Excerpts from the latest Scuttlebutt issue.

Greetings from N1GYX

As this is written, it looks as if the Hurricane Season will pass with little impact and certainly not what was predicted. Let's hope it continues and more people get to enjoy the winter season in the south this year.

It is also time to look forward to the WRCC Picnic at Wickham Park in Melbourne, FL on Nov. 9. Hope to see many of you there. The RVers have plans and cruising members coming to the SSCA Gam will also join us. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather and we will have another great turnout.

The Gam has always been a good opportunity to introduce our organization to those in the cruising community that may not have heard about us. BUT, the better way is by word of month and that depends on you, our membership, to talk about what we do and who we are at each opportunity where fellow cruisers meet. Flying your burgee not only lets other members of WRCC know you are nearby, the flag is often noticed and many inquire about the nature of the club it represents. Another great opportunity to talk about the WRCC!! Membership applications are in each roster, please use them. Consider giving your old roster to a prospective member.

In an article elsewhere in this issue, Sam N4UAU welcomes all of us to join the CW net, which goes on daily, before the SSB net. Sam also points out that there have been many and varied changes in technology that could have an impact on what we have historically done for the cruising community. While I agree with this, it does not replace our reason for being there and again reemphasizes the many facets of Ham Radio. Sam would be the first to say "when all else fails, CW is there." I would agree and add "as part of Ham radio."

Our Editor, Peter K3PKC also points out something that is important to remember. The propagation this year has been terrible and may have made the lower level of participation in the summer even worse than normal. I hope that the sun will not spot on us and not only will the communications be better, but the level of interest and participation will be higher than ever this coming season.

Finally, due to our purchase of burgees earlier this year, we have not had enough money in the treasury to publish a new Net Guide this year. Now that the period of dues paying draws closer, maybe we can get a new Guide out early next year.

73 —Ron N1GYX

The dragon at Dragon Point, sculpted by Lewis Van Diecar in the late 1960's and completed in 1971, stood at the junction of the Indian and Banana Rivers until it collapsed in 2002. It was so prominent the National Ocean Service (NOS) had named the most southerly point on Merritt Island, Florida as Dragon Point on its nautical charts.

With its demise, both the NOS and the WRCC dragons are "in trouble." Will the NOS rename the point? What will become of the WRCC "dragons?"

For years, boaters transiting the ICW have used the anchorage behind Dragon Point as a stopover in deep, well-protected waters. Now that "Annie" (the dragon) has collapsed with very little chance of ever being reconstructed, what will become of this landmark location?

Over the years a number of efforts were made to upgrade the dragon, first by owners of the property, and later by a group of concerned citizens. At present, "Annie" is too far gone and too expensive to reconstruct. During the last several years a children's book was written and a ballad recorded to call attention to the dragon's fate. All the above is well documented in local newspapers, and for those interested in more detail, internet websites can be accessed by searching "Google" (Dragon Point, Merritt Island, FL) 1971 thru 2003.

The purpose of this article is to pursue other possible solutions, which could continue the fable of the dragon and possibly replacement of the original. The fable states that "Annie" and her hatchlings --Joy, Sunshine, Charity and Freedom, "remaining intact"--were stranded in the Indian River lagoon where "Annie" has been trying to return to her home on "Dragon Island" through an underwater cavern — the ocean.

Since there is next to no possibility that "Annie" could ever be reconstructed, is it possible another dragon could be found to replace it? (Where's PUFF when you need him?) Has anyone among WRCC's and SSCA's wide ranging membership ever seen another dragon, possibly at a theme park, which might be obtainable? What about molds available for construction of an alternative (fiberglass or other)? If anyone has any ideas, please contact this "waterwaynetter" Leroy (W3VW) SV Freedom, at my address in the WRCC Roster.

Leroy White, W3VW

"Looks like we have some time to kill; let me get out my copy of War and Peace." These words have become familiar on the SSB net and we on the CW net can't help thinking the worm has turned.

Not long ago CW was being trashed because the new computer digital methods were "better at sending information than that rickety old CW." Well it appears those new digital methods, especially Winlink, are having more impact on the SSB net than on the CW net. We see much less traffic on the SSB net (the CW net often has more), there are fewer position reports, and rarely is there a fill request on the weather. What a difference from ten years ago.

Quotes from active boating members support the argument that Winlink is the cause of this change: "Being a single hander, I found voice nets to be a very nice way to feel connected with other people while at sea … however, the data available via Winlink far surpasses what I got via voice nets…"

"When I'm underway, I check in to the SSB net … just to add to the count. Most people who are interested in where I am simply go to the internet and find my position there complete with maps and trail showing were I've been. The internet information is supplied by Winlink."

In the past the SSB net was the best way to pass information useful to boaters but it is not the best way any more.

By contrast the CW net's purpose has always been the basic purpose of Amateur Radio, a recreational use of radio to pass basically unimportant social information. The people who check into the CW net just like to send CW and touch base with others who like to do the same. We have members as far flung as Texas, Colorado, Michigan, New York and the Virgin Islands. Instead of shrinking in size, our net is growing; and while technology has been detrimental to the SSB net, it has actually enhanced the CW net. We have a very active Yahoo Group which permits members to expand the thoughts raised on the CW net and the above quotes came from the group emails.

Another sign of the health of CW is shown by the QSO count from the recent Peter Island DXpedition: SSB- 39,509, CW- 43,250, Other- 4,129. CW had 10% MORE QSO's than SSB!!

So if you love Ham Radio and are disappointed that the SSB net is changing from its original purpose you might want to consider checking into the CW net on 7050 at 7AM every day.

Sam Ulbing, N4UAU

The following members or their families have received cards or flowers from the Sunshine Fund during the past 3 months.

     NNIV - Howard Morgan   - Silent Key

     KN4ET - Jerry Touche   - Illness

     KB1BT - Web Blood   - Silent Key

     KF2SX - William Purcell   - Silent key

The Sunshine fund is not funded through your dues, but is supported by donations collected over the year. Our fund is in need of additional support and if you feel it in your heart to donate, it would be appreciated.

If you are aware of a club member in need of some Sunshine, please contact me via phone (correct in the roster), new email address kc4bgq@earthlink.net., or sunshine@waterwayradio.net.

Please provide me with as much information as possible and a point of contact. This especially holds true if someone is in the hospital. When you receive flowers, please let me know, so I can confirm they were received.

I want to thank the members of the WRCC for your support. I could not do it without you.

Jean Freeman, KC4BGQ - Sunshine Fund Chairman

Health Tips from the Doc

HIVES

I'm frequently asked about skin rashes. They are a bug-a-boo to the victim and at times problematic for the doctor as well. It is a huge subject, but as we say in medicine, "Common things occur commonly." Let's start with a common one, Hives.

What are hives? They are itchy pink to red blotches that appear in the skin, seemingly spontaneously, and most commonly arise on the torso, upper arms and legs. They mostly occur in bunches and range in size from pea size to that of a silver dollar. They tend to come and go; lesions there one hour may be gone but replaced by others an hour later.

Hives are an allergic reaction which appears in the skin and is caused by something that has been taken by mouth, or something injected like penicillin or iodine meds. This is in contrast to asthma, which frequently is caused by something inhaled.

For hives, common offenders are shrimp, cashew nuts, peanuts in a few people, chocolate, strawberries and other assorted fruits. I got hives once when I was a teenager by eating unripe bananas. Hives are an allergic reaction and only susceptible people get the reaction. The hives tend to go away once the offending chemicals pass out of the body, usually 2-3 or 5 days. If they last longer than that, they may be a sign of an internally generated self-allergy.

Now, hives are a real torment. What can one do with an acute attack? If a doctor is nearby, or if you have prepared for the problem, then the remedy of choice is cortisone, by injection or by mouth. Patting on Calamine Lotion or Benadryl is not very satisfying, but may give partial relief. The cortisone, or its analogs like prednisone or decamethasone, usually should be taken for the 3-5 days the problem lasts. Talk to your doctor about the dosing schedule. I prefer prednisone 5-10 mg. tablets. It is cheap and holds up well in storage at boat temperatures. An immediate relief can be gotten by an adrenalin injection, for example with the "Epi-Pen", but the effect lasts only about half an hour. Benadryl capsules, (50 mg.) are also useful but are only about 1/5 as potent as the prednisone.

I should mention first aid and self care for hives. Heat makes them worse. If you have hives, avoid hot showers and hot sunshine. Also avoid alcohol; it opens the capillaries, warms the skin and worsens the hives. If you have no Benadryl or prednisone handy, 2 or three aspirin tablets may be helpful, although a small minority of folks get hives from aspirin!

Jim, K4TCV

For the seventh year, WRCC folks who like to "Land Cruise" rendezvoused for a week in July at nearly 3500 feet at Linville Falls, a National Park Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway, some 40 miles north of Asheville, N.C. There are no electrical hook-ups or other amenities as found in many campgrounds, but like the boats we sailed in the Bahamas and other remote places, our RVs are designed to camp anyplace independently. Although Tom, N4LDX and Lila do not have an RV, they have a beautiful summer home in nearby Land Harbor (at 4000 ft. elevation) and drive over to visit. Tom always brings the barbecue with all the fixings and a great picnic is enjoyed by all.

In past years, Bob (KD3BV) and Vivian Thompson have always joined us as well, but they have now moved from Land Harbor to Annapolis. Regretting they could not come, they sent several large cans of delicious Virginia peanuts for all to enjoy.

There are over 50 WRCC members on our Land Cruiser list. We meet on a very informal net each Wednesday following the Waterway Net. Some still cruise in boats as well, but for others, serious cruising is now a fond memory. The net provides the opportunity for any of us, whether traveling or not, to join in and share information or just talk to one another. So please, feel free to check in on the Land Cruiser Net anytime.

Many of us will again gather for several nights Nov. 9 at Wickham Park Campground in Melbourne, FL. for the annual WRCC picnic. For camping reservations in Loop A, call (321) 255-4307 and identify yourself as part of the Waterway group to assure a 25% discount. If we have 8 or more reservations, the camping fee is only $15. Even if you are not camping, feel free to come by after the day's activities just for fun. Folks usually gather in the little shelter in Loop A about 5:00 until dark, bringing their drinks and hors d'oeuvres to share. Hope to see you there.

— Don Hughes, N4EOW

Hard to believe it's mid-September already (October, maybe, by the time you read this!) Another year just FLEW by. Hopefully a lot of you are already making plans to attend the annual WRCC picnic at Wickham Park on November 9th. It is a ‘shared dish' picnic lunch so bring one of your specialty dishes to share. We need substance, not chip and dip! The club will provide the utensils and the beer and water and sodas. There will be a small fee collected from each of you to cover the cost of the rental on the pavilion and the other expenses, please don't forget to register when you get there and pay your share.

I will have burgees for sale at the picnic. The good heavy ones are $15 each and the few light weight ones that we have left are $4 each. You can get them there, or order them with your Bill and Ballot when you return it with your 2007 dues.

Speaking of the Bill and Ballot, if anyone wants me to BRING their ballot to the picnic, instead of mailing it around the 1st of November, please LET ME KNOW before hand so that I don't put postage on it. You can also pay your dues while you are at the picnic if you wish, just see me at the table next to registration.

And lastly, I am in the market for good cover photos for the 2007 Roster. If you have anything you think might look good there, please send it to me either by post, or email before the end of the year.

See y'all at the picnic! -- Jeanie, N4WFM

Anchoring Restrictions in Marco Island, Florida

Here's an update regarding the City of Marco Island's 72 hour anchoring limit thanks to WRCC member Lee Oldershaw, KI4NE. "Marco has an ordinance revoking the anchoring rights of navigation after 72 hours. It can be extended another 72 hours with a permit from the city after providing a pump out receipt or "satisfactory evidence of sufficient holding tank capacity." Vessels may anchor up to 7 days for "Emergency repairs" or other "Verifiable emergencies." They may anchor for "safe harbor during INCLEMENT weather." Enforcement officers determine the qualifications in quotes. Vessels may not anchor closer than 300 ft. from shore or structures. Penalties include up to a $500 fine, 60 days in jail and being cited as a "public nuisance."

LATE FLASH: Florida House Bill 7175 effective July 1, 2006 prohibits local governments from imposing anchoring restrictions except in designated mooring fields or for "liveaboards" as defined narrowly to mean vessels used for nothing except a residence. See http://www. ssca.org/anchorrights for complete info. (Thank you SSCA for helping get this law passed!)

Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida—Update

Thanks to FEMA funds, several sunken and derelict boats have been removed from the harbor. The large red ketch that was aground on the shallow grass flats in the middle of the harbor was successfully removed on September 7th. The harbor has its very own water taxi service--the Smorgasboat. Water taxi service is available from 7 AM to 7 PM; the one way fare is $2. The Smorgasboat hails on VHF channel 17. There is a VHF radio conveniently located at the City Marina's dinghy dock, one of many areas where the water taxi picks up/drops off. Owner Chris Boyle is trying to get permission to pick up and drop off customers at the far end of the canal near Publix. That will be really convenient! The City of Marathon plans to install more moorings in the harbor but to date, no notices of exactly when this will begin have been distributed. There are currently no anchoring ordinances or restrictions in Boot Key Harbor. The existing mooring balls are obtained on a first come, first served basis. The West Marine dinghy dock, located just East of the Boot Key Harbor bridge, inside the Marathon Boat Yard marina is back in operation. Boaters are reminded that this dock is for the exclusive use of West Marine customers while shopping at the store.

Malaria and Great Exuma Island

The Bahamas Ministry of Health and National Insurance advised on August 4, 2006, that local transmission of malaria on Great Exuma had positively ceased. This conclusion and announcement is based on the passage of three successive incubation periods of 15 days with no new cases of the disease identified. However, the CDC as of September 8th 2006 recommends that U.S. based travelers take preventive doses of chloroquine before, during, and after they travel to Great Exuma. This recommendation is expected to be temporary and does not apply to other islands of the Bahamas. Be sure to check the CDC site for changes in this recommendation and bring plenty of mosquito repellant with at least 50% DEET! See the CDC website before you go and check our WRCC web site under "News and Events."

Marti, KF4TRG

Eighth Annual Wickham Park Picnic

At the large covered pavilion on Brevard Community College Campus

Thursday, November 9, 2006

(The date may seem a long way off, but if we wait until the Fall issue to publish this information, it may not catch up with you in time.)

Location: 3845 N Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32935

Provisioning: Please bring a covered dinner dish to share. The following will be provided: soft drinks, water, beer, ice, paper plates, cups, napkins and utensils. Drinks in cans are permitted, but no glass bottles.

Weather: This is a large covered pavilion. Foul weather gear would only be required to get to the pavilion from your transportation in case of bad weather.

Cost: We are trying to keep things simple to keeps costs down. We are asking $3 per person to cover expenses.

Call in frequency to request assistance in finding the picnic site is 146.55 MHz simplex. Cell phone 321-537-3167 will also be monitored to provide information.

Land Cruisers: Please make reservations for a campsite by calling 321/255-4307 during the daytime. If there are at least 8 campsites reserved, you will receive a 25% discount of $5 per day. Please advise them that you are with the WRCC. Discounted daily fees plus taxes, electricity and water are about $15. If there are not at least 8 campsites reserved, you will have to pay an additional $5 per day when you arrive. Ask for a campsite on Loop A. Please have your Visa or MasterCard ready. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail.

Arriving by Boat: Transportation will be provided for WRCC members on boats at marinas or anchored at the Dragon on the east side of the ICW or off Abaco Jack's Restaurant (was Conchy Joe's) on the west side of the ICW. Contact Ned Buck, W4KS, for pickup at 321/725-1591 or Email: nbuck@palmnet.net.

Arriving by Car: The pavilion is located on Wickham Road, between Post Road and Parkway Drive, .7 mile north of Parkway and .2 mile south of Post. This pavilion is on the northwest corner of Wickham Park and is around the corner from the entrance to Wickham Park. There is a large surfaced parking area to the north of the pavilion. Small signs will be put up near the location to help give you directions.

     GPS Coordinates: 28°10.0693'    - 80°40.3046' (Approx.)

Driving Directions to Wickham Park Picnic

From I-95 South Bound

Take Wickham Road, Exit 191. Turn left on Wickham Road East for 7.7 miles. Turn left at traffic light .2 miles after passing Post Road at entrance to Brevard Community College. On the right is a large parking lot. Turn right at second entrance to parking lot. Pavilion is at south side of the parking lot.

From I-95 North Bound

Take second Melbourne exit, Exit 183 (Rte. 518). At third light turn north (left) onto Wickham Road. Turn right at traffic light .7 miles past Parkway Drive. This is the entrance to Brevard Community College. On the right is a large parking lot. Turn right at second entrance to parking lot. Pavilion is at south side of the parking lot.

Motels:

Near I-95 Exit 180 on US Highway 192
Holiday Inn Express, 321/724-2050
America's Best Value Inn, 321/724-2051
Hampton Inn, 321/956-6200
Budget Inn, 321/724-5450
Howard Johnson, 321/768-8439

Near I-95 Exit 191 on Wickham Road
Imperial Hotel, 321/255-0077
La Quinta Inn, 321/242-9400

Marine Flea Market

Our second Marine Flea Market was held last year and it was successful so we'll try it again. Our Commodore, Ron Knaggs, will be taking care of the flea market details. For those boaters that have recently changed boats or swallowed the anchor, this is a great opportunity to sell those items you no longer need. It is also a great place for boaters to look for items they would like for their boats.

Lona, KN4RB

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The following is a press release from the Seven Seas Cruising Assn, which will be having their convention in Melbourne following our Picnic.  - Webmaster

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31st SSCA Annual Convention – Melbourne, FL

TIME/DATE: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 10-12, 2006.

LOCATION:   Eau Gallie Civic Center:

DETAILS: Whether you are new to the cruising community, a circumnavigator, already out there “living the dream,” or have “swallowed the hook,” you won’t want to miss the 31st SSCA Annual Convention and Meeting, November 10-12, 2006, in Melbourne, FL. You will enjoy three full days of cruiser camaraderie, instructional seminars, direct interaction with some of the biggest vendors in the cruising community, raffle & auction and much more!

Seminar Lineup:

COST: $15 ($20 for non-members) Food is extra. Pre-Registration and meal orders must be received by October 26th.

CONTACT: Registration form online at http://www.ssca.org/eventind.htm, e-mail office@ssca.org or call 954-771-5660.

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the things you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

BEWARE ETHANOL: The Sept. 2 Edition of the Wall Street Journal highlighted problems arising from the use of ethanol in boat fuel. Ethanol, a powerful solvent, leaches the resin out of fiberglas. In fiberglas gas tanks, ethanol creates a chemical mix that coats the engine's interior with black stuff that hardens when the engine cools. It destroys the fuel tank, too. Ethanol also absorbs atmospheric water which, when inside your engine, leads to many other problems. Diesel owners need not be concerned; there's no ethanol in diesel fuel...yet.

Thanks to Chuck, ND7K for the tip!

NOAA now has real-time weather including winds, sea state, air and water temperatures, and barometric pressure at the location of your choice. It's called NowCoast. Check it out at http://www.nowcoast.noaa.gov.

The following web site has a wealth of information on emergency ham radio nets, both governmental and amateur. It's worth browsing http://www.hurricanefrequencies.com.

JVComm32 displays radiofax on your computer screen without a TNC. Just connect your radio to the computer with a monaural RCA cable, download the free demo software, and tune in to those NOAA frequencies! http://www.pervisell.co.uk/download/roote.htm (Thanks to Betsy, N1WWK and Martin, N1WWL for this tip!)

RUST REMOVER:Mm-Mmm Good!

An article in the September ‘06 World Radio, "Homebrew Rust Remover," should be of interest to boating hams. Some commercial rust removers (about $15 a gallon) use chelation, which is also found in molasses. The author (NN8B) took a 12 oz bottle of Brer Rabbit molasses, warmed it in a microwave so it would pour, and mixed it with water to make a total of 1 gallon. Rusted steel items came out clean after a few days in this mix. However, it may attack brass (zinc) and other metals, so it is recommended a small test be done before using on metals other than steel. The molasses should cost about $2.

There are a number of products containing phosphoric acid (Ospho) that remove rust stains and act like a primer before painting, that work well. Bud KK4MV introduced me to LimeAway, which removes all kinds of stains, including rust. WD-40 is actually a solvent (they don't say what's in it) and removes all kinds of things, some desired, some not.

— Chuck, ND7K

SB Editor: The recent malaria issue in the Exumas may have begun with the constant inflow of Haitian illegals. We were present in Ragged Island down in the Jumentos when 96 of them shipwrecked on the beach. The hungry and thirsty group overwhelmed the nearby village of Duncan Town, population about 35. With the aid of US Coast Guard and DEA heliocopters, police officers from Nassau were flown in and the Haitians were detained. By late afternoon the following day, all were aboard a Defense Force cutter and on their way to Nassau and later flown back to Haiti.

— 73, KE3JO Tom & Carol

SB Editor: On passage from Whale Cay through the abandoned cruise ship channel headed for points south like Bakers Bay or Marsh Harbor, danger exists in the form of a broken off steel piling which is hidden at high water but visible in settled conditions at low water. Hitting this piling would hole almost any vessel. The broken piling is on the red side of the old channel so staying on the green side of the channel is advisable. This Danger point is provided for information only and no warranty of accuracy is offered nor should this information be used for navigation. That said, the position we recorded was: North 26 Degrees 41.508 Minutes; West 77 Degrees 10.693 Minutes. Our GPS antenna was about 15 feet from the piling, toward the center of the channel.

— Dave, N4YRS and Harriet, KD4POI

SB Editor: I had a niggling thought there was more noise on my marginal receptions than others experienced, but it was hard to confirm. Crossing the Atlantic this summer, this came up and I again tried multiple solutions. One day, while waiting my turn with Herb of Southbound II, I turned on the inverter to charge something with every intention of turning off when Herb hailed me. To my great surprise a 2 bar noise level decreased to none or one with the inverter on and charging. Herb was easier to copy. Experimenting further I found that to achieve no interference from the inverter,had to disconnect it completely from the batteries. This was easily accomplished using the disconnect switch the inverter and the battery bank. All receptions are better now and the marginal ones are possible.

— Dick Stevenson, KC2HKW, s/v Alchemy

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