[Boringiss] Welcome

[Tree N6TR]

I started this mail list, so that we can exchange information about the
upcoming QSO between the ISS and Deep Creek Elementary.

Send your messages to boringiss@kkn.net and they will be sent to everyone
on this list.

Currently, the members are:

Connie Rice - the "boss"

Kerry - Our "coach" and NASA interface.

Larry (aka Tree) - The ham radio nerd who has a couple of kids going to
this school.

Greg Milnes - Another ham radio nerd who is actually a nice guy and plays a 
judge in real life.  I am hoping Greg can join our effort and be our PR man.
Greg is also the NorthWestern director for the American Radio Relay League.

Stan Griffiths - Another ham radio nerd who is a Nice Individual (his callsign
is W7NI) and has the most complete electronics surplus collection in Oregon,
all in the big shack in the back of his yard.  

Nancy Culolias - Someone who puts up with being married to a radio nerd and
the mother of the two above mentioned childern.

Others will be added as I cofirm their role, availability and e-mail address.

Kerry will be updating us on the dates as they become closer.  Here is a 
brief summary of the "current thinking" about the event:

1. It will be fun.

2. Connie is working with some of the teachers to figure out what classes
will be directly involved.  Trying to decide if 3/4th graders are the best
ones to involve directly.

3. The pass could be as short as 8 minutes - so we will need to have a dry
run to make sure everyone knows what to do.  This should take place the
week before the big event - or perhaps a couple of days before if we have
that much resolution on the schedule.  This will be a "dress" rehersal
so we can work out any technical issues.  We will arrange for someone to
be on the other end of the radio as well.

4. We expect the operating position to be outside, in a large covered
area.  This will allow the operating position to have visual contact 
with the antenna people.  The main antenna will be manually positioned
on the ISS, using a small tower and a big stick.  A complete secondary
station, powered from my car, will be ready in case of a power or equipment
failure.  

5. Connie is going to take care of contacting the press.  We should have defined
areas of where they will be, so they don't get in the way.  

6. It would be good to have someone who can act as photographer.  I would like
to have a web page put together after the event describing it in words and 
pictures.  This should show the construction of the station along with the
actual event.

7. The two antennas that will be used were ordered yesterday and will be
delivered to Tree right after new year's.

8. Did I mention this is going to be fun?

Feel free to post quesitons here.

Larry "Tree" Tyree
tree@kkn.net