2013 ARRL Field Day

Last weekend I participated in my amateur radio club (W8BAE) Field Day event.  I can't believe this was my fourth outing with my local club celebrating one of North America's premier amateur radio operating events. Yet again we lucked out with great weather for the weekend although it was warm there seemed to be a near constant breeze that kept us comfortable.  This is our third year operating from a location on private land which works out ideally for us.  Previous Field Day posts can be accessed from the "ARRL Field Day" label located at the end of this post.

I've noticed from past events that we have visiting hams and general public from around the area making the rounds checking out the operating positions at our site.  Because the main purpose of Field Day is to showcase the hobby of amateur radio in a more public forum I decided to make up a simple sign to post on my tent so visitors can see who, what and where.

 Home away from home.

As a camping enthusiast the opportunity to combine these two hobbies in one is something I really look forward to.  Sure it's a bit of work dragging out all the camping gear and disassembling my radio station and carefully packing and transporting it to the site but once it's all set up and I'm on the air having fun its all worth it.

My Field Day station for high frequency digital and CW (Continuous Wave Morse Code radiotelegraphy) is the same as last year with the addition of my new laptop which I used for digital modes.  The second laptop on the right is for running logging software to keep track of contacts made.  Theoretically all digital station activities could be run on one machine but I'm not particularly computer savvy and to me it's just easier to have one person operate and another do the logging on a separate machine.

Leading up to Field Day I streamlined the portability of my station by utilizing the large Pelican case resting under the table in the photograph.  By careful arrangement I was able to fit all my ancillary gear such as power supply, keyers computer interface, other assorted cabling and test equipment into the heavy duty case.  

 Copying the mail.

In total I made 45 contacts during this years event. I've not spent much time on the air lately so my CW is a little rusty.  I made 13 QSO's using Morse Code and 32 QSO's using the digital mode PSK-31.  Each year it seems that digital becomes more popular during field day and I think that is a good thing.  Certainly from a bystanders point of view CW is an interesting thing to witness however if you don't know the code I think it would get boring pretty quick.  Digital modes on the other hand require only a pair of eyes and the ability to read the exchange in plain English off the computer screen.  The digital modes are a great way to show the effectiveness of ham radio to the public as well as the service's long standing tradition of advancing the radio art.

From this remote location in north central Ohio using my HF transceiver, home built vertical antenna and running off generator power I contacted other Field Day stations in these places:

Canada
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Illinois
New York
Alabama
Tennessee
New Jersey
Oklahoma
New Mexico
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
Kentucky
Ohio
Kansas
Michigan
Georgia
Wisconsin

Here's a shot of me taking a photo of my vertical antenna with a nice sunset in the background.  That's the opening picture of this post.

As in previous years I believe our club's outing was a success combining in equal parts lots of ham radio fun, camaraderie and good food shared among friends.

Rock Hunting On The Shore Of Lake Erie

Over Father's Day weekend my son and I traveled north to visit my dad at his home on Lake Erie.  We had a great time doing all the normal Father's Day activities like the cookout, relaxing and catching up on family news.

Dry conditions have lowered the level of the Lake and left the largest expanses of shoreline exposed that I have ever seen so one afternoon my son and I went rock hounding along the beach.  We found many different kinds of stones; granite, quartz, sandstone and pale limestone all worn smooth by relentless wave action and abrasive sand.

I'm fascinated by nature and the Earth sciences.  The beach is an amazing place to witness the raw power of nature and it's beauty.

So why in the world would I drag fifty pounds of rock home?  There is a method to my madness.  I've noticed that the weeds like to grow up around my air conditioning unit and to make it easier to keep the area clean I put the smooth limestone between the house and the cement pad after killing the weeds.

Sure I could have gone to a landscaping dealer and paid for some river stone by the pound but it was much more satisfying to spend some time with my son beach combing our way up and down a half mile of shoreline filling a couple buckets.  So not only did we get some free landscape materials but every time I mow around this corner of the house the smooth white stones will remind of the fun we had gathering them up.

Recumbent Ride -- Kokosing Gap Trail

On Saturday the RoadQueen joined me in Knox County Ohio to ride the Kokosing Gap Trail.  As my favorite central Ohio railtrail I'm always in the mood to hit this greenway but this time was special because it was the RoadQueen's first time out on the Kokosing.

We got a late morning start and the ride started cool but soon enough the temperature climbed into the mid 70's.  In my opinion a near perfect range for bicycling.  The great majority of the Kokosing Gap trail is tree lined and shaded as it follows the Valley skirting the river and at times crossing it via old iron railroad bridges.

Lots of folks were out taking advantage of the nice weather and natural resources.  From a bridge we watched some kayakers floating the currents of the Kokosing River.  They certainly looked like they were enjoying it.

Old Mill at Howard, Ohio

Continuing on at the end of the bike trail we traveled east four more miles on a state route until we reached the Bridge of Dreams; which spans the Mohican river near the village of Brinkhaven.  After the bridge we connected back to the terminus of the Kokosing Gap Trail via a 4 mile multi-use packed clay trail called the Mohican Valley Trail.  When I ride the Kokosing Gap I like to add on the Bridge of Dreams spur to bump my route up over 30 miles.

We had a great time and it was a day of several firsts.  While the Kokosing is old hat to me I enjoyed showing it off to the RoadQueen.  With this ride complete she has logged her longest ride on a bicycle so far at 36 miles besting her old record by over 10 miles on a new to her route.

Generally I always carry a camera when I ride but this time the RoadQueen took charge of photography.  A first for me is seeing images of myself on the HP Velotechnik recumbent.  I admit I do present quite a strange visage when viewed from the rear.  It looks like I have no legs!

Here's a short video clip courtesy of the RoadQueen that shows that the HP Velo is indeed as comfortable as it looks.  Thanks RoadQueen -Great camera eye!

RCT On The Kokosing Gap Trail

Kokosing Gap Trail/ Bridge of Dreams
Ride Time:  2:44  
Distance:  36.25 miles
Average Speed:  13.2 mph
Guest Photographer/Videographer:  The RoadQueen

Recent Turnings

Here is a few photographs of my latest wood turnings I have produced since warm weather has allowed me back into my workshop.  These diminutive spindles are pipe tampers.  A tamper is a smoking accessory that allows the ash and unburnt tobacco that clings to the walls of a pipe bowl to be gently compressed and pushed into the ember keeping it lit and smoking.

This tamp made from an unknown species of tropical wood is a shape I call the "Classic" based on the tradition beads and coves cut into the wood.  I like to use one of my wooden tampers when I smoke my meerschaum pipe instead of a regular metal pipe nail just to be certain that the tool won't scratch the delicate surface of the white mineral my pipe is made of.

Because wood is a natural material and trees come in many different species the characteristics of grain, color and hardness can vary greatly.  To me one of the most rewarding aspects of woodworking is experimenting and learning about the various kinds of wood available.  On the lathe I've found that generally the more dense and hard a wood is the better it turns. 

In continuation from my last post this is the piece of African Blackwood that I had just begun to work as it nears completion. While it is considered one of the hardest woods in the world with care and patience it yields a beautiful turning with crisp sharp edges and a deep ebony-like hue.  

This is an interesting note from my favorite online resource about wood: www.wood-database

 "To be considered the original ebony, African Blackwood was imported and used in Ancient Egypt thousands of years ago. Even the name “ebony” has an Egyptian derivation as “hbny”—which has been shown to refer to primarily toDalbergia melanoxylon, rather than the species which are considered to be ebony today: such as those in the Diospyros genus."

The wood lathe is unique because often work piece is cut not only along the grain but often transitional cuts expose the end grain and by nature because the stock is spinning and becomes round the growth rings or layers will appear concentric and interesting.  

Another wood which I do have a little experience with is Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera), also known by it's aliases Hedge Apple and Bois d' arc.  The French term Bois d' arc translates to "bow wood" and I can testify that it does indeed make a good bow.

Although I've used Osage before this is the first time I've spun a piece on the lathe. It works as well for turning as it does on the archery range.  Over time and with exposure to UV light the lemon yellow will give way to deeper oranges and honey browns.

New Spur Drive And Live Center

Last Friday I received a package containing a new spur drive and live center for my vintage Craftsman wood lathe.  These two precision components are responsible for holding a blank of wood securely while transferring the torque from the motor and allowing the piece to spin freely. 

Sears quit manufacturing my specific model many years ago but luckily all lathe shafts are set up using Morse Tapers.  Morse Taper invented by Stephen A. Morse in the mid-1860's is one of several styles of machine taper that are used to connect bits, cutters and chucks to machine tools.

I wasn't quite sure which size taper my machine uses so with a quick online search I learned that the seven sizes of Morse Tapers are easily distinguishable by the diameter of the taper at the widest point. After knocking out my old centers I measured their diameters with a caliper and consulting the chart I easily determined my lathe uses a #1 MT at both the head stock and tail stock shafts.  I located the parts at my favorite woodworking online vendor. While the parts were inexpensive at around $20 each they appear well made and will work fine for the small scale work I like to do.

The spur drive (above) has a pointed pin in the very center that is spring loaded.  The cone of the pin bottoms out on a pilot hole drilled in the end of the workpiece and then retracts under spring tension to allow the four spurs to dig into the wood allowing transfer of torque.  

The live center (above) spins smooth on bearings and supports the turning blank at the tail stock.

Along with the components I also ordered some blanks of various exotic hardwoods that I've never used before.  In this series of photographs is a super dense and heavy specimen called African Blackwood.  This Ebony like species is known to be one of the hardest and densest woods in the world and I can say without a doubt it is some of the toughest stuff I've ever put a gouge to.

The surface of the wood appears shiny even after just being roughed out by the gouge.  I can tell already that the African Blackwood will take on a beautiful luster once I get to the final polishing stages.

Sunday Road Bike Ride

Springtime always keeps me busy with a multitude of chores around the house. Lawn mowing; gardening and basic messing about in the yard and shed are things I always look forward to after a long winter cooped up indoors.  Yesterday I rebuilt a new retaining wall around my south facing flower bed which because of maximum sun exposure is where I grow tomatoes.  

About fifteen years ago I boxed in this bed using standard landscape timbers, the ones that are about three inches tall and have the radius sides.  This lumber held up fairly well over the years but as time passed they sunk into the soil and slowly decomposed.  This time around I decided to go with a more substantial 4" x 6" treated timber to better contain mulch and keep the grass clippings from the mower on the lawn side of the retaining wall.  

At the two corners and along the span where the timbers met I used an electric chain saw to cut lap joints and then drilled a 1-1/8" hole to insert an oak dowel pin. This method similar to that used in timber frame barn construction will keep the pieces sturdy and square.

As much fun as I have with the domestic jobs I can't resist the call to get out on two wheels.  After breakfast this morning I was feeling a little restless and the perfect antidote for that condition is a bike ride.  I loaded up the Motobecane road bike and headed over to Lexington, Ohio where I caught the B & O rail trail heading southbound.

Since I got the new Vittoria Rubino slicks for the road bike I have really been enjoying the nice ride and speed from the new rubber.  The conditions were ideal with just a little breeze and temperature of about 80 degrees F.  The southern end of the trail I rode from Lexington to Butler, Ohio was 11.7 miles and I made it down to the turnaround in 41 minutes with an average speed of 17 mph. I felt great and knowing I'd have the advantage of a little tail breeze to help me out I decided to put the hammer down on the return leg.

Even when I'm racing the clock for time I don't spend a lot of time obsessing over my computer. I usually just leave it set on trip distance and occasionally glance down to see my forward velocity.  Though I was riding long stretches at 19 to 20 mph it wasn't enough to bump my average up over 18 which is a little goal I've been trying to crack.  Nevertheless I did manage to increase my average almost a whole mile per hour on the second half of the ride which also happens to be slightly uphill the whole way so I'm happy with my ride without a doubt.

  

The village of Bellville, Ohio must have put on a free community refuse collection and they set up the dumpsters along the bike trail.  Look at that somebody threw away a perfectly good half a boat!

B & O Trail: Lexinton - Butler - Lexington

Bike:  Motobecane Le Champion

Ride Time:  1:18:25

Distance:  23.3 miles

Average Speed:  17.8 mph

Max Speed:  25.1 mph

Cool Bicycle Art

Form and Function

More than just a collection of welded steel tubes to please the eye this sculpture doubles as a bike rack.  Cleveland, Ohio

Cycling Update

Last Tuesday I got some new tires for my road bike.  I've been thinking about trying out 28mm tires but I ended up with these regular 25mm slicks from Vittoria.  I like slicks and the price was right so I decided to give them a try.  I always enjoy new tires and look forward to that first ride.

I mounted the clinchers and went for a spin on my out and back time trial course.  The tires feel fast and comfortable as a 100 psi skinny tire can.

20 Miles for time

Ride Time:  1:06:49

Distance:  20 miles

Average Speed: 17.9 mph

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Here in north central Ohio we've had 5 sunny warm days in the 70's and I could stand it no longer.  I had to get out and ride my mountain bike and I figured the trails at Mohican would be dry enough for my first knobby tired ride of the season. I got an early start and it was pleasant to get out on a Friday during the day to enjoy the solitude that's soon to be gone from the trails and roadways come Saturday.  To my satisfaction the trail was hard and fast but had not totally dried out.  It turned out a great day to be in the woods.

  

Leaves just spouting. Spring time comes to the Clear Fork Gorge.

The Motobecane dual suspension rode perfect. To get an idea of trail conditions look at the following picture.  This shot shows how clean my bike is after over 20 miles of single track.  The wet spots on the trail numbered a half dozen and most of those were just places were the trail was saturated from nearby natural springs.

I spent 5 hours and 40 minutes in the park counting stops for food and photography.  It is possible to ride about 17 miles of single track and then bail out to the pavement to cross the Gorge at the west end of the route but I felt up to it so I decided to ride the full 25 mile single track loop.  I took my time and didn't worry about racing the clock just enjoyed the day and tried to keep moving in a forward direction.  Traveling completely off road by bicycle in hilly country for 25 miles is a huge accomplishment even if it takes all afternoon.  I would estimate my total ride time would be 4 hours with an average speed of 6.25 mph.

Gear shown is 1st. 22T chainring, 36T sprocket.

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Springtime is motorcycle time.  The Road Queen and I met up after work on Thursday for an 80 mile loop through the hills of north central Ohio.  I love to pedal but the warm weather always brings out the urge to twist a throttle and really extend my two-wheel range.    

BikeSnobNYC In The Cleve!

This weekend we headed up to that city by the lake to hear BikeSnobNYC shamelessly promote his new book Bike Snob Abroad.  I live about a hundred miles by car from Cleveland so needless to say I just threw the Ti General Purpose Bike on the rack and motored my way north instead of pedaling.  I stopped on the way and picked up the Road Queen and her bike. 

The way I like to visit any city is to get my car parked as soon as possible and take to the streets on foot or better yet by bicycle.  We found a spot a couple blocks from the Market Garden Brewery where Bike Snob was set to appear and with a short spin we arrived on the scene.  The weather turned out to be wonderful on Saturday with a sky clear and blue and the blossoming trees soaking up the spring time sun.

  

A few of us rode our bikes to the book signing.

It was great fun to meet Eben Weiss aka bikesnobnyc.  I've been following his blog for a few years now and really I have to give him the credit for inspiring me to start my own blog here on the web.  His presentation was quite entertaining and he is just as funny orating as he is writing.  The fresh ales served up by the Market Garden Brewery were also top notch and I highly recommend having a taste if you ever find yourself in Cleveland.

At the signing we met a guy named James who rode his home-built long wheel base recumbent.  Kudos to him for braving the mean streets on that thing.  When I ride in the city I prefer my city bike.  James is a computer programmer by day but in his off time he likes to unwind by welding steel tubes and he seems pretty good at it.  Check out some of his work on his flickr page: 

James' Flickr page

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After the event we took off on our bikes to explore the city.  We planned a route that would lead us northward towards the lake to a couple city parks on the water front.  Bikes are a natural way to get around and see the sights.

In no time we cleared the dirty industrial sections of town and after passing through a made for bikes tunnel under some railroad tracks the Great Lake Erie came into view.

Our first stop was Edgewater Park.  Continuing west we toured through the suburb of Lakewood and ended up at Lakewood Park.

From this point we found some good views of the Cleveland skyline looking back across the water.

The water temperature at the time of my writing this is 43 degrees F.  While the air temperature was in the 60's the breeze coming off the water was quite chilly so as the sun started sinking in the west we decided to head inland and made our way the seven miles or so back to where we left the car.

Bike Snob Abroad book trailer

Early 90's Diamond Back Apex

This was my first serious mountain bike.   I purchased the Diamond Back Apex at North Division Cycle and Ski in Spokane, Washington in 1992.  The frame is good old Tange Chromoly steel and rides as smooth and steady as it did twenty years ago.  The bike was equipped with the long discontinued Deore DX mountain bike group that featured the then cutting edge under bar integrated trigger shifter/brake lever pods.  Back in the day I think the bike was considered just a basic mid-level mountain bike but to me I was on top of the world as I cut my mountain bike teeth in the Rocky Mountains of Washington, Idaho, Western Montana and Alberta, Canada.   

I've been dragging this bike along with me through the years and while it has spent much of it's latter years hanging in semi-retirement I get it out once in a while and take a sentimental spin.  Just for fun I converted it to a single speed in the mid 2000's.  It's a good no-nonsense ride around town and quite zippy once the 46-16T gears are spun up.  Another thing I did away with at that time was the flashy red paint job and hideous 1990's neon accents.  Primer gray lends an old school look that I find pleasing.

   

Keeping the old Diamond Back around really paid off because my son who is 12 years old had already outgrown his Trek that he got in 2011 by the end of last summer.  I installed a spare set of 26" wheels and some fresh tubes and he was off.  I wasn't sure he'd go for the single speed because he's grown accustomed to shifting gears.  His initial comments were "Wow! it's pretty light" and "I like the gray paint it looks cool!"  As they say the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.

The bike will be fine for the shorter around town riding that he does and he can use the experience to help decide what kind of bike he may want next.  I wouldn't mind spending a bit more for a good bike for him now that he is ready for a full size frame and wheels.  I just want him to be very sure of the style of bike to best fit his own needs as a rider.

Testing One-Handed stability.

During the initial test ride we were out about 2 miles from town taking a picture break when suddenly the rear inner tube on the Diamond Back let out its air in a long pssssss.  I had just put a fresh tube into the rim so I'm not sure what happened but I went to the local bike shop and got some new tubes.  We'll do a thorough autopsy on the flat and should be up and rolling soon.