Messages

1

Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Pearl Harbor Day?

« on: December 07, 2010, 11:44:32 AM »

Well as a 'Non-serving" member of our group - let me say "thank-you" to all of you who have and are serviing in our  country's military. Without you we would not be able to exercise our rights and most likely would not be the America we have come to under appreciate. Thanks to all of you and best Holiday wishes moving forward!

Charlie - W5HOY

2

Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: How can you help a Museum Boat?

« on: November 18, 2010, 03:46:58 PM »

Is that where those "streakie water marks" come from on the side of the boat - at 2 AM? 

Charlie-W5HOY

3

Museum Submarine Discussion / Pete Dewitt - Another key Subvet

« on: November 10, 2010, 03:08:17 PM »

Hi All

Just got this news about Pete Dewitt  Kf4PDH- another of the subvets who is active in same circles as Jim Flanders -

I received a call from Pete's daughter Lori (my God daughter) that he is in the hospital in Jacksboro, Tennessee.  She found him on the floor yesterday (Tuesday) when she went to check on him.  She said he has congestive heart failure, and pneumonia.  She said he was having a problem getting Oxygen into his lungs (again).  He has been on O²  24/7 for quite a while now.
He had told me he had been taking water pills to try and keep the water content down, but they would interact with some of his other meds he was taking.  So, they were trying to "Get a balance".  I just talked with him via a SKYPE Video call on Monday evening, and he seemed OK at that time.
I'll send more along as I find out from Lori.  Let's keep him in our prayers


Charlie W5HOY

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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: Jim Flanders sick!

« on: November 10, 2010, 10:17:50 AM »

Hello EI just got off the phone with Marie Flanders, Jim's wife.  The open heart surgery went OK on Monday.  He went in at 0930 and was after 1600 when he came out.  He is still in a lot of pain right now.  They removed the breathing tubes today, and he was able to drink a little bit of water.  It is planned that tomorrow (Wednesday) to remove the drain tubes from the areas around his lungs and heart because he seems to be clearing up in that area fine. 
In a nutshell, Jim had quadruple by-pass done, and he still also has the one stent in place.  He is still in the ICU so no phone calls yet.  Marie took the lap-top home, so no contact there. (Don't want to leave it just laying around, plus he won't be able to use it for a little while). 
They had him sitting up today for a while, and plan to get him again tomorrow a couple of times.
She will call me with any future updates.

Side note to John, W8DKI.  Jim had a heart attack last Wednesday.  He was at his doctor's office because he was starting to have another episode like he had last May.  Weak, dizzy, and all-around yucky feeling.  Fortunately the doctor saw this first-hand and had an EKG run on him.  He took one look at it and told Jim to get to his cardiologist PDQ.  He did and was promptly admitted for angioplasty.  One stent was put in place at that time, then observation for a day or two, then on Monday, the open heart surgery.

Also, while I am advising of medical conditions, Frank, W5RNF is still in a nursing home/medical facility in Plano.  Apparently his Kidneys are shutting down and he has to have dialysis.  He has had some ports implanted for this process, but it will take 4 or more weeks or so for them to properly "Seal up" with no infections and the like.  John, KC5RIN has been trying to hold the Good Ol' Boys group together each evening.

That's all I have for now guys & gals.  I will pass along more information when Marie calls me with it.  I am NOT going to pester her.  She has enough on her plate right now
veryone - I got this today concerning Jim Flanders surgery - UPDATE:

Charlie -W5HOY

5

Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: COD's Reenactor Project 2010

« on: October 04, 2010, 03:24:05 PM »

I was one of those guys who took a quick nap and it was funny to hear folks as they passed by - "wow" they even have guys who fake sleeping!", or "papa, there's a dead guy up there" - good fun and great interaction with the visitors...

charlie-W5HOY

6

Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Re: HAM Radio Operations

« on: August 31, 2010, 02:25:13 PM »

HI Mark

That is the plan - along with relocation of the tower to a more secluded spot. 

7

Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Re: HAM Radio Operations - Batfish Update

« on: August 30, 2010, 02:52:08 PM »

Hello All -

After our Living History weekend, several of the HAMs went to work reviewing our exisiting installation and made a few modifications - Sam (our lead HAM for the boat) took the new Kenwood TS-440 and re-attached several of the existing items to get us back up to speed. The Boat is now working full steam ahead with 5-600 watts of power. Outside antenna work will continue as we are seeing some changes in the grounds around the boat, and are actively reviewing our options for long-wire as was original.

http://www.qrz.com/db/WW2SUB/1282853605

HTX-212 FM (2 meters) RADIO,KENWOOD TS-440,AMERITRON 811 A AMP, 1.5KW TUNER

SPEEDX BUG (CIRCA 1940'S).

Any question just shoot a reply- Charlie W5HOY

8

Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Living History Weekend USS Batfish - Radio Operations

« on: August 18, 2010, 03:51:31 PM »

Hello Everyone

Sort of a post mortem on the Living History weekend at the Batfish -

I am really proud of the HAM crew that came to participate - and more especially the two members that worked inside the boat. They came prepared and dressed for the ocassion! I asked that they honor the need to look the part and both were ready to go..

The inside crew working the WW2SUB call sign focused on CW (Morse Code) for the entire day. Over 300 visitors passed by the radio room and saw them working the wires hard and fast. An additional crew member worked with them and the public to explain what was happening and from everyone's comments it went really well.

The crew was able to make contacts throughout the day  - and to the delight of the operators, were able to make several DX calls including Berlin!

Two additional stations were set up - museum level and outside working the WW2OK call sign. They worked both CW and Voice and also made alot of contacts. I worked the boat Friday night on Voice (primarily 20M) and my highlights were European Russia, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Navaho Code Talkers (N7C), and my last call Saturday morning was JA9PPC - Japan. It was interesting to explain to him why we were celebrating VJ day!

All in all we established a good working relationship with the LH team, had some great fun and created some new enthusiasm for coming back again in Feb. 2011.


We look forward to being a part of this again soon!

Charlie (W5HOY)

9

Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Living History Weekend USS Batfish - Radio Operations

« on: August 10, 2010, 10:38:12 AM »

Hello All

We are 2 days away from Living History weekend for the USS Batfish and radio operations are underway. Update - We have two (2) CW operators confirmed for Saturday who will be operating from inside the boat. Freq and times are not set. The operations will work from 9AM to 5PM (15;00 UTC -23:00 UTC) CDST - The Call Sign will be WW2SUB. 

There will also be a operations setting up in the museum operating same hours but using CW and Voice - Call Sign will be WW2OK.  They will be working all major bands.

After 23:00 UTC the boat will go to Voice and we will be working primarily 40 / 80 meters. I will be working the OMISS nets at 40M (7.185) starting at 01:00 UTC (8PM) CDST and then switching over to the 80M net at 3.942 at 02:00 UTC or 9PM CDST.  We will be checking in under my Call Sign W5HOY #6050 and will list the WW2SUB as a "freebie". We will QSL Cards all contacts.

We will go as long as we need to on Saturday night (14th). If you would like to set up a call after 5PM Local just let me know and I will try to arrange.

There are some storms predicted for the area on Saturday so we will work around as needed.

Regards,

Charlie -W5HOY

10

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Painting?

« on: July 29, 2010, 03:05:55 PM »

yahoooooo- Good work guys!

 

11

Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Living History Weekend USS Batfish - Radio Operations

« on: July 28, 2010, 09:56:20 AM »

Hello All

The USS Batfish Living History weekend is coming August 13-14th 2010. As part of that operation we are planning to mann the radio room with an operator who will be transmitting CW for most of the day.

We have not decided times, frequencies, etc., but will be doing so as soon as possible. After museum hours we will be TX on normal voice frequencies, i.e., 20,40, and 80 meters. Will be checking into some of the nets etc., so watch for us.

Any questions contact me and we can see if we can arrange a hook-up. Cards will be issued under WW2SUB/WW2OK.

Regards
Charlie - W5HOY

12

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: BLHA

« on: July 26, 2010, 11:25:34 AM »

Hi

Have you had a live radio  operator there before?

Charlie - W5HOY

13

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Electrical Survey

« on: July 19, 2010, 10:51:39 PM »

We had our follow up meeting last Saturday and confirmed what we saw on the 1st pass with John. We have commandered a new volunteer "Butch" who is a licensed electrican to hep bringus into some type of "code" work.

Here is the report:

MEETING NOTES- JULY 17TH 2010

OVERVIEW OF PROJECT - CHARLIE / JOHN REVIEW

OVERVIEW OF PROJECT - JOHN/BUTCH -7/16/10

A. Butch confirmed original walkthrough by John and Charlie - made notations of safety issues

Recommendations:

Remove drop cord receptacle.

Remove or re-position receptacle coming out of A/C disconnect

Reposition A/C disconnect (possible code violation)


B. Confirmed that Cathodic Protection was being handled by OGE. They will continue this service.

 
C. A/C units are on separate service to the boat. (Not to be included in Amp needs for boat)

 
D. Confirmed that we have 100A service coming into the boat.

 
E. Butch recommends that we should incase incoming line into conduit (type TBD at later date)

 
F. Discussion about moving incoming line to a "bottom" location and coming up rather from top down.

 
G. Butch has offered his labor and licence expertise. Material will need to separate issue.

 
3. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS:


A. Charlie recommended that for long-term safety and ease of maintaining the system that a new distribution board be located in the bottom of the boat - Rick indicated that he was on the same mind and had done some pre-investigation and there is a room about the middle of the boat that can be used as a work/electrical service are where we could locate the new board. The new board will facilitate a new distribution system where it could be safety locked. Moving forward the new system would eliminate the need for "tapping" lines without documentation, extension cords, etc., Documentation for new projects could be done and service orders completed for all other areas of the boat.


B. Currently lighting is switched to "red" for those times where overnights are planned. Officers quarters can be switched to total darkness at this time. Emergency lighting needs to be re-checked and put on A/C lines to ensure that it is on when general power to the boat is off.

C. Main disconnect of power to the boat should remain at the museum level.

D. A general review of lighting circuits etc., needs to be traced to see what switches are alive and are within code requirements. All lighting panelboards need to be re-checked for proper fusing and workability. All panels need to have a lock-out/tag-out capability to avoid prying hands.

E. Special care needs to done when running new conduit system through bulkheads. BH integrity needs to be maintained. Should system require entrance through firestop entries, new material will need to be repacked.

F. Review of Fire Safety procedures needs to be adressed.

G. Development of new work order form for electrical use on the boat.

H. Develop key contact list for electrical team for review of all electrical request


A

14

Submarine Related Chatter / Re: Shipboard Work Orders

« on: July 19, 2010, 10:44:18 PM »

THANKS DARRIN
 
This is an important process. I am going to do some additional research to just in case we don't have the reinvent the wheel. With our boat crew still pretty small we can do some of these things without too much disruption. A good idea came out of our meeting last weekend in using the small wire tags that some of the Utility Companies use to lockout on permanent basis some of the loose equipment and thenuse the Navy tags recommended here for quick projects. Good stuff. Would like to have a few handy for the boat. Will see if I can appropriate some!

Will keep you up to date!

Charlie

15

Submarine Related Chatter / Shipboard Work Orders

« on: July 19, 2010, 04:03:45 PM »

Hello All

We are starting to put together the electrical team for the USS Batfish and as such want to use a "Work Order" process, where a project is defined, reviewed and signed off by the electrical team. Do we know if such a process was standard on WWII boats and if so, does anyone have a "template" that we can review? Documentation and standard practices is what we are striving for.

Thanks
Charlie Hoy
USS Batfish