Hello KiteLife Forum,
Have prototyped and tested a device called the KiteMessenger that uses a 433 mhz transceiver to do the teddy bear kite drop.
https://www.kitemessenger.net
Haven't decided how much to get for the KM. With the spars, the transceiver, the microcontroller, the 3D printing and the shipping tube the cost is about eighty bucks. Hate to sell the KM for cost but not sure any one will pay, say, $100 for the device before shipping.
How much would you pay?
With Gunther no longer manufacturing there does not seem to be a commercially available kite ferry and certainly not one that uses an electronic, as opposed to a mechanical, release mechanism. So the KiteMessenger maybe a monopoly but if the price point is too high the uniqueness is useless.
There is a guy in Australia that sells a rig for dripping chum and fish hooks. Tried to get him to sell me one but basically he said it was too much trouble to ship to the USA.
Going to the Washington State Kite festival in mid August 2022. If you are going you might see a demo of the KiteMessenger there.
Also, working on a 915 mhz version with a bi-pole antenna that should improve the range considerably.
Allen Pitts
Dallas TX