Bob C

Who would want to burn a soggy twig just to create more carbon and some toxic gasses from whatever unnatural substance was used to seal the wood? Carbon fiber is much more environmentally friendly.

Squelch circuits described in this thread come in one of two flavors: 1. Analog implementation: a potentiometer sets the reference voltage for a comparator and the other input is the received-signal strength indication (RSSI), derived from either a multistage log/limiting amplifier (SA636 or similar) or from the limiter current in a cheaper discrete IF strip. The CARRIER LEVEL's (not the audio!) exceeding a preset threshold unmutes the audio. Adjustment of the squelch threshold is continuous via the potentiometer. The drawback is that potentiometers get dirty and can fail over time AND the shaft hs to somehow pass through a waterproof barrier. 2. Digital implementation: an ADC measures the RSSI signal and a microcontroller sets the mute threshold. When the carrier level is above a certain threshold the microcontroller unmutes the audio. Adjustment is in discrete steps with levels as defined by the programmer. These can use a push switch with a waterproof membrane between the outside world and the contacts to set the squelch by cycling through a few settings. These radios are still mostly analog; the microcontroller controls the synthesizer and the squelch. My IC88 still uses a potentiometer to set the audio level. Neither solution uses DSP (digital signal processing); neither solution is a software-defined radio, which is a much more complicated and expensive implementation of a receiver. In both cases the squelch is opened up by the carrier level (or signal strength), not the audio level. Hope this helps! Bob

A sassenach! Oi vey!

Photos of a fun evening posted at http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/album87 Regards, Bob

Hi Christopher, Rick Crangle gave the "beach briefing" on the water just after we launched. You were there -- I took your picture! Sorry about the "senior" moment! Cheers!

Started with a beach briefing, discussion of CAM, head count of 15, coordinated our radios on Channel 72, and of course fun in rocks whilst island hopping. Covered about 12 nautical miles with periodic stops to regroup. Saw (and smelled!) assorted birds and one curious seal who watched us play in rocks. Pictures and route at http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/album86

Cheap plastic and they come in a small roll a bit larger than a 35mm film canister. Bob

Petco... Dogs Rule! Well, they do other things, too, which is why Petco sells... Doggie Bags! Cheers, Bob, on behalf of Rory and Fergus

Practice session focused on requirements of the BCU 2*/3* award. Thursday May 22 from 5:30 PM till 7:30 PM at Chebacco Lake. We’re not planning to swim but it usually happens, so dress for immersion! Bob C & Bill G BCU L2 Coaches

Hi Paul, I've driven both BMWs and Audis and the Audi handles better. (Note that I voted with both my feet and my wallet.) The Audi is also better in fit and finish. Our A3 does 34-35 mpg with no kayaks and the 2.0L w/turbo ensures that you can get up to speed on the highway. I shudder to think how fast a "chipped" version of the A3 would be. With two kayaks and bow/stern tie downs (using Joe's brilliant method of using the tow points as the attachment points) it does 27-28 mpg (return trip from Georgia with THREE* kayaks on board). Any questions or test drives, email Deb or I. Cheers, Bob *Romany LV, WS Tempest 165, Mega Impulse

Hi Ernie, If you and the guys are interested, I can teach strokes at a few sessions. I met some of you last year when Billy and I taught rolling. I'll warn you, though, I have imbibed the BCU Kool Aid! Let me know. Bob

Hi Blain, We're about the same size so here are some boats I like: Valley: Pintail (though slightly big for me) - my rock and surf boat Avocet - my new go-to boat Anas Acuta P&H I like the Cetus but it's way too big for me -- I'm probably 30-40 lbs too light -- but it's a very nice kayak. The other P&H boats tend to have too-large cockpits for my taste. NDK Romany LV - one sweet boat, have paddled my wife's. Standard Romany is the right size for us. Explorer LV - another sweet boat, have paddled my wife's WS Tempest 165 is my former go-to- boat. Rides a bit high in the water and because of this I really got blown around in 25 kt winds, hence move to Avocet. Layup a bit light. Paddle lots of boats until you find the one you like. Hit all the demo days this summer and see what outfitters have. Take lessons from **competent** instructors. Cheers, Bob

A classroom at Salem State? I've heard that you've got connections... ;-)

Yes, not for flotation but as body armor!

I discovered that my pictures of the immersion portion of the workshop exceeded the maximum allowed file size for posting to NSPN. I'll upload them elsewhere and post a link here. Bob

Deb and I paddled the Herring River with her cousin Tim as local guide a few years back in our first kayaks, Old Town ®Egrets. We put it at the landing at Rt 28 and paddled up to the head on a warm fall day. Beautiful scenery, lots of wildlife and gentle current. Also a few snapping turtles. Have fun! Bob & Deb

Deb also won "Hot Babe" at the Halloween party for her portrayal of a 1960s groupie! I'm so proud of both accomplishments! Bob (aka the husband and "Andy Warhol")

So I don't have the hang of this quote thing... Deb and I use a Canon A510 in the waterproof case. Optics are great, zoom is great, and picture resolution is excellent (3.2 Mpixels) and makes decent 8x10 or full-screen images on a 19-in monitor. It also takes video. It is bulky but not a big deal unless it's getting rough. Sample pictures: Closeup: http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/Solstice-...e-2007/IMG_0994 With Zoom: http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/Solstice-...e-2007/IMG_0993 On The Rocks: http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/Lanesvill...t-2007/IMG_1217 Cheers! Bob

It would be fun to head down the boathouse rowing tank with a quiver of kayaks and some "control" dead weights (volunteer paddlers) and plot the pull on a spring scale vs water (hull) speed for each kayak, just to get some raw data for different boats. It wouldn't be definitive because much depends on the engine as Rick stated and Greg Barton's recent time in the Blackburn Challenge proved. But it would be a fun experiment!

It's still on. Reinforcements have arrived.

This L2 is still on! Deb, Walter, Billy, and I will be joining Gilly. Last year's trip was a lot of fun, with visits to the festival and a tour of the ships in residence. Bob