The Grid Leak November 2007 - December 2007

Published by the Houston Vintage Radio Association (www.hvra.org )

As HVRA grows, it is becoming more and more difficult to fit all of our news and articles into the seven page format of the printed mail out of the Grid Leak.  This has become much more of a problem since we have changed the Grid Leak to a bi-monthly publication.  Even more distressing is that much of the news in the Grid Leak is several weeks old by the time the Grid Leak arrives in the mailbox.  It has not been a fun job to cull through many wonderful pictures from our events to pick the one or two to go into the print edition of this publication.  Nor has it been fun to shelve a trinket of news or a nice article from one of the members, who took the time and effort to submit some material --- all their work for naught just because we run out of space.  In my own self-serving interest, it also takes a lot of work to put together this newsletter -- which becomes harder to do, knowing that today's technology can practically automate the entire effort.  I'm trudging down the road to publish a Grid Leak while Indy 500 cars are racing by.  That time could be spent doing more productive volunteering for the club.  The time has finally come to improve our communications service to our members and, with this Grid Leak, you are seeing the beginnings of that transition!

What is about to happen?  Well, first of all -- the native format for the Grid Leak will now be web page.  This means that we will "type-set" the Grid Leak as if it is going to be published as one or more web pages on www.hvra.org.  The web pages will be copied to go into the print version of the Grid Leak.  With this edition, this is what we are starting.  Next, we are going to automate the submission of Grid Leak articles, news, pictures, and events so that the Grid Leak writers can simply copy and paste their material -- through a web page -- for publication.  In a final stage of this transition, additions of articles, pictures, and event updates will be posted continuously -- enabling news to be practically immediately available to the membership.  Our intent will be to take "snapshots" of the Grid Leak for mail out and to periodically send email reminders of upcoming meetings and events, and to check the latest in the Grid Leak.  With these changes, we hope to solve some of our current limitations: a) we want to make more informative material available to our members, b) we want to be more timely in getting news out to the membership, and c) we need to reduce the amount of work and expense in publishing the Grid Leak.

Your thoughts, comments, and help are most welcome.  Feel free to give us you input, help, or support!

...Charles Knoboch, Grid Leak Editor, charles@omnilaw.com

What is happening to 2007?  It seems like the year somehow zipped past and now I’m pecking out my contribution to the final edition of the year's "Grid Leak"!  So in brief summary: The fall mega auction on September 22 was a super success!  Beautiful weather prevailed, a great turn out, lots of items, and great support from our loyal members and guests -- what more could we have asked for.  For the record, we consumed five dozen kolachies, three dozen donuts, four packages of cookies, two gallons of juice, and slam dunked nearly two gallons of coffee. My sincere thanks go to all who participated in bringing our fall event to a successful conclusion. Then quickly switching gears, we helped in getting the Houston Heritage Society's "Sounds of The Past" project up and running.  Again your spirit of volunteerism prevailed in bringing this endeavor to an on-time start. The efforts of V.P. Jim Calbeck, Editor, Charles Knobloch, Board Member Steve Casciola, and others in coordinating our involvement with the Heritage Society are commendable.  Many thanks too, to all who provided radios, memorabilia, and labor for the four month long exhibit.  If you have not visited the museum yet, please plan to do so in the coming months. Along with the cooler months of fall, activities aboard the Battleship USSTexas will continue, so we will be asking for volunteers to help there. In a few short months our annual convention will be upon us.  Let's plan ahead and try to have some nice items for the contest and auctions.  Also, please note that we have some important contests for your participation in June, August, and October of 2008.  In the meantime, stay tuned and watch our web site as more events unfold as the leaves begin to fall.

... Bill

Approximately sixty members and guests were on hand for our annual fall mega auction. During the four plus hour long event, 309 items crossed the auction block, of which 253 found new owners.  Gross auction sales came to nearly $6,000.00 of which 10% was added to our treasury.  Special thanks to members Ron Soyland and Bill Kendrick for your generous donations of two beautifully restored “gold star” radios to our treasury for Heritage Society support.  Your donations pushed our monetary drive over the goal and kept our treasury in sound territory for future events.    

HVRA President interviewd on KUHF    

Laurie Johnson of KUHF interviewed HVRA President Bill Werzner.  

Go to http://www.kuhf.org/newsaudio/2007/10/071001heritage.m3u to hear the interview.

Go to http://www.kuhf.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=21780&news_iv_ctrl=1521 to read the story.

 Houston Heritage Society "Sounds of the Past"

Approximately one hundred fifty attended the opening night of the Houston Heritage Society's "Sounds of the Past" Exhibit.  You must see the pictures and videos (yes, we had vintage dancing at this event!) on the www.hvra.org website.  Here are a few pictures, enjoy! 

HVRA Annual Election Results

During the September meeting members reelected the following officers by acclimation to serve two year terms:  Jim Calbeck, V.P.; Al Kocian, Secretary; Bob Wood, At Large Position 1.      

CHARLES VINCENT BEDNAR a.k.a. "Uncle Charlie" Born Dec 19, 1920: Died June 29, 2007 following a lengthy illness.  He was born in Heights Annex and attended Love Elementary, Hamilton Junior High and Reagan High School.  He earned a B.S. degree in chemistry in 1943 from the University of Houston while serving in the US armed forces.  Uncle Charlie volunteered in 1942, served in USAAF until 1943, and then in the US army medical corps, 28^th medical field hospital, to May 1946.  His tour places included England, France, Belgium, (Ardennes) and Germany.  He was in occupation duty in Japan.  Eight medals and awards were granted to him for his honorable services.  In 1947, Gwendolyn Goff became his wife.  She was a faithful and loving wife until her death April 5, 2004. Uncle Charlie was employed by Shell Research and Development Corp for 43 years.  His hobby was an Amateur Radio Operator (W5UMC) for 55 years.  Survivors include his brother, HVRA member Emil, and sister-in-law, Vickie Bednar, along with several nephews and nieces.  Uncle Charlie was an active member and devoted judge in HVRA equipment contests during the 1980’s.   R.I.P Charlie and 73’s     

October 27 Meeting, Program, & Auction

This is a meeting that all aspiring HAMs or HAM wannabes will want to attend.  HVRA Historian, Reid Shipp, will clue you in on what it takes to obtain a HAM license.  So now you can ditch that CB linear, quit hiding from the FCC, and learn how to legally join the wonderful world of HAM radio.  Following Reid’s presentation, the regular monthly auction will start at 10:15 AM or shortly thereafter.  Remember, coffee, juice, donuts and snacks will be available for a small fee starting at 9 AM.  See you at the Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet (one block west of Hillcroft) in southwest Houston.   

Electronics Classes Planning to Resume in 2008

With the closure and pending sale of the New Garden Chinese Restaurant, we had to postpone plans for our next series of classes.  Tentative plans call for resumption next spring, possibly starting in early March, in the Bayland Park Community Center.  Discussions with the center will begin in the near future for Saturday morning scheduling         

of classes, possibly in the center’s library room.  Watch our web site for details.

USS Texas Tours Resume

If you are an electronics buff, like engineering, or fancy being a spelunker; this is a tour you have to take!  As the weather cools, the Battleship Texas will once again host Saturday Hard Hat tours.  This is where you get to see closed off areas not open to the public that include: the boiler room, inside a 14” gun turret, steering, plot, radio rooms, generating rooms and the gargantuan electric switchboard (yes, she was a DC powered ship). Tours are taken in guided groups of ten or twelve and last for about three and a half hours.  You are given a hard hat following the safety introduction as you will be going into some tight places and up and down ladders.  Wear old clothes and bring a good flashlight.  For reservations call Barbara Tankink at (281) 479-2431, ext. 234.  For additional details, go to www.usstexasbb35.com/hard-hat-tours.htm.  The Texas is located at the San Jacinto Battleground, just off Highway 134, in La Porte, TX.      

The Trouble Shooter  - Restringing the Philco 71 dial

by Bill Werzner