Not an allusion to perpetual island attire, here is a grouping of short newsworthy items for this month, which may become a regular newsletter column. So much to keep up with!
Lynne Maley
Most of you know Howard and Mary Gay Stone, the seniors who have owned the house next door since 1971. Recently they sold it to their daughter Lynne and her husband Mike Maley. As you probably saw, Lynne finally retired this January at age 61 after much urging from Mike. She went back to Chicago in mid-February to be with her daughter for the birth of a child.
Soon after, Lynne was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic and liver cancer. Neither Lynne nor Mike had any idea she was even ill. Lynne passed away within a few weeks, so all of the family next door can use our sympathy when we see them at the island house.
Six Meters at PJ2T
Some of our group enjoy 6 meters, particularly W9VA. Getting to the five element six meter yagi is easy – it’s just a push of a button on the antenna control box. But we also need to remember that each of our four stations has a low pass filter installed, so to use six it’s necessary to temporarily cable around that 30MHz cutoff filter. Also, and don’t ask me why, the beam is tuned 1 MHz high. We’ll get around to correcting that, but in the meantime it still gets out nicely and, of course, rotates now that we have the new aluminum mast and N0YY stainless steel bearings.
WARC Rotor
The WARC yagi has been fixed on Europe for a very long time. The rotor needs to be replaced, and each time I am about to tackle that, something else comes up that’s more important. Changing the rotor is not trivial because there’s no quick disconnect possible on that rotor given the configuration of the rotor plate. Also, that rotor plate is near failure from corrosion. I made a stiffener for it last year and just need to get a full day and a half to make it happen. That tower is very fragile at the top because all three legs are nearly corroded through, being held together with splints. But the investment of some time and effort will fix this. If you’re passionate about working the WARC bands when you’re at Signal Point, this may just be a great opportunity to get some … “air” … time, if you know what I mean.
40 Yagi Rotation
As we’re all acutely aware, the 40 yagi has not rotated for years. What most don’t understand, however, is that the problem is not the rotor. If it were that simple we would have fixed it long ago. The problem is that the mast, top thrust bearing, and rotor plate are all totally and hopelessly fused together because of corrosion. Getting that antenna turning awaits replacement of the entire tower. The new aluminum mast and N0YY stainless steel bearings are on hand at Signal Point already and will prevent this problem from recurring. Meanwhile, the antenna continues to tease us by working well enough to keep us out of trouble.
PayPal
We continue to urge the use of PayPal for PJ2T financial transactions. It is safe, very fast, usually involves no fees, and makes life very much easier for CG as I do all of the work to keep our club’s finances moving smoothly. Paper checks are harder for us to deal with, slower, and prone to being lost or damaged. Cash brought to the island is even more difficult to handle. I’m grateful to the bunch of you who have learned how to use PayPal. I hope anyone who has not will take another look. It is safe and secure. If you’re timid about it, contact any officer of the club to help walk you through the process of getting started.
Bugs at Signal Point
For the first time, we had the perimeter around the house sprayed by an exterminator last February. This had a super impact in reducing bugs at the house, so we will continue this now as a regular practice.
W0CG’s Death Stuff
Just a reminder to the membership that years ago I structured my will and trust papers to do everything possible to assure that Signal Point continues to operate as a ham radio platform. My two kids will inherit the house, and they are 100% on board with keeping it operating as at present as a platform for PJ2T operations. I’d be happy to chat with any of you about those details. I want to be sure that ham radio lives on at the house after I’ve checked out.
PJ2T Web Site
I built the web site forever many years ago. In the past few years I have found that I simply don’t have time to keep it up, much less to move it forward technically. I know what I’d like to do, but simply don’t have time. We’re shopping for a member to become the new webmaster…. Volunteers???
N0YY
Most of you know Rick Heinrich, N0YY. Rick was a member for many years, and served as President, and the things he has done for PJ2T are uncountable. We would not have the new antenna switching system, the wonderful operating desks, the aluminum masts and stainless bearings, and many, many other delights without Rick. I recently heard from him – he and Dee have moved from Iowa to southern Virginia where has bought significant acreage and is in the process of moving their farm and livestock assets from the Midwest. He’s working at home mostly now, but will retire soon from Rockwell-Collins. We fervently hope that conditions will permit him and Dee to resume trips to PJ2T once they get stabilized in their new lives.
One reply on “Geoff’s Shorts for August 2018”
Best shorts all month!