Several True Believers have written to ask about the status of the MRHS Newsletter. Some wondered if they had been dropped from the mailing list. Others invoked more sinister scenarios of the impact of the government shut down. The most compassionate wondered if we had run out of money. The truth is more mundane. Now it can be told: your editor simply ran out of steam for producing the Newsletter after 42 issues!
However occasional issues like this one will be published when there are particular items of interest that need distribution. Like, for example, the ones below...
> K6KPH to Participate in Straight Key Night 2013
Straight Key Night (SKN) is that annual ARRL sponsored on the air event in which Morse aficionados take up their mechanical keys to contact others of like mind. By tradition, the event takes place on New Year's Eve (who says radio ops don't know how to party?)
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K6KPH normally participates in SKN since the station it represents, KPH, was known as the code factory by many. But this year
Chief Operator Dillman will be away for the event so participation was uncertain. However Sr. Morse Operator Mike Payne stepped up and volunteered to pound brass for SKN for K6KPH will be able to maintain the tradition.
Fair warning: Mike particularly likes his 1918 Vibroplex Blue Racer and is one of the elite few who can handle this speed key in the was it was meant to be used. However, as always, K6KPH ops will reply at the speed of the calling station so don't be dissuaded if you hear MP ripping along at a great rate of knots. He'll be happy to slow down - or speed up!
MP Slings Code With His Blue Racer
We have just received word that at least one guest operator will be joining Mike for SKN, coming all the way from exotic Canada for the event! Why not join in the fun as a guest op at K6KPH. You're welcome to do so for SKN or on any other Saturday. Just drop a line to info@radiomarine.org to let us know you're coming.
> Tree Takes Down KSM Feed Lines
Mom nature took a hand a couple of weeks ago when a large tree called it quits at the transmitting station in the midst of a wind storm. The tree fell across the open wire trunk line at the south side of the transmitter building, taking with it cross arms and feed lines. A crack crew from
Pacific Slope Tree Cooperative quickly cleared the remains of the fallen giant so that we could access the lines and poles.
Transmitter Supervisor Steve Hawes surveyed the damage and was able to return KSM 22Mc to operation. But KSM 4Mc remains unavailable until full repairs are made.
This past Saturday Bill Ruck of the Maintenance Department, with the assistance of two strapping lads from Coast Guard station NMC next door, was able to begin repairs. But a man lift will be required to put things right and that will have to await the new year.
As Steve Hawes is fond of saying, "It's always something". And indeed it is when the responsibility for a large transmitting and receiving operation and all of its infrastructure rests on the shoulders of volunteers. While there were once fleets of riggers, engineers, maintenance man and operations and administrative staff, now it's just us.
Why not consider making an end of year donation to the MRHS to help us with these efforts? We squeeze the most out of every doppar and you get a tax deduction. What a deal.
> Stephen King Visits WMH Transmit Site
The newest addition to the MRHS Operations Staff is Friar Stephen King. That's right, he's a friar just like Friar Tuck. But unlike that mythical character Fr. King can sling code at a great rate with his chrome Vibroplex Original.
Steve is a great guy, always ready with a laugh and a joke. But when he sits down at Position 4 he's all business. A few hours later he hands in his log - filled with contacts made across the world.
Steve's visiting his home town of Baltimore over the holidays and volunteered to visit the site of WMH, on a pier on the harbor.
We knew of WMH through a wonderful photo of the operating position purchased via eBay:
We were actually able to make contact with Gerrit Veenhof, the operator shown in the photo. How would you like to be sitting in his operating position today? Eddystone receivers in front of you, a Marconi Atalanta to your right, a RCA CR-88 to your left and a 51J-4 in the background. And that's not to mention the transmitter control panel and the proud call sign on the wall. We don't know about you but we're ready to climb into our time machine.
Needless to say, Steve's generous offer offer to check things out was warmly received.
Frankly, we assumed there's be nothing left of the site. But astoundingly, the WMH towers still stand at the pier - with the WMH call letters still on them!
Wow, what a find. There is a rumor that the WMH transmitters may still be in storage at the site. Operative King will conduct further investigations, the results of which will be presented in these pages. Let's hope for the best.
> MRHS Merchandise
Support the MRHS and look cool at the same time. Such a deal! We've got hats, mugs, T shirts, belt buckles and bumper stickers, all with variations of the MRHS logo. Get a hat and mug for yourself and a put yourself in solid with the XYL by getting her a MRHS hoodie.
Just click on the images above to go to the MRHS True Believers store and browse our offerings. Thanks!
