[Hallicrafters] ALL Net Participants Please Read!

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

The participation in the Sunday HHI (Halligan's Hallicrafters International) 
20 meter Net has suffered as a result of the poor propagation since about 
2004. The undependable propagation due to the solar cycle quirks has hurt 
the participation in many Nets. Some have even closed up shop.

We need "you" to participate in and to contribute answers to questions asked 
by other check ins. As well as share your news of the latest items to move 
into your Shack with you, items for sale or swap, DX conquests, antenna tips 
etc. In short, we need your presence!

As some of you are aware, my legal limit amplifier was down for nearly three 
years. Nobody could figure out why there was a high voltage arc and what to 
do about it. Finally, K1ND, Dr. Jan Jellema, a former electronics instructer 
at Eastern Michigan University and his compatriot, W8KY, Jim Trout, a former 
engineer for Heathkit, came to my QTH, took the ailing amplifier home with 
them and fixed it!

FYI: W8KY, Jim Trout, worked for Heathkit and was the designer and builder 
of the now infamous Heathkit Twoer, Sixer, and several other rigs. He 
designed a prototype for a 1.25 meter transciever, but the powers that be at 
Heathkit refused to market it. Wonder what they, or James, ever did with 
that prototype?

So I now have a kilowatt operating for the Sunday Net, along with three 
different polarity antennas. If there is reasonable propagation, I should be 
able to hear you. If I can hear you, the 1000 watts should enable you to 
hear me. So try checking into the Net and participating again as you used to 
do.

I know that splatter from the Old Mike Net? on 14.295 has been making copy 
next to impossible for many of you. I did file a complaint with the FCC 
about their wide as a Hippo's buttocks signal, for what good it will do 
nowadays with little, if any, enforcement of Part 95 and its relatives, 
problems are lingering ... I, for one, certainly miss my vintage radio lover 
K4ZDH!

If the problem with the Net is the current NCS, I have no problem whatsoever 
in retiring. I've been there over thirteen years and a new voice at the mike 
certainly would not hurt my feelings.

I am not going to go way, I will still do what I can to promote the cause of 
Hallicrafters. So if one, or two, of you would like to park your rump in the 
NCS chair, you can do so with my blessings! One thing though, since my rump 
has been parked in that chair since March 15, 1999 the fabric is wearing 
through. Several of those coil springs are now protruding and if you sit on 
the chair just right ... OUCH! Don't complain, as you have now officially 
been warned!

Hear you tomorrow from 12:30 - 2:00 PM EDT on 14.293 MHZ USB.

Duane Fischer, W8DBF - WPE8CXO
E-Mail: dfischer at usol.com
Hallicrafters web site: www.w9wze.net
HHRP web site: hhrp.w9wze.net