| May 24: Still more changes |
It appears that Buck Buchanan will not be able to go with Mike Collett to Canyonlands Overlook. So the new “Plan A” is that John Lloyd, K7JL, will go with Mike; Kelly Anderson, KD7OD, will do the Green River fire station; and Jim Rudnicki, NZ7T, will set up the Green River remote.
But there is a chance John Lloyd might not be able to go, in
which case “Plan B” will be activated. In this scenario,
Kelly will go with Mike and Jim will do both the fire station and
the remote. All clear? Good. Stay tuned.
| May 23: New Policy on Trailer Movement |
Brent Thomas has corresponded with Mitch Vetere and discovered that there will be a new policy this year regarding movement of the boaters' trailers. Rather than drive the boaters' vehicles, Cruise personnel will simply give the boaters a ride and let them take their own vehicles to retrieve their boats.
Last year, given a lack of people to move vehicles and trailers, some of the amateurs got involved giving rides. Whether they will need to do so this year is still unclear.
Mitch's e-mail also alerts us to the need for another operator to go along on a rescue boat. If anyone knows someone who would like to go for a boat ride, let us know!
| May 22: New Operator for Green River found |
Brent Thomas tells us that during the Dayton Hamvention he was able to recruit Kelly Anderson, KD7OD, to set up the Green River station. We will look forward to hearing Kelly from about noon on Friday through sunset Saturday (or until the trailers have all been moved to Moab).
Still needed is someone to set up a cross-band repeater,
set up an in-band repeater, or just park and manually relay
traffic, on a hill south of Green River.
| May 16: Operator for Green River Needed Again |
We are once again in need of someone to set up HF and VHF stations at the fire station in Green River, Utah. John Reynolds had been planning to do it, but then remembered another commitment. He writes:
Dear Mike and Brent,I spoke too soon on Saturday as I committed myself for Green River. It had completely left my mind that on that weekend we've got to get ready for our oldest daughter's missionary farewell the following day (Sunday). I got so excited about going to the Friendship Cruise that I totally spaced it.
I apologize and please put me down for next year, wherever I can be of help. I can do the Green River post and then pull out and go over to the MGM spot afterwards, like I have in the past if you wish. I'll look forward to it !
Please let me know if you got this okay.
TNX es 73,
John Reynolds N7QF
| May 15: Operators for Green River and MGM Bottom |
Brent Thomas reports that we now have operators for two more
key points: the Green River fire station, the starting point; and
MGM Bottom, the second point on the course where boats can be pulled
out. John Reynolds, N7QF, will be setting up the Green River station.
Russ Smith, KD7ZDZ, will be at MGM Bottom.
| May 14: Additional Moab operators Found |
Things are looking up in the department of Moab staffing.
Eugene and Carol McWherter, N7OVT and KC7LLW, along with
Garth and Diane Wiscombe, KA7MHN and KD7BYX, have signed up to
help with the Moab station.
| May 14: KL7HLF Will Be on the River |
Don Linnen, KL7HLF, has been one of our best sources of information about conditions on the river in years past. Don simply takes his own boat on the Cruise and goes equipped to communicate.
Last year, mechanical problems forced Don to abandon the course early. We were not sure if he would be available in 2000.
He writes:
Hi GordonI'm addicted to the Friendship Cruise! I have my own boat and will be on the river early Saturday morning. I picked up a 19-foot tri-hull with open bow. It has a 188 hp Mercruiser along with a 10 hp outboard. I bought a river runner prop shovel that should keep the prop out of the rocks. I'll run the 10 hp until we at least get past the San Rafael River. It rides high in the water. That part of the river is where we have had the most problems.
I'll look forward to talking with you from Panorama Point. It will be more meaningful since we were up there last year.
[Later]
Yes I plan to have 100 watts on 75 meters. I should have a better antenna than before. I plan to use a vertical grounded to the out drive and then of course to the water. I will be able to work with it more at Willard Bay prior to the trip. Do you have any suggestions?
73
Don Linnen KL7HLF