Excerpts from the latest Scuttlebutt issue.

Greetings from K4WJC

Once again, I enjoyed seeing all who made the picnic in Melbourne last month. I admit I love to get away from work for a few days, pitch my tent in beautiful Wickham Park, talk about ham radio and catch up on friend’s travels. A round of golf with Jeanie, N4WFM, and Bill, KE4VUF, on the way home was icing on the cake.

An added bonus this year was finding a Kenwood TS-680S transceiver at the flea market looking for a new home. Now my move to land is complete; I have a base station transceiver (my IC-706 can become mobile again), amp, high power tuner and a 40 M dipole.

As good as this past year has been with Ron, N1GYX, Jeanie, N4WFM, and the weather readers doing all the work, I expect next year will be even better. Most fortunately my campaign war chest (running for Commodore) exactly matched my expenses, the WRCC is back on sound financial footing AND the government is going to start sending me $$ every month. Life is good.

I have already received e-mail from several members offering help with whatever tasks are needed. If this keeps up, I won’t have to do a darn thing next year. I might just go on another motorcycle trip – Sturgis, SD, was fantastic last year – maybe Milwaukee again next year!

Seriously folks, thanks to all of you who make this the best Net in ham radio, I am really looking forward to next year. I have a few ideas of how to make the net even better … I’ll share them with you at a January Roundtable … if even one works out, I’ll be pleased. If you have ideas, bring ‘em on …you know where to find me … 7.268 MHz @ 0745 or …K4WJC@knology.net

73 —Tom K4WJC

Global warming is expected to alter the migration habits of many species, but that’s probably not the cause of the Snowbirds’ delayed southbound flight in the Fall of 2007. Most likely, the late migration this fall was a result of marine insurance underwriters’ latest attempt to reduce storm losses by requiring boats to remain north of certain latitudes until after November 1. At least, that’s the reason most often given for low attendance at the WRCC Picnic and SSCA Gam, held concurrently in Melbourne, FL in early November.

Several sources confirm the later migration is real. Fleet Captain Chuck ND7K analyzed position reports for November 7-30, 2007. After excluding reports from locations obviously extraneous to the Snowbird migration, a total of 231 position reports during the period was distributed as follows: • Above Melbourne - 71% • At Melbourne - 5%• U.S. South of Melbourne - 18% • Bahamas - 6%

Retiring Commodore Ron N1GYX lives in Ft. Pierce, just south of Vero. He reported attendance at the traditional Thanksgiving gathering at the Vero Beach Municipal Marina was down significantly from prior years. He also observed that the number of boats traversing the Waterway and occupying the local anchorages reached normal winter levels in December, rather than near Thanksgiving as in the past (see page 5).

The SSCA has responded to the change by moving their Gam from November to the first week of December. Because attendance at the WRCC picnic was down, and because there are many advantages to having the picnic at the same time as the Gam, our Officers recommended we hold the picnic in Decemberas well.

Changing the picnic date was the subject of a round table discussion following the Net on Saturday, December 8. Naturally there were various preferences expressed, but there seemed to be general agreement that there’s great value to having the picnic in conjunction with the SSCA Gam, and that Sunday would be a good day. We are continuing to solicit members’ feedback, but in order to make sure we have a suitable place to meet, we have tentatively reserved facilities at Wickham Park for Sunday, December 7, 2008. Please email your comments to officers@ waterwayradio.net.

Land Cruisers should make reservations early because RVparking at that time will be at a premium.

All of you know by now, the Waterway CW Net meets every day at 7AM Eastern time on 7.050 MHz. So I will just tell a few Morse code stories.

K9SGH Bill Marsh's grandfather was a retired telegrapher. The family listened to baseball on the radio (no TV then). The announcer enthusiastically broadcast the game, which he received by telegraph, and he was usually a play or two behind. In the background faint Morse code could be heard from the telegraph. Bill: "I sure hope he hits a home run!" Grandfather: "Nah, I bet he’ll just strike out." After a while the kids finally figured out how their grandfather knew the plays in advance.

This dog's master was a Ham CW operator. He learned he would not get dinner until after the Morse code was over. The hungry pooch patiently lay at his master's feet until he heard "da da dit dit dit dit dit dit da da". (That's 73.) At that moment the dog would always jump to his feet, wag his tale and whine for dinner. The moral of this story: even a dog can learn code.

Once upon a time there was a ham who got up at 5AM to operate his radio. His YL complained that there was so much radio racket she could not sleep. So the Ham switched to CW Morse and put on headphones. The YL heard neither transmit nor receive, blissfully slept and the two lived happily ever after. The YL is WA7WOT.

Samuel Morse did not invent the Morse Code - it was invented by his assistant Alfred Vail. The fastest Morse Code reception was not by N4UAU at 44 wpm (from K2VQ before the CW Net), but by Ted McElroy who received and copied at 75.2 wpm in Ashville NC 1939 for the record. The last Morse transmission from the Titanic was not sent by Phillips in 1912 but by K1PT in 1986. Paul was on the foredeck of the Titanic in the small Alvin submarine and sent Morse code messages that were received.

Some Waterway CW Net records follow. The oldest key used on the CW net, a WW II J-38 used regularly by Jay AE4MZ. The oldest radio on the net, a Harvey Wells TBS-50 of 1947 vintage by Mark AF1Z. Other antiques chirping on the net have been Johnson Rangers and a Heathkit SB-401. I think the furthest distance check-in was by Jeff Hutchinson N4JT (now SK) from a container ship in Hawaii. Sam N4UAU claims the Black Hole record. The lowest power goes to Lloyd K3ESE in MD and Bob WA4MQW in NC for checking in with one watt or less. To protect the guilty we won't mention a Paul with the most power or a Chuck with the most broken call signs.

The following members or their families have received cards or flowers from the Sunshine Fund recently.

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

Many things can cause a transmitted signal to be distorted. However, with modern radios, most of those problems are taken care of by the design of the radio itself. Since many of us operate from boats using battery power, we sometimes operate the radios outside of their specified operating parameters. As a result, many of our transmitted SSB (and CW) signals are distorted, sometimes to the point where they are unreadable.

Other than grounding and RF feedback problems, the main problem while operating most ham rigs on a boat is low voltage at the rig during transmissions. Most ham rigs like to have 13.6 volts at the terminals while transmitting, but that voltage is hard to come by on a boat unless the engine is running, the power connections to the radio are of adequate size and length, and all connections are clean and tight.

There are a few rigs that will operate properly from lower voltages. While I don’t know exactly which rigs will run at low voltage, I do know that the Elecraft K-2 will put out full power with around 10 volts on the power cord at the rig. Check the specifications on your radio to find out its operating range of input voltage.

If your rig requires 12 volts or higher you may have a problem, as a fully charged battery is at 12.6 volts. If there is any load at all on that battery, the voltage is likely to be lower. Factor in the voltage drop in the power line to the radio and you will probably have less than 12 volts at the rig.

There is a way around this problem without getting a K-2 or always running your engine while transmitting. That solution is to install a battery booster.

What is a battery booster? It’s a device that takes battery power on the input, uses an inverter type circuit to generate AC of a higher voltage, and then converts that back into 13.6 volts DC at the output. Using one of these, you can have low battery voltage and still have 13.6 volts at the radio.

While I’m not advertising MFJ, they are one company that makes a battery booster that is ideal for running a 100W ham rig from batteries. It’s their model MFJ-4416 Battery Booster. Check it out if you have low voltage at your rig.

Forrest Myers, AG4ND

MFJ has a new product out, called "Voltage Conditioner," part number 4403. Your 12 v power goes into the box and then leads out to your transceiver. It contains (amongst other things) 6 big capacitors that store up energy when there is low power demand and then supplies extra power if there are peaks in demand. This should help radios that are distorting on peaks because of low power. The capacitors recharge between peaks. They may also smooth out ripples (noise) coming into the radio via the 12 v power - such as refrigerator or alternator noise.

This "Voltage Conditioner" also protects against voltage spikes over 15v, reverse polarity and short circuit. I have not used or seen this gadget and have seen no reviews except for a mention in September CQ Magazine. The capacitors are so big - 4 Farads - that they store a dangerous amount of power, so I would not take the lid off this thing when plugged into 12 v. It has a bleeding resistor, an on/off switch, fuse, and 3 LEDs to indicate what is going on. Price $120.

I hope this cures some common /MM radio problems. The manual is available on MFJ web site, put 4403 in the search box. Not recommended for slow CW, packet or other key down modes.

If it doesn’t help, don’t send me the bill.

"E-10" (gas with 10% ethanol) can attract greater amounts of water and "phase separate," or form two separate solutions in the gas tank: Gasoline, and ethanol/water. Once this happens, the engine may not run and internal damage can occur. BoatU.S. has the following recommendations for winter storage of E-10.

• Top off the fuel tanks to about 95% full, leaving room for expansion. A tank that is almost full limits the flow of air into and out of the vent, which reduces the chance of condensation adding water to the fuel.

• Draining fuel tanks of E-10 gas is potentially dangerous and not recommended.

• Once phase separation occurs, additives and water separators can't help. The only remedy is to have the gas and ethanol/water professionally removed from the tank.

• Ethanol reacts chemically with fiberglass fuel tanks, causing them to potentially fail. This is most common with tanks built before the mid-1980s. Such tanks should be replaced with tanks of a non-reactive material such as aluminum if E-10 must be used.

• While ethanol does attract moisture, don’t plug the fuel tank vent to prevent moist air from entering a tank. Without room to expand, the additional pressure could rupture fuel system components.

• Add stabilizer to any fuel that will sit for a long time — but be aware stabilizers won’t prevent phase separation.

My first thought is to say Thank You to this year’s officers. Well done, guys. I enjoyed working with you.

Secondly, congratulations to the 2008 Officers, Tom, Peter, and Bill. What great potential there! I look forward to next year’s club activities.

Now, as for my job, I’ve been trying to get the Bills out to all of you but the new system is not fool proof yet. If you have not VERIFIED your Roster information, I need for you to do that as soon as possible so that I can start working on the 2008 Roster of Members. You should have received a Bill in the mail very recently if you still owe for next year. Some of you who paid in advance may have received a letter of verification as well. I sent out email requests for verification wherever I could, but if I did not hear from you during November, then I mailed out the Bill/verification letter in December. If you did not get one, and feel you need to verify your information, just email me at secretary@ waterwayradio.net. Please include your call sign.

It is critical that you let me know how you want to receive your Scuttlebutt newsletter, either via a valid email address or by mail. We are trying to set up the database so that it will sort those out automatically, but I need your input. There is sort of a Catch- 22 thing going on here because we email the newsletter to most of you. But, how would I knowif you did not get it? I will put something in the next email when I advise you of the next newsletter password, asking you to please verify that you received it. Please don’t hesitate to change your Newsletter Preferences if you need to. Keep those updates coming!

Happy Holidays to all

88, Your humble secretary -- Jeanie, N4WFM

Boot Key Bridge Closes On December 3, 2007, the Florida DOT closed the bridge to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic permanently because of structural deterioration. The draw will remain operational for an indeterminate period to allow sailboats access to Boot Key Harbor. The City is exploring long-term solutions; perhaps the span will eventually be removed.

The City of Marathon has completed its installation of moorings. There are now 226 mooring balls in Boot Key Harbor. Fifteen of them will accommodate vessels up to 60 feet; the rest are restricted to 45 feet. There remains an anchorage east of the bridge and south of the channel. Use of an anchor light is required anywhere in the harbor, even on a mooring.

More ICW Trouble Spots Here are some recently reported trouble spots—not the same old ones you already know. Best to transit these areas near high tide.
• Mile 237, less than 4’MLW abeam of Marker 61A. Follow new temporary buoys.
• Marker 119 to 121 north of Ben Sawyer Bridge, as little as 3.5’ MLW.
• McLellanville, SC area.
• Palm Coast, 1/4 mile south of the bridge at mile 803.1 Observe temporary buoy #110.
• North of Peck Lake, mile 990. Stay well off #12.

The Vinoy Resort Marina in downtown St. Pete, closed for about two years due to storm damage, has reopened with new concrete docks. It’s been reported the marina has excellent facilities and the docks are described as a “fortress.”

The Okeechobee Waterway should be avoided by vessels drawing more than 3 feet. Lake elevation as of mid-December is 10.16 feet above sea level, which is 2.4 feet below the level at which project depths are calculated. The worst area is near Clewiston, where the channel was blasted through rock. The St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers are reported “low but passable” by recent cruisers. And the forecast is not favorable; unless there’s a lot more rain, the lake is expected to drop another three feet by May. You can check the Lake water level on the WRCC web site; it’s updated every day.

Powell Point / Cape Eleuthera Maybe this old and new development project will succeed this time. The full service marina is open and, according to their web site, it has everything a yachtsman could hope for. Looks like a great stop between the Abacos and Nassau. Check it out at www.CapeEleuthera.com Advice from a tugboat captain: “Best way to run the ICW is to pretend you’re pushing an 80- foot barge.”

Waterway Watch Citizens everywhere are being asked to keep on the lookout for suspicious activities. BoatU.S. believes recreational boaters can do their part through “America’s Waterway Watch,” a program that enlists the active participation of those who play, work or live around America ’s waterways. Similar to the successful Neighborhood Watch programs that ask community residents to report suspicious activities to local law enforcement agencies, Waterway Watch is a combined effort of the U.S. Coast Guard and its Auxiliary and Reserve components. In a recent press release, Boat U.S. President Nancy Michelman said, “We believe that many boaters are willing to play a part in securing our waterways and provide the Coast Guard with information about activities that may appear strange or unusual. This is a grassroots effort to engage the boating public in the quest for information that could prevent a possible terrorist attack.”

To participate, keep this phone number aboard your boat, and use it when something seems out of place.

Marti, KF4TRG

The Howards left Annapolis, Maryland, October 17 intending to sail Cinnamon Teal to Port Canaveral to attend the WRCC picnic in Melbourne. Vicki, KD7YPO, and Porter, KD7YPP, are new members of the WRCC, and wanted to meet some of the people they have been hearing and talking with on the Waterway Net. Stops at Portsmouth, Virginia, and Beaufort, North Carolina, for weather had slowed their progress. They came into Fernandina Beach, Florida, ahead of a front, two days before the Picnic. They were happy to get this close, with time to rent a car and drive the remaining leg to Melbourne.

They drove down the coast in fine weather, glad to be in Florida out of the cold. They arrived for the swap meet that morning to look for the treasures always found at this event. They heard gracious acceptance speeches from the incoming club officers, and grateful thanks to current officers and the many members who keep this club working and on the air every day of the year. The Howards were sympathetic to a discussion about changing the date of the picnic to accommodate cruisers who are unable to come into Florida waters in November. And above all, Vicki and Porter appreciated the welcomes and invitations to visit fellow members along their route as they travel south through Florida.They enjoyed the great potluck dinner and good stories at their table. They are proud to be members of the club and thank everyone who made this picnic happen.

Like many of the cruisers out there, the Howards check in regularly on the Waterway Net - and that, my friends is how I met these wonderful people. Last summer, Porter checked in to the net while in the Chesapeake Bay not more than a few miles from where I was anchored. I made contact with him and we arranged to join up in Mobjack Bay. Vicki, Porter and I had a great day together in Mathews, Virginia, riding bikes and having lunch. That evening I was invited to their boat for a sundown toast to future voyages. Since that meeting in July, we have periodically shared anchorages and festivities along the waterways south.

And I'd just like to say that I'm proud to be a member of a club that can attract the likes of the Howards.

SB EDITOR: On Friday Oct. 26, Collier County, FL County Judge Rob Crown, in a ruling on a defense motion, struck down Marco Island's anchoring ordinance as being in violation of state statutes and the Florida constitution! Dave Dumas, who violated the ordinance, was the boater whose case was heard, supported by an ad-hoc committee from the Sailing Association of Marco Island (SAMI) consisting of Karl Henning, past Commodore of SAMI, Herman Diebler N1LAN, and myself. All the members of SAMI supported our adhoc committee. Donald Day of the law firm Berry, Day, McFee and Martin of Naples FL represented Dumas.

The Judge left intact in the ordinance the prohibition on live-aboard vessels anchoring for any amount of time as permitted by Florida statutes. Also, he left intact a requirement for unattended vessels to display a waterproof notice with a vessel owner’s name, address and phone number andalso the same information for a secondary contact of a responsible partywho lives or works in Dade, Collier or Lee County. An unattended vessel is defined as any vessel with no person aboard. If we have the opportunity, we will appeal that item. We don't know whether the city will try to enforce 54-167 (10) about the waterproof notice. We don't know yet whether the city will appeal the "strongly worded" ruling. They have 30 days from Oct. 25. —Lee Oldershaw KI4NE

Ed. Note: The City decided to appeal. If the lower court’s decision is upheld, it will establish precedent affecting all Florida municipalities.

SB EDITOR: Bud Crampton KK4MV, ex commodore and cruiser, recently published a book of verses and rhymes about boats, lyrics, mythology etc. Waterway Netters will enjoy it like I did. You can get it at www.authorhouse.com/bookstore; write Crampton in the search box and click OK, then Book #42214- "Roses in the Sky." 73's —Al Bell W4IKV

SB EDITOR: During the (past) winter in the Bahamas we didn't hear any discussion among the boaters regarding Homeland Security's new "Local Boater Option" program you described in the Winter Scuttlebutt. I think the information and promotion has been a little slow coming out from the government, thus the lack of participation. In our case, it was the easiest check-in we've ever had. All finished in less than 5 minutes over the cell phone Sunday night at 9:00 after arriving in Miami. The program really works. —Tom Elliot KE3JO

SECRETARY, WRCC: I just read the article by our Scuttlebutt editor on the encounter with the South Carolina law enforcement officer, Robbie Smith. I feel that his mocking the accent of Mr. Smith was totally inappropriate for a publication such as ours. I realize it was a lefthanded attempt at humor but his repeated use of (accented colloquialisms) comes across as an attempt to portray Mr. Smith as an ignorant southerner when in reality the person fishing without a license was the only one displaying ignorance….. I feel sure if Officer Smith was visiting a northern state he might be amused and maybe baffled by the accents he would encounter but I also feel sure he would be too much of a southern gentleman to mock someone in his local law enforcement’s news letter. To make fun of someone at their expense is a cheap shot, whether it is their accent, race, religion, appearance, or boating choice (blow boater vs. stink pot…ok, on secondthought, maybe that one’s fair game). Officer Smith’s actions were very professional, polite, legal, and lenient in his dealings with the incurred infractions. What more would you ask of a law enforcement officer? Our club is above this level of humor and I feel we owe Officer Robbie Smith our apology. Sorry if I take this a little personal but I have fond memories of my childhood in the great southern states of South Carolina and Georgia and my mama raised me not to make fun of other people’s differences! —Walt Adams N4SIN

Ed. Reply: I regret that anyone was offended by my humorous account of an ill-conceived fishing expedition. For the record, Officer Smith is a professional, articulate and fully respectable law enforcement officer, and seems to be a nice guy. His soft-spoken, pleasant manner of speaking sounds just as I portrayed it, with no mockery or disrespect intended. My apologies to anyone who found the story objectionable.

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