Newsletter of the Silverado Amateur Radio Society

The Napa Valley Marathon Story. From last month's issue. This has got it all, from the perspective of a new Ham. Enthusiasm, discovering the value of Public Service. Realizing that there might be room for improvement (the essence of Amateur Radio). Note to net control: Get some earphones! Read it here

Dial Cord. Staggering down memory lane and reminiscing about old time radio I got to thinking about that Hallicrafters S38B that is for sale here. I'm very familiar with this radio since it is identical to my very first receiver which I got in the mid 60's. When I first saw it, it had been disassembled and was in a big paper sack. Fortunately for me it was a variation of an "All-American-Five" which was just about every table radio produced at the time so there were tubes and schematics galore available. read more

Letter from Australia: The latest from Ron and Morgan and their latest adventures!

Um, Um, Barrier Reef was fantastic, hard to believe that it is the size the state of California. We took a helicopter ride over a small portion of it. It has rained every day, almost could not land at Sydney today due to heavy rain and lightening storms. When we were here a week ago, they had the 75th birthday celebration of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. What a sight, over 300,002 people attended (we were the 2 at the end). Will write more later, Ron and Morgan.

3/30/07 Did Hobart Tasmania, and are now on the way to New Zealand. A little rough but I like it. A lot of passengers do not, I guess it makes them sick.

A few facts about this floating hotel.

Built 2004 by Mitsubishi.	Gross tonnage-115875	Net tonnage-77745	Length-290 Meters	Breadth-50 Meters
Fuel-3400 Tons	Fresh Water -3500 Tons	Passenger cap-2670	Crew-1120	Cruising speed-20.7

most of the time we have been doing about 15 Knots. Passenger decks-16 Elevators-16 at least plus all the service units.

Dinning rooms and food areas, at least 8. One huge theater bigger than any of our movie theatersX4. Half a dozen Bars and lounges, Large gambling area. Two large swimming pools. One inside and one outside. 5 Hot tubs

and more that I can not think of right know.

Ron and Morgan

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4-01-07

Arrived at Port Chalmers about 0700., About 0900 boarded the Taieri Gorge Train for a 5 hour ride up the Taieri Gorge. New Zealand railroads are 3' 6" , that is their standard. This tourist train runs for most of the way on their own track which was purchased from the government when they wanted to remove it. We were on a 15 car train today . A lot of it is 3% grade but they move along on most of it at 45KM. We had three units and they appear to have dynamic braking. The run around was very interesting as they uncoupled two of the units and ran as far as they could to the rear. The remaining unit then pulled the train up so the two units could get by and couple up on the returning end. Then the remaining unit ran down the siding as far as he could. The two units then backed up the train so the remaining unit could couple to the two units. In other words the siding was not long enough. One of the guides told me that they had just signed a contract to haul cut pine tree logs to Port Chalmers for making into chips which are sent to China.

Well that is all for now

Ron and Morgan

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4/4 2025 hrs

We have just left Tranga, for the last night of sailing. Two days ago we were in Christchurch. It is located in a tidal area. It is the most British of all the NZ cities. Just like London they built it along a river at sea level. We took a ride on a short line not to far from there. Kevin we had to herd sheep in front of the locomotive for a couple of miles. Also had to open and close four gates as they are grazing in the RR right of way. Railroads are not doing that well here as they pulled the same stunt as the UK. The railroad is operated by a private company that has a contract with the government. The tracks are owned by the gvt. They removed controls on trucking so guess who hauls all the goods? Will be in Auckland tomorrow morning. Will take a city tour and then to our hotel. Will stay there two nights, rent a car and who knows. Have found to live steam operations, 7 1/4 gauge that operate on Sundays so will catch one each Sunday. Well just thought I would let you know that we are still moving along.

NZ is a great country, looks a lot like Calif. WX is good. They have their problems just like us.

Ron and Morgan

***

4/10 Well since I wrote last a lot has happened. All good with ONE quirk.

We left Auckland headed for Havlock North Home to a large 7 1/4 inch live steam operation. Un known to us was the fact the Easter weekend starts Thursday afternoon and runs through Monday night. Everything is shut down and every one heads to their favorite vacation place. Well guess where one of those locations is? Havlock North is about 10 miles from Napier which is the Art Deco capitol of the world. We arrived about 1530 and started looking for a place to stay. The Hotel and Motel people laughed at us. One did check around for us but no go. Soooo we slept in the car on the ocean beach with loud crashing waves. Needles to day only got maybe 4 hours of sleep. Then went to McDonalds for bkfst.. and then off to the Live steam operation of which locals did not know the location or for most did not know where the park was. Finally a local lady getting Petrol knew where it was. We got there in just a few moments and lo and behold. Could not believe the size of the layout and the number of locomotives. I believe there were 10 steamers and 10 Diesel's and at least a 100 people waiting for a ride. Got to talking to a gentleman who it turned out was one of the seven founding fathers of the club some18 years ago. When he found out that we are members of the Sacramento Club he pinned a visitor badge on each of us and we were in. Had a great time watching and riding. Rode steam only. Later in the day I was asked who we were staying with and I told him we were going to leave soon and try to find some lodging. He told me don't bother he would take care of it. In a little while he introduced us to a member of the board of directors and his wife was out of town for the weekend and had a double bed with our names on it. OK that problem solved. Then we were invited to a once a year dinner that the club always has on Easter Sunday evening and would we please attend. We went to our host home and got cleaned up and then off to the Dinner. What at HOOT it was. These people are very friendly and love a party. Had some great conversations with members on many subjects. There are no dummies in this bunch. The women were very friendly to Morgan and she had a great time.. Went to the club on Monday after some retail therapy for the boss. Ran an electric locomotive for quite a while. After a couple of one mile runs they turned me loose. Stayed with our host on Monday night and then left this AM for Wanganui. We are planning our days so as to end up at Rootera next Sunday. We will have a Motel room for this one.

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4/11 Just thought I would tell you that after about 50 miles south of Auckland there are NO MORE 4 lane roads. 2 lane only and not all that straight. They are in very good condition, (would put ours to shame) with many long passing lanes. We took a 2 hour boat ride in a revived hundred year old steam powered paddlewheel boat. They use river water for the boiler, (water tube) unless salt water has intruded up the river.

Got a good look at a train switching crew this morning doing their thing. When they finished, pulled up to a switch, the guard proceeded to remove a bolt from the switch point and line the switch to what looked like an unused track. I was looking at where it went and it looked like an old turntable. Well it was, they pulled on to it, unlocked two push handles and turned the unit around, locked the handles and went back. Lined the switch and put the bolt back in the point. The 3'6" locomotives sure look small. They are EMD 6 axel. Well we will leave tomorrow for who knows where.

Ron and Morgan.

Oh, by the way New Zealanders do not care to be aligned with Australia in any way. They are English with some US alignment.

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