right angle of attack, which usually takes all of 5-8 minutes, and I fly my kite. I've done this with several Rok's, including one who's bridle got chopped in the second heat of a battle--we were quickly ready for the third heat, and in fact came in 2nd place in that heat. It may take me a bit of fiddling to find the towpoint on the field (and longer if the wind is light), but then I'm not spending a whole bunch of time measuring lines and seeing if things are the right proportion. Jeff -- |Jeffrey C. Burka | Pithy, insightful quote to be inserted | | | when one occurs to me. *If* one occurs | |jeffy@glue.umd.edu | to me. | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =