Due to difficult short and long range propagation issues on 40 meters over the last few months and the need to keep the NET active for CARS I have investigated and tested a suggested method to help remedy the issue.
Mike Kb6USJ, Mark N6IV and I have tested communication using the Northern WEB SDR receiver as a secondary receiver in our operating positions. This morning I could not hear Mike or Mark in Pittsburg but both were very readable of 5×7 into Northern Utah. Further, I have meet a small groupd every morning on 7.198 and they are form Idaho, Aurora Co., Chino Valley Arizona. The station in AZ comes in at a usual 5×8 plus but CO and Idaho are Zero here in Pittsburg. However all can be heard at the Northern Utah SDR.
For next Monday and as long as necessary, I will monitor the SDR as well as direct checkins. I strongly suggest that others do the same so that we can keep the 40 meter net going,
At the Evergreen Aviation @ Space Museum Mc Minnville, Oregon
Howard Hughes at the controls of the Spruce Goose
To close out our trip to Oregon we included a stop in Minnville, Oregon, and visited the Evergreen Aviation air museum. The museum now houses the “Spruce Goose”, you may recall this iconic aircraft was once put on display adjacent to the Queen Mary under the white dome at Long Beach harbor.
The white dome now has been repurposed as a departure point for luxury cruise lines. Lin and I have not seen the “Spruce Goose” for several decades now but we have to say it is in remarkable condition.
Howard Hughes was given a military contract during WWII to design and construct a transport plane for troops and equipment. Because of the ongoing, war resources needed to construct this huge plane would put a strain on other areas of war production. A stipulation was put into the contract that the plane would have to be made out of wood which was plentiful. Howard Hughes was a experienced engineer and was the head of his aviation company. Hughes and his company took on the challenge of building the largest aircraft ever built.
Some years had passed before the plane was completed and ready for its first test flight, the flight was short but the aircraft which was flying boat design rose briefly out of the waters and was under controlled flight. The war ended the military turned its attention to development of jet aircraft. Howard Hughes put the “Spruce Goose” in storage having satisfied the stipulations of the contract.
The Evergreen Aviation museum does have other aircraft on display and also another building you can explore that houses the Space museum. I highly recomend a visit if your traveling through the area.
The “Spruce Goose” was not made out of Spruce but Birch trees.
Radio Operator position, the radio is off but the oscillator of the key on right is on. I tapped out a few wordsHoward Hughes sat here in the pilots chair
On a recent visit to Portland I took advantage of an invitation to make a visit to a restoration project that is ongoing in Salem Oregon. This project involves a complete restoration of a B-17G Aircraft the plane is affectionately called the “The Lacy Lady”. The Lady was bought from a surplus air strip at the end of World War 2, by a entrepreneur who wanted the aircraft for his fledging service station business in Milwaukie, Oregon. His marketing idea was very successful, he mounted the aircraft above his service station on a pedestal for those traveling down the road could see in plain site. It came to be known as “The Gas Station Bomber” and became an attraction in Milwaukie, Oregon. It remained on the pedestal from 1947 until 2014 before it was moved to McNary Field. The B-17 Foundation seeks to honor WWII veterans by returning this specific aircraft to a flyable condition for future generations to learn about history, and the sacrifice that countless air crews made during WWII.
An artist who recreated the nose art on the aircraft needed a model and yes the Lacy Lady does exist and I met her during my visit she will be the sweetheart of the air on this B-17
Best of Luck to all the volunteers in this endeavor, and also Thank You Burt for a great tour!
More information can be obtained by going to the B-17 Alliance Foundation at http://b17alliance.com
Original Radio GearFCC Regulations reguire updated RadiosNew Radios and Avionics will be installedA wooden mold set for metal fabrication on the wingNose sectionsNose sectionsTail section ready for restoration processI think I know this craftsmanGun TurretsVolunteers at Work
