[Elecraft] Airships...

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

You may get your chance to haul your KX1 or even a K2 aboard a dirigible
yet. 

Friedrichshafen, where Count von Zeppelin built his famous airships from the
LZ 1 that flew in 1900 to the huge Hindenburg in the 1930's is once again
producing dirigibles. The company, Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, is currently
focusing on dirigibles for tourism, but plans include airships for long
international flights after gaining the necessary regulatory approvals. 

The prototype Zeppelin NT has an aluminum and carbon-fiber skeleton that is
lighter than the Zeppelins of the past, and a skin of Tedlar foil and
polyester fabric that is lighter, stronger, and more water resistant than
the cotton-based fabrics of the old airships. 

I haven't kept up with all the latest from Friedrichshafen, but I recall a
news article that a Zeppelin was purchased by DeBeers to use for diamond
exploration work in South Africa. Their website is
http://www.zeppelin-nt.com/index.htm

After working years in which my job entailed being regularly jammed into an
aluminum cigar and launched through the air on trips that often lasted 10 or
15 hours, the image of traveling on a Zeppelin at a leisurely pace that
allows my internal clock to keep up with the sun is mighty appealing. 

It's sort of like the difference between making a cell phone call and
working friend on CW. Each has its place, even if one is "old technology".
Implemented using modern materials and engineering, it can give the "old
technology" new life - sort of like Elecraft does for "radio communications"
<G> 

Ron AC7AC