Here for all to see is a re-creation of the highlights of the tower-related mass-emails flying crazily all around. Geoff W0CG has spearheaded this project with seemingly boundless energy. Seemingly tirelessly. But let’s the rest of us do a reality check, and confess we know full well Geoff’s energy is not unbounded and that we know full well how tired he must be. Heck, a lot of us are getting tired just watching Geoff work.
The Caribbean Contesting Consortium has received a significant gift from our friend Al Rousseau, W1FJ. Al recently purchased a new Elecraft K3S, then graciously donated his existing Elecraft K3 transceiver to the club. As a result the club now owns four K3 transceivers! The new K3 had been checked out, updated, calibrated by Elecraft and arrived here at the N7IR radio ranch still sealed in its Elecraft shipping box. Al requested that the donation be dedicated to the original crew of PJ3CC, who won the 1967 CQWW CW contest from the Coral Cliff Hotel. Gene, KB7Q, who arranged the donation, had a small placard made that lists the members of the PJ3CC team, including Al (then W1FJJ).
Thanks to Gary, K9SG, who is a past member of the CCC, we now have a newer, better antenna to use as a fixed tribander at PJ2T. If you’ve operated at PJ2T you know we have Really Big Arrays to use in the very high-traffic directions – pointed at the United States and Europe. (In fact you’re probably aware by now that we are completely upgrading the Europe Array). In order to cover other important directions, we use a selection of other fixed and rotary antennas which require care and feeding too. Gary, who was active at PJ2T from 2003 to 2011, has given the club a Bencher Skyhawk.
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in,” is what Michael said in The Godfather: Part III. I am not a Mafioso, but I think that I know a little about how he felt. After four years as CCC President and a smooth transition to a new President, I was looking forward to kicking back, playing on the radio, and generally enjoying myself. That didn’t work out at the CCC Annual Meeting at Dayton last month, when I was elected CCC Treasurer. Just when I thought I was out…
Because it was such a monumental occasion, being the 50th anniversary of the first entry into the CQ Worldwide contest from Signal Point, we opted to QSL 100% for this contest. Geoff, W0CG, designed a foldout commemorative card and arranged for printing by a vendor in Vancouver who has done super work for us before. PVRC donated $300 of the printing cost and our former member K4LT (now AD8CW) also donated $300. NA2U kicked in $50 and the club covered the small remaining balance. From there W9VA did a TREMENDOUS job printing and sticking labels and sending out the cards for distribution. W0TT, W0CG, and W1FJ himself also helped with the distribution.
Pete Gladysz, K8PGJ, recently joined the CCC after enjoying successful contest operations at Signal Point, and stunned the club by making a $5000 donation to the Europe tower project. This foundational support at our time of great need is in addition to other donations of equipment and cash since Pete began coming to PJ2T. Pete’s gift appears to be what brought us to critical mass, putting is over the threshold and prompting the decision at our annual Dayton meeting to go ahead with the tower project. We’re also grateful to Marty, K2PLF and Bill, W9VA for their large donations to the tower fund, as well as several other members who have made four-figure donations each. It’s VERY important that everyone realize that while donations of any amount add up, we all remember other members may not be able to donate this kind of cash. PJ2T is a team, and everyone supports what we do in their own way. Thanks Pete!
