Location: Ham Club Home > Newsletters > July & August 2006 Newsletter

Newsletter - July & August 2006

By: Larry Hammersly, WA9FFZ, Secretary

July Fox Hunt: Four hunters showed to try tracking down the fox, Mike, KF9NP, who was hidden in the Devil’s Backbone area.  This spot, although located on high ground, proved to be more than the hunters could handle.  The four hunters were Keith/Ann, N9KH/K9NOT, Ray, KB9LGS, Mike King, KC9JIG, and Larry, WA9FFZ.  An unprecedented failure rate of 75% occurred in finding the fox.  Only the Harris team, Keith/Ann were successful.  With the two hour time limit Keith and Ann came in beyond one hour and thirty-five minutes.  Ray, Mike K. and Larry were plagued with the usual reflected signals, wrong turns and confusion on roads as signs had been removed on many of the intersections.  Mike, the fox, used one of his new fox transmitters at the start of the hunt.  The next hunt will be August 19, starting time of 5:30 PM with Keith as the fox.

August 1 radio meeting forum:  This forum is noteworthy.  Hal, W8AIR, gave an excellent forum on the soldering of PL259 coax cable connectors.  He brought two sizes of coax cable, the connectors, solder irons, and other tools that made the task easier.  He made the operation of soldering the connectors to the cables seem so easy.  The technique he demonstrated resulted in a good strong, reliable connector with little chance of creating problems with the antenna connections.  Two members, who will remain unnamed, were heard in a frivolous, but sorrowful discussion about their poor soldering technique and resulting antenna problems caused by that technique.  For those of you who missed it, Hal, no doubt, will be glad to describe the soldering and assembling techniques he uses for constructing the antenna connections.  Thanks, Hal.

Hamfest Approaches:  The September forum slot will be filled with Hamfest discussions.  Anyone who will help with the Hamfest is encouraged to contact the Hamfest chairman, Tim Wray, for job assignments.  During the August radio meeting it was stressed that those who will help with the gate are encouraged to sign up early in order to capture their preferred time slot to work the gate.  Marcie Davis is chairing the Chili Supper and is encouraging people to sign up for bringing a dessert as these will be sold at the Hamfest.

Special Events Station during Persimmon Festival: The special events station will again be operated during the Persimmon Festival.  The Festival will be held the last full week of September and the events station will be operated from 5 PM to 10 PM and will include Saturday this year.  Hal and Tim Miller will be in the driver’s seat again this year on this event and will welcome help.

Secretary Note: As always if anyone has a newsworthy item or is working on some electronic project please contact the secretary, Larry, WA9FFZ, email address: lhammersley@insightbb.com or telephone 279-2695.