In case you are not aware, there’s a big hamfest this weekend in Austin. All the details here:

http://www.austinsummerfest.info/

73, Dave

All who are interested, please take a look at the information below:

DATE: July 31, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Michael Smith (N5TGL)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): TBD

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

DATE: July 24, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Owen Morgan (KF5CZO)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): TBD

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

Sunday, July 22, 2012, 5 AM at the Denny’s on North Fry Road, Katy, TX

The annual Katy Flatland Century Bike Ride is this Sunday, July 22. There are 7 different distances (25 to 100 miles) and 7 rest stops so it would be nice to have at least 10 operators. If you would like to come out and support the ride please leave a comment on this webpage with your T shirt size (not that it will be necessarily available). We will meet at the Denny’s on North Fry at 5am. The ride will start from Rhodes Stadium in Katy.

Ride maps for Short distances are at:
http://www.northwestcyclingclub.com/images/files/2012%20KFC%20Route%20Map%2025_31_38_44_62.pdf

For 82 an 100 miles:
http://www.northwestcyclingclub.com/images/files/2012%20KFC%20Route%20Map%2082_100.pdf

Calendar of Upcoming Public Service Events:
http://harriscountyares.org/events/

DATE: July 17, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Ron Litt (K5HM)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): TBD

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

The antenna replacement project is a GO for this Saturday about 8AM at Fire Station No. 2. We won’t be able to change out the tower top antenna like we had hoped, looks like the Fire Dept is still using it after all! But we will be able to change out the broken antenna on the side of the tower which should improve things.
Dave Scott and I will be doing the work but all are welcome to come and watch. It shouldn’t take long to get this done, an hour or two at the most. This is all WEATHER PERMITTING of course.
73, Dave KD5FX

Many thanks to the West I-10 Fire Dept and Dave, WD8RZA for today’s work!

Here’s some pictures from today…

On the ladder, ready to go up:

Going UP! Please keep your hands and arms inside the ride at all times:

Dave, WD8RZA working away up there about 80 feet up!

Another view…

And one more view from the other side.

The 147.200 KT5TX repeater seems to be working much better! I am able to hit the repeater from my QTH way out west in Katy on just 4 watts where it took 20+ before! Please comment or email in your repeater reports!

This email status from Bill Werzner about the USS TEXAS and it’s recent problems with leaks….

From: Bill Werzner
Sent: Tue, Jul 10, 2012 9:42 am
Subject: Fwd: Fw: Flooding and emergency repairs for Battleship TEXAS

To HVRA Board Members and associates: Guys, here is the latest from BB 35 – yes, we’re still fighting leaks. I had docent duty on Sunday, Derek and I met at the park with the idea of getting some photos of radio gear for “The GL” and a possible future program. Unfortunately, the sky literally opened up on us with a deluge for over one hour. We were unable to leave the parking lot to venture aboard – so, we will try again next Sunday the 15th. around 9 AM if all goes as planned. Reid and I both have tables (one each) reserved for HVRA at Texas City this Saturday. I plan to pull some of the Bob Wood Estate items that I don’t think will sell – or bring much money in our auctions to sell at one of the tables. I will also have a donation jar for the Battleship Texas and welcome any items y’all might want to donate to help the ship. Hope to see you at the Doyle Convention Center in Texas City on Saturday. Bill Werzner, President, HVRA P.S. Joe & Mike – you might want to pass this message on to members of your club to find if any members would like to donate items for BB 35 at our table. All proceeds from the sale of those items will go directly to the ship. Also, please bring any pertinent literature or pictures of BTARS for display at Reid Shipp’s table. Thanks again!!!

———- Forwarded message ———-

Work on the damaged monopile mooring system with a barge-mounted crane was delayed due to lightning, Pumping is underway after additional leakage was detected into the aft port blisters and adjacent tanks. Andy’s Monday afternoon report is below, as well the Friday and Sunday additions.

Herb

—– Forwarded Message —-
Subject: Flooding and emergency repairs for Battleship TEXAS

Current Status:
· Pumping is ongoing from Aft Port Blisters D-92-I-V and D-94-I-V and there is water in Blister D-84-I-V and (tank/void) D-96 and D-41-P.
· Oil clean up operations resumed. Boom was moved for about an hour to allow barge and tug for monopile repairs into slip.
· Salvage and dive team opened hatches and discovered water in D-96 and D-41-P. Barge arrived onsite but was unable to start repairs due to weather (use of crane suspended with lightning in the area).
· Ship remains open to public.
Next Steps:
· Ship staff will continue to monitor pumps for the next 24 hours minimally to ensure water inflow has ceased or is controllable and limited to blisters.
· Oil cleanup onboard will continue Monday-Friday.
· Salvage and dive team will begin work on monopiles when weather allows. Blisters, voids, and tanks with water inflow our holding water will be pumped and investigated.

Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 4:34 PM
Current Status:
· Pumping is ongoing from Aft Port Blisters D-92-I-V and D-94-I-V and there is water in D-84-I-V. Also pumped water out of D-12 for ~2 hours today, this was water leftover after patching. The water in the blisters suggests a leak/s with an inflow rate of ~50gpm.
· Oil clean up operations suspended over the weekend
· Salvage and dive team left pumps aboard but did not work over the weekend.
· Ship opened to the public on Saturday and remains open.
Next Steps:
· Ship staff will continue to monitor pumps for the next 24 hours minimally to ensure water inflow has ceased or is controllable and limited to blisters.
· Oil cleanup onboard will resume Monday and is currently projected to be ongoing into August.
· Salvage and dive team will return on Monday to repair monopiles and recover pumps left over the weekend. They will also further investigate Port blisters.

Sent: Friday, July 06, 2012 4:29 PM
Current Status:
· Pumping is ongoing as needed and ship has <.5 degree list to Starboard. Monopile #3 has broken two more bolts today and is currently secured by mooring lines and one chain.
· Oil clean up operations continued throughout the day. The absorbents attached to the boom were replaced.
· Salvage and dive team placed additional patches on Starboard blisters around B-79-I-V.
Next Steps:
· Salvage and dive team, in addition to ship staff, will monitor pumps for the next 24 hours minimally to ensure water inflow has ceased or is controllable and limited to blisters.
· Oil cleanup onboard will be suspended over the weekend and is currently projected to be ongoing into August.
· Salvage and dive team will finish clean-up and demobilization this evening leaving a minimal pump team overnight. On Monday they will return to repair monopiles and recover pumps left over the weekend.
· Ship will reopen to the public Saturday, however only 2nd Deck and above will be accessible.

Sent: Friday, July 06, 2012 8:57 AM
Current Status:
· Pumping on Starboard blisters to eliminate ~ 1.5 degree Starboard list- specifically targeting Blister tanks B-75-I-V, B-77-I-V, B-79-I-V and pumping on blisters on Port side centered around C-84-I-V.
· Oil clean up operations continue.
· Salvage and dive team placed additionally patches on Starboard blisters ~Fr 95 and Blister D-95-I-V.
Next Steps:
· Ship staff will monitor pumps for the next 24 hours minimally to ensure water inflow has ceased or is controllable and limited to blisters.
· Oil cleanup onboard is currently projected to be ongoing into August.
· Salvage and dive team will dewater Starboard Blisters (B-75-I-V, B-77-I-V, B-79-I-V) and continue with clean-up and de-mobilizing.
· Ship will be closed to the public while salvage and dive team demobilize- it is currently anticipated that ship will reopen Saturday.
Additional commentary:
· As we fluctuate between a Port and Starboard list, we are exposing leaks into the blisters in the vicinity of the wind/water line. We hope to eventually stabilize the ship with an even keel and eliminate this problem.
· We will most likely still have some water coming into blister tanks that will be manageable under our previous pumping regime.
· We currently do not have any known water ingress into the inner portions of the ship.

Just a reminder that our monthly club meeting is coming up on Monday night at 7:30.
Fire Station No. 4 on Franz road as usual.
The KARS monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:30PM at West I-10 Fire Station #4 on Franz Road, just east of Grand Parkway (99). Talk-in on the 147.200(+) MHz repeater, PL 141.3. Come join us!

DATE: July 10, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Ron McDonald (WB5FFD0

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): What Ham Radio projects are you working on?

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.