Superstition ARC The President's Corner

For July 2018 By Steve, KB7KWK

In this Presidents corner I would like to write about how radio once again saved the day. It was the Friday before Field Day. I got off work early to head home and finish packing for the clubs Field Day camping trip up North. My wife Brenda took the full day off to finish shopping and packing so that when I got home we could get going so we didn’t have to set up camp in the dark. I loaded up the trailer with our quad and side by side and the rest of the camping gear and we were off. We made one stop to pick up my mom and we headed up. All was going well with the drive until we were climbing the hill at Mount Ord. About 100 yards from the top of the hill I noticed that the trucks lifters were really rattling so I asked Brenda to pull over so we could check it out. Before we could get pulled over the truck started blowing white smoke and died. We managed to roll to the side of the road and I got out and opened the hood. The truck was over heating badly so we waited for it to cool down and I added some water. This is a diesel truck so it took around 8 gallons to fill it back up. After starting the truck back up we noticed that it had a bad piston knock. So we were not going anywhere.

Believe it or not, we had no cell service here even though we could see the site on top of Mount Ord right there. Anytime we go on a trip I put a radio in Brenda’s truck, she is not a Ham so there is not a permanent mounted radio in there. I called out on the clubs repeater on 147.120 and to my surprise I was able to get into it. Andy KD4ABB heard my call and I asked him to phone Dan W7TWR to see if he had left for Field Day yet. While waiting to hear back from Andy I contacted Dale N7QJK and had him phone my brother Daniel to see if he could come up and tow the trailer back to the Valley.
Andy contacted me back on the radio and told me that Dan had not left yet because he was having trouble with the trailer brakes on his trailer. Dan then got on the radio and got my location and headed up. Dale got back to me and told me that my brother was on his way also. A few club members who were just leaving the valley heard this. All of them stopped by where we broke down and offered some help.

I would like to thank Mark WX7MB for stopping by to check on us. Also a big thanks to Craig KI7FAN for stopping by and taking as much of our equipment as he could fit into his truck and taking it up to the Field Day site for us. Brenda and I also invited our friends Kevin and Tina to go up for the weekend. They are not hams so I contacted Dale on the radio and asked him to give them a call to see if they had left yet. When Dale called them, they were at the Saguaro lake turn off. Kevin and Tina stopped by and we were able to fit the rest of our stuff in their camper. Around this time my brother and Dan arrived. Brenda and mom road with Kevin and Tina up to the Field Day site and I rode with Dan W7TWR to take the truck back to the valley on his car trailer. Dan later brought me all the way back to the Field Day location. I owe all of you a big thank you. Especially to Dan W7TWR for taking the truck home then turning right around and bringing me back up the mountain.
I wanted to tell this story not because of what happened to us, but to show how Ham radio can still help us out when needed. As you can see, the cell phone is not always reliable. So for all those new hams out there, this was a good example of how radio can help us out when needed.

Our next club event is going to be at Organ Stop Pizza on July 21st from 11:00 – 2:00. If you missed Field Day this is a great place to come out have some Pizza and hang out with the club members and their family and friends. We have a great time there. I also honor those club members who have helped out over the year. So come out and have some fun with good pizza and enjoy the fantastic organ music. Remember to check out our Club Calendar for more information on our Pizza Party at Organ Stop Pizza.

I look forward to seeing all of you at club meetings and outings in 2018. When you see me out there or hear me on the air, please say hello.

Your 2018 Club President
Steve Estes, KB7KWK

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