Sorry for the long gap in feeding the hungry blog. A lot of what I've been doing has been fairly complicated, but not very blogogenic. Here are some new developments, though. Late Thursday night, I decided that I had not accomplished enough so far in this visit, and also had not done enough outside of radio work, so I would delay my return and spend the next three days with my Lenca friends in a journey of recollection and commemoration. We traveled to Santa Marta, El Salvador, to celebrate the solidarity of the Lencas with the Salvadoran refugees who lived here in camps among the Lencas during the Salvadoran civil war which ended in 1992.
That was one amazing adventure, fording rivers on foot and in a bus, joining a hoard of others in a tug-of-war style mass pulling of several huge trucks up a soggy mud highway slope, passing through some beautiful scenery, while laughing to hours of Lenca humor and singing and cheering along with about 70 others. The event was beautiful, despite the sweltering Salvadoran sun. We bounced and swayed over the mountain into La Esperanza about 2 a.m. Sunday night full of dirt and memories.
Now my return to the U.S. is scheduled for Wed. the 28th. There's still a lot to do here, but things are getting done as well. Taking advantage of a day without electricity, I dug a 60 foot trench to the transmitter building from the Utopia building, and buried an audio feedline which will bring all the programming to the AM transmitter when the installation is complete. Last night we got the COPINH office computer system partly back in operation, after weeks of not being able to connect to the internet.
We're moving into the dry season here in La Esperanza. The clay streets are getting as hard as rock, though with a fine layer of dust on top. People are already cutting this down by throwing water on the streets.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Peace, Bill
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Exito!!
No, that doesn't mean I'm leaving yet,"ëxito" is Spanish for "success". I've just gotten the FM signal to sound a lot better, and gotten the AM tuning spiffed up enough to tune up the transmitter into it's comfortable range for the first time. The weather here is cold for Honduras (mid 40's), with a lot of wind. Makes me thankful for the inefficiency of the transmitter, which causes it to put about 1 kilowatt of heat into the transmitter building where I have my workshop set up. (None of the buildings here have heat, and many have a lot of gaps for the cool air to whistle through.)
Peace, Bill
Peace, Bill
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Back in La Esperanza
Sorry to be so long in writing stuff to the blog. I've been here in La Esperanza for about 1 week, but what with power outages, and rain blocking off the satellite internet reception, it's been hard to get a chance to upload stuff.
The weather here is cold [for here] -- 50 degree days, and nights probably into the lower 40's, but rainy and raw. It seems pretty cold, since none of the buildings have heat, and some are "well ventilated" to boot. The people are warm and it's really good to be back with these folks.
Right after I arrived, there was a "taller" or workshop, on organizational internal structuring and politics, part of a four session series, given by a group from Tegucigalpa and held at Utopia. Though I was doing other things, I got to enjoy great food and conversation during their breaks. [Ever tried tortillas broken up and soaked in coffee with milk and sugar? It's a strange combination, but it works! -- Kinda like rosquias, says the woman who demonstrated the delicacy. I guess I have to cultivate that taste.]
I've brought a lot of small parts and new test equipment this time which make it possible to upgrade parts of the transmitters and antenna system which need improvement. The AM station has been operating at somewhat lower power than it's licensed for, so I want to get that up to full power and make it reliable enough to run a good long time without problems.
I've rebuilt the antenna tuning unit, but it's either been really rainy or the power's been off, so I haven't been able to use the snazzy new antenna analyzer which Gray Haertig has loaned us, except to do initial checks on the tuning. Even so, that's helped a lot.
That's it till later. Peace, Bill
The weather here is cold [for here] -- 50 degree days, and nights probably into the lower 40's, but rainy and raw. It seems pretty cold, since none of the buildings have heat, and some are "well ventilated" to boot. The people are warm and it's really good to be back with these folks.
Right after I arrived, there was a "taller" or workshop, on organizational internal structuring and politics, part of a four session series, given by a group from Tegucigalpa and held at Utopia. Though I was doing other things, I got to enjoy great food and conversation during their breaks. [Ever tried tortillas broken up and soaked in coffee with milk and sugar? It's a strange combination, but it works! -- Kinda like rosquias, says the woman who demonstrated the delicacy. I guess I have to cultivate that taste.]
I've brought a lot of small parts and new test equipment this time which make it possible to upgrade parts of the transmitters and antenna system which need improvement. The AM station has been operating at somewhat lower power than it's licensed for, so I want to get that up to full power and make it reliable enough to run a good long time without problems.
I've rebuilt the antenna tuning unit, but it's either been really rainy or the power's been off, so I haven't been able to use the snazzy new antenna analyzer which Gray Haertig has loaned us, except to do initial checks on the tuning. Even so, that's helped a lot.
That's it till later. Peace, Bill
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Getting Ready to Go Again!
Well, lots of preparations are underway for returning to La Esperanza at the end of this month. We received the coils and capacitors necessary to completely rebuild the Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU). This will make the transmitter "like" the antenna more, thus delivering the maximum amount of power to the listeners' radios, and wasting less in the process. In addition one added componant will help block lightning and static discharges from messing up the transmitter. Big thanks again to Gray Haertig and Kintronic Laboratories for donating these parts. And, again to Gray for lending us his brand new antenna analyzer, which, in conjunction with a laptop, will make that tuning process a quick and easy procedure. (I can't wait to try this little gizmo out!
In addition, we're bringing a lot of little parts to rebuild critical sections of the two transmitters. All in all, things should be a lot more stable and reliable when it's all done.
Keep checking the blog , especially after the 28th, for more pictures and updates from La Esperanza and La Voz Lenca!
Peace, Bill
In addition, we're bringing a lot of little parts to rebuild critical sections of the two transmitters. All in all, things should be a lot more stable and reliable when it's all done.
Keep checking the blog , especially after the 28th, for more pictures and updates from La Esperanza and La Voz Lenca!
Peace, Bill
Friday, October 05, 2007
Inauguration Day in English
Here's a translation I made of Refugio's beautiful description of La Voz Lenca's inauguration day festivities, together with a few of the pictures he sent
--------------------
The inauguration festival of the La Voz Lenca [The Voice of the Lencas] on 1580 AM, began about 2:30 [last Saturday], although many people arrived early and the cooking had started the day before.
First, everybody who came from the COPINH communities had a meeting. They mentioned each community, organization and person who participated. They were asked to raise their hands if they were there, and everybody applauded for them. Also they mentioned PCP and COMPPA, as well as all the unknown people who helped to get La Voz Lenca on the air. They summarized a brief history of COPINH's project of community communication.
After that, a Lenca prayer was said around the transmitter building. The people looked to the four cardinal points and asked that it go well for the people who struggle in those four directions, and also for the communities of COPINH, and that the AM radio be a good tool for the communities.
The transmitter building was blessed, and then they walked to the base of tower, to also bless the antenna.
At that point, a live transmission began which presented the programming of La Voz Lenca. Women and men spoke in the name of the communities and projects of COPINH. Also transmitted were words of solidarity from representatives of the other organizations which had come to celebrate the birth of the AM station.
Then began the dance, during which the special transmission continued. Finally, in the kitchen, the soup and the carne asada (meat cooked in a sour sauce with onions and hot peppers), the vegetables and the tortillas were ready. The people ate, standing or sitting on the ground, like people of the country, like people of struggle.
Later some people had to go, others stayed on to dance all night.
A simple day, but very full of ceremonies and signs.
-----------------------------
Here are some more pictures --
empezando el baile
con alegria
primera transmision en vivo
sopa de toro casi lista
el corrido de la voz lenca
blessing the transmitter building
--------------------
The inauguration festival of the La Voz Lenca [The Voice of the Lencas] on 1580 AM, began about 2:30 [last Saturday], although many people arrived early and the cooking had started the day before.
First, everybody who came from the COPINH communities had a meeting. They mentioned each community, organization and person who participated. They were asked to raise their hands if they were there, and everybody applauded for them. Also they mentioned PCP and COMPPA, as well as all the unknown people who helped to get La Voz Lenca on the air. They summarized a brief history of COPINH's project of community communication.
After that, a Lenca prayer was said around the transmitter building. The people looked to the four cardinal points and asked that it go well for the people who struggle in those four directions, and also for the communities of COPINH, and that the AM radio be a good tool for the communities.
The transmitter building was blessed, and then they walked to the base of tower, to also bless the antenna.
At that point, a live transmission began which presented the programming of La Voz Lenca. Women and men spoke in the name of the communities and projects of COPINH. Also transmitted were words of solidarity from representatives of the other organizations which had come to celebrate the birth of the AM station.
Then began the dance, during which the special transmission continued. Finally, in the kitchen, the soup and the carne asada (meat cooked in a sour sauce with onions and hot peppers), the vegetables and the tortillas were ready. The people ate, standing or sitting on the ground, like people of the country, like people of struggle.
Later some people had to go, others stayed on to dance all night.
A simple day, but very full of ceremonies and signs.
-----------------------------
Here are some more pictures --
empezando el baile
con alegria
primera transmision en vivo
sopa de toro casi lista
el corrido de la voz lenca
blessing the transmitter building
A Wonderful Inauguration Day
Here's the letter I just received from Refugio of Comppa, describing the formal sign-on activities of La Voz Lenca. I'll do a translation soon, and I'll put up some pictures of the event next time I get to high speed internet. Peace, Bill
------------
La fiesta de inauguración de La Voz Lenca en el 1580 de AM, empezó como a
las 2 y media, aunque mucha gente llegó desde temprano y desde el día
anterior había empezado la cocinada.
Se reunió primero toda la gente que venía de las comunidades del COPINH,
mencionaban cada comunidad, organización y persona que participó, se
preguntaba si estaba, si estaban levantaban las manos y toda la gente les
aplaudía. También mencionaron a PCP y a COMPPA, así como a toda la gente
que sin conocerse apoyó para que Radio La Voz Lenca esté en el aire. Se
rememoró una breve historia del proyecto de comunicación comunitaria del
Copinh.
Después se hizo una oración lenca alrededor de la casa de los
transmisores. La gente miró a los cuatro puntos cardinales y pidió por que
le vaya bien a la gente que lucha en los cuatro rumbos, también se pidió
por las comunidades del Copinh y por que la radio AM sea una buena
herramienta para las comunidades.
Se bendijo la casa de los transmisores y luego se caminó a la base de la
torre, para bendecir también la antena.
De ahí inició una transmisión en vivo, que presentó la programación de la
voz Lenca, hablaron mujeres y hombres a nombre de las comunidades y
proyectos del Copinh, también se transmitieron palabras solidarias de
gente de las organizaciones que vinieron a celebrar el nacimiento de la
frecuencia AM.
Luego inició el baile, mientras continuaba la transmisión especial.
Finalmente en la cocina la sopa y la carne asada, las verduras y las
tortillas estuvieron listas, la gente comió, de pié y en el suelo, como
gente del campo, como gente de lucha.
Luego algunas personas se tuvieron que ir, otras se quedaron a bailar toda
la noche.
Un día sencillo, pero muy lleno de ceremonias y signos.
------------
La fiesta de inauguración de La Voz Lenca en el 1580 de AM, empezó como a
las 2 y media, aunque mucha gente llegó desde temprano y desde el día
anterior había empezado la cocinada.
Se reunió primero toda la gente que venía de las comunidades del COPINH,
mencionaban cada comunidad, organización y persona que participó, se
preguntaba si estaba, si estaban levantaban las manos y toda la gente les
aplaudía. También mencionaron a PCP y a COMPPA, así como a toda la gente
que sin conocerse apoyó para que Radio La Voz Lenca esté en el aire. Se
rememoró una breve historia del proyecto de comunicación comunitaria del
Copinh.
Después se hizo una oración lenca alrededor de la casa de los
transmisores. La gente miró a los cuatro puntos cardinales y pidió por que
le vaya bien a la gente que lucha en los cuatro rumbos, también se pidió
por las comunidades del Copinh y por que la radio AM sea una buena
herramienta para las comunidades.
Se bendijo la casa de los transmisores y luego se caminó a la base de la
torre, para bendecir también la antena.
De ahí inició una transmisión en vivo, que presentó la programación de la
voz Lenca, hablaron mujeres y hombres a nombre de las comunidades y
proyectos del Copinh, también se transmitieron palabras solidarias de
gente de las organizaciones que vinieron a celebrar el nacimiento de la
frecuencia AM.
Luego inició el baile, mientras continuaba la transmisión especial.
Finalmente en la cocina la sopa y la carne asada, las verduras y las
tortillas estuvieron listas, la gente comió, de pié y en el suelo, como
gente del campo, como gente de lucha.
Luego algunas personas se tuvieron que ir, otras se quedaron a bailar toda
la noche.
Un día sencillo, pero muy lleno de ceremonias y signos.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Pictures
Here's pictures of people working during the construction of La Voz Lenca. There are more, but I have to find a good place to upload them. I hope you enjoy these till the next time! (You can click on any picture in this blog to enlarge it.)
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Happy Birthday!
La Voz Lenca is officially born. The inauguration of the station happened Saturday. Here, we dedicated a huge bonfire to the station. To match that fiery beginning, here's a photo Refugio just sent of the tower at night with the red light on top. More photos soon! Peace, Bill
Friday, September 28, 2007
Inauguration Day !!
Tomorrow, Saturday, is the official inaguration day of La Voz Lenca. Even though we're 2500 miles away, I'm planning a bit of a celebration myself. Here's the word from Refugio --
Aquí el sábado es la inauguración de Radio La Voz Lenca AM. Ahorita hay
una jornada previa de capacitación para corresponsales comunitarios del
proyecto de comunicación popular del Copinh y de Radio La Voz Lenca,
además hay un pequeño encuentro de radios comunitarias de Honduras. El
remate es la fiesta de inauguración el sábado por la tarde.
Compraron una vaca, que se comerán asada, la muy pobre.
Well, no carne asada here, but I'm planning to play a bit of music from La Voz Lenca anyway. (There's a retreat at the Kalyx Center, so I can't go far astray.)
Thanks so much to everyone who came out to Ben's house last night to see some scenes from the Lenca Radio Project and to eat some fine food. Thanks much also to Ben and Zelda for putting it together, and to all the folks who made yummy food and donated money to help cover the costs of the project, and to Jane for having a birthday to add to the merriment.
Aquí el sábado es la inauguración de Radio La Voz Lenca AM. Ahorita hay
una jornada previa de capacitación para corresponsales comunitarios del
proyecto de comunicación popular del Copinh y de Radio La Voz Lenca,
además hay un pequeño encuentro de radios comunitarias de Honduras. El
remate es la fiesta de inauguración el sábado por la tarde.
Compraron una vaca, que se comerán asada, la muy pobre.
Well, no carne asada here, but I'm planning to play a bit of music from La Voz Lenca anyway. (There's a retreat at the Kalyx Center, so I can't go far astray.)
Thanks so much to everyone who came out to Ben's house last night to see some scenes from the Lenca Radio Project and to eat some fine food. Thanks much also to Ben and Zelda for putting it together, and to all the folks who made yummy food and donated money to help cover the costs of the project, and to Jane for having a birthday to add to the merriment.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
AL AIRE!!!
Al aire!!! On the air again!!! After several days of battling with weather and resulting power line problems, La Voz Lenca is back on the air!!!
Time to come together, tomorrow night, Thursday, Sept. 27, at Ben's House, for an evening of pictures of the construction and music from La Voz Lenca. (See Ben's invitation a few postings back for details.)
Since I left there has been a substantial increase in the daily rain pattern. Instead of a couple hours of thunderstorms each evening, it's recently been raining from mid day on. Rain often causes electrical outages and brownouts occur when people turn on lights (during dreary weather as well as at night). As a result of all this, it's been very hard for Refugio to (1.) find a time when he can get a ride inside a vehicle [the bed of the pickup can get kind of wet in a hard rain.] (2.) find a time when that vehicle can navigate the muddy city streets and dirt country roads to Utopia. (3.) find electrical power with high enough voltage when he gets there.
It seems that a power surge may have blown out the limiting amplifier...a critical link in the audio chain between the receiver which picks up the FM station and the AM transmitters. For now, there's a temporary cludge working (bypassing that amplifier altogether), but this isn't a good solution for continued operation, so other options are being explored. It's so great to have a person like Refugio who understands electronics and also takes detailed photos, coupled with email, which can give us daily communication. Now problems can be solved from thousands of miles away in just a few days!
I look foward to seeing a lot of folks tomorrow night when we'll have pictures and sounds galore!
Peace, Bill
Time to come together, tomorrow night, Thursday, Sept. 27, at Ben's House, for an evening of pictures of the construction and music from La Voz Lenca. (See Ben's invitation a few postings back for details.)
Since I left there has been a substantial increase in the daily rain pattern. Instead of a couple hours of thunderstorms each evening, it's recently been raining from mid day on. Rain often causes electrical outages and brownouts occur when people turn on lights (during dreary weather as well as at night). As a result of all this, it's been very hard for Refugio to (1.) find a time when he can get a ride inside a vehicle [the bed of the pickup can get kind of wet in a hard rain.] (2.) find a time when that vehicle can navigate the muddy city streets and dirt country roads to Utopia. (3.) find electrical power with high enough voltage when he gets there.
It seems that a power surge may have blown out the limiting amplifier...a critical link in the audio chain between the receiver which picks up the FM station and the AM transmitters. For now, there's a temporary cludge working (bypassing that amplifier altogether), but this isn't a good solution for continued operation, so other options are being explored. It's so great to have a person like Refugio who understands electronics and also takes detailed photos, coupled with email, which can give us daily communication. Now problems can be solved from thousands of miles away in just a few days!
I look foward to seeing a lot of folks tomorrow night when we'll have pictures and sounds galore!
Peace, Bill
Friday, September 21, 2007
Some Good, Some Bad
Although I'm getting caught up on farm work (getting running water, fixing the weedmower, catching up with everything that slid during my absence) the Lenca Radio Project is still in motion. Last night I got some emails from Refugio in La Esperanza. It seems La Voz Lenca was off the air all day yesterday. After much analysis, complete with pictures of the meters and settings of the switches, it seems that a sort of minor piece of the system went dead. (Got unplugged?) We arrived at about 4 different ways to solve this problem, all using stuff on-hand in La Esperanza, so I'm hoping it's working now.
Preparations are under way for our return trip in late October - early November. The plan is to reconstruct the WGIL transmitter to give that full power, to build a better link from the studio to the transmitter via microwave, and to build a small studio in the main building at Utopia to broadcast events that happen there.
Just last night, we got news of a wonderful donation. Gray Haertig talked to Tom King, president of Kintronic Laboratories, a leading manufacturer of antenna tuning equipment. Kintronic is willing to donate the coils and provide other componants at cost to completely rebuild the Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) -- the thing that gave me so much hassle during the setup of La Voz Lenca. That has been the weak link in the whole antenna system, and soon it will be the finest quality components, and new to boot! Thank you so much to Gray, who's already done so much for this project, for offering to buy and ship the necessary parts, and to Tom King and Kintronics for their generousity.
Preparations are under way for our return trip in late October - early November. The plan is to reconstruct the WGIL transmitter to give that full power, to build a better link from the studio to the transmitter via microwave, and to build a small studio in the main building at Utopia to broadcast events that happen there.
Just last night, we got news of a wonderful donation. Gray Haertig talked to Tom King, president of Kintronic Laboratories, a leading manufacturer of antenna tuning equipment. Kintronic is willing to donate the coils and provide other componants at cost to completely rebuild the Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) -- the thing that gave me so much hassle during the setup of La Voz Lenca. That has been the weak link in the whole antenna system, and soon it will be the finest quality components, and new to boot! Thank you so much to Gray, who's already done so much for this project, for offering to buy and ship the necessary parts, and to Tom King and Kintronics for their generousity.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Getting Out and About
La Voz Lenca HRJZ is getting out! [all Honduran call signs start with "HR"] That is, it's still transmitting on days when there's power, and going fairly far. Here's a bit of a summary from Refugio, as of yesterday:
"Los tres reportes hasta ahora más lejanos de que se escucha fuerte y
claramente son de: [the three furthest places with strong reception]
Comayagua, Comayagua
Siguatepeque, Comayagua y
La Paz, La Paz
además hay reportes de que se escucha fuerte y claro en: [closer reports of strong reception]
Colomoncagua, Intibucá
Jesús de Otoro, Intibucá
en la región sur del departamento de Comayagua
Marcala, La Paz
toda la frontera de Intibucá con El Salvador
Yamaranguila y Guise, Intibucá
San Francisco de Opalaca
Hay dos reportes de zonas grises, es decir, zonas donde no se escucha
bien, pero que son más cercanas que lugares lejanos donde se escucha bien."
We'll try to post a map when more reports come in. [So far, all the furthest reports , Comayagua, La Paz, and Siguatepeque, are east of La Esperanza.]
I hope you all can make it to Ben's on Thurs., the 27th, and also we're having a huge bonfire and potluck at the Kalyx Center to celebrate the Fall Equinox on Saturday night, the 22nd, to which you're all invited.
"Los tres reportes hasta ahora más lejanos de que se escucha fuerte y
claramente son de: [the three furthest places with strong reception]
Comayagua, Comayagua
Siguatepeque, Comayagua y
La Paz, La Paz
además hay reportes de que se escucha fuerte y claro en: [closer reports of strong reception]
Colomoncagua, Intibucá
Jesús de Otoro, Intibucá
en la región sur del departamento de Comayagua
Marcala, La Paz
toda la frontera de Intibucá con El Salvador
Yamaranguila y Guise, Intibucá
San Francisco de Opalaca
Hay dos reportes de zonas grises, es decir, zonas donde no se escucha
bien, pero que son más cercanas que lugares lejanos donde se escucha bien."
We'll try to post a map when more reports come in. [So far, all the furthest reports , Comayagua, La Paz, and Siguatepeque, are east of La Esperanza.]
I hope you all can make it to Ben's on Thurs., the 27th, and also we're having a huge bonfire and potluck at the Kalyx Center to celebrate the Fall Equinox on Saturday night, the 22nd, to which you're all invited.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Post Launch PARTY
Bill is back home and the radio station is up and running. We are still waiting to hear reports on how well the signal is getting out, but initial reports seem pretty good.
I got to hear the many details of the difficult problems Bill had to overcome to get the transmitters running and correctly tuned to the antenna. It is quite an accomplishment.
To welcome Bill back and to get a chance to share stories, we are hosting a party on Thursday the 27th of September at 7:00PM at my house. All readers of this blog are invited.
Email me at ben@peartreestudio.net to receive directions and my address.
Hope to see you there.
Ben
I got to hear the many details of the difficult problems Bill had to overcome to get the transmitters running and correctly tuned to the antenna. It is quite an accomplishment.
To welcome Bill back and to get a chance to share stories, we are hosting a party on Thursday the 27th of September at 7:00PM at my house. All readers of this blog are invited.
Email me at ben@peartreestudio.net to receive directions and my address.
Hope to see you there.
Ben
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Go, Go, Go!
This afternoon everything came together. Tuning went just right, lightning hit the tower and did absolutely nothing to the transmitter. We went on with the full 1000 watts just in time for Ecos de Opalaca, Radio Lenca's great interview and education program, then stayed on till about 6:30 pm when we all took off for a wonderful meal and good-by celebration from the good folks at COPINH. It sounds good, and already we have reports of people picking us up in Comayagua, pretty far off, about 2 1/2 hrs. by car.
Thanks to everyone who pulled so hard to get this tower up and transmitting, especially to all the great COPINH volunteers who made super human efforts and sacrificed so much to make this happen.
Thanks to everyone who pulled so hard to get this tower up and transmitting, especially to all the great COPINH volunteers who made super human efforts and sacrificed so much to make this happen.
Set!
Today, we're putting La Voz Lenca on the AM airwaves! Some final tweaking and testing this morning, then we're on the air!
Yesterday, we did some initial program transmission -- about three hours -- to the sound of drumbeats and Punta music (The "national" music of Honduras). It was Children's Day in Honduras, a day for much festivity and celebration, especially in the schools. Salvador Zuniga got on the air and asked people to report on how far the station is getting out. It may take a week or so to find out since a lot of areas don't have phone service, so the reports will come in by foot!
I'm planning on returning in a month or so to build another studio and improve the link between the studio and transmitter, but for now there's a lot of preparation to do at the Kalyx Center to get ready for a big campout there this weekend.
Peace, Bill
Yesterday, we did some initial program transmission -- about three hours -- to the sound of drumbeats and Punta music (The "national" music of Honduras). It was Children's Day in Honduras, a day for much festivity and celebration, especially in the schools. Salvador Zuniga got on the air and asked people to report on how far the station is getting out. It may take a week or so to find out since a lot of areas don't have phone service, so the reports will come in by foot!
I'm planning on returning in a month or so to build another studio and improve the link between the studio and transmitter, but for now there's a lot of preparation to do at the Kalyx Center to get ready for a big campout there this weekend.
Peace, Bill
Monday, September 10, 2007
Ready!
Today is the day! Last night I found and fixed a problem that has been hindering the tuning of the transmitter, so I'm putting it on the air today or tomorrow morning! I know it's been something short of instant gratification, but it's happening now!
It's great to be here in this land of corn twice as tall as I am, dirt streets with speed bumps and a whole different way of looking at the world, but it'll be excellent to be back with all of you too! Thanks to all you wonderful people who helped out in so many ways!
Peace, Bill
It's great to be here in this land of corn twice as tall as I am, dirt streets with speed bumps and a whole different way of looking at the world, but it'll be excellent to be back with all of you too! Thanks to all you wonderful people who helped out in so many ways!
Peace, Bill
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Tune Up
Things are moving quickly. Gray Haertig modeled our tower on his computer, did some calculations, added his experienced insight, and wahlah! (sp?) came up with component values for the ATU that made a huge difference in the tuning. Much thanks again to Gray and to all the other engineers who contributed to the discussion via listserves.
Here's a cool picture of an ice-halo around the sun which is perched on top of the tower. Refugio took it about mid day, the day hurricane Felix passed over. Also, there's a not-so-beautiful shot of the lightning choke which COPINH volunteers made out of scrounged stuff a couple weeks ago. It's that silvery coil wound on a piece of white plastic drainpipe, and all of this is on the bottom of the antenna tuning cabinet.
Peace, Bill
Here's a cool picture of an ice-halo around the sun which is perched on top of the tower. Refugio took it about mid day, the day hurricane Felix passed over. Also, there's a not-so-beautiful shot of the lightning choke which COPINH volunteers made out of scrounged stuff a couple weeks ago. It's that silvery coil wound on a piece of white plastic drainpipe, and all of this is on the bottom of the antenna tuning cabinet.
Peace, Bill
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
In the Eye of Felix and Some Tentative Tones
Just a little note to let you all know that we're safe here. So far Felix has only dumped a bit of rain, threatened to blow the tin roof off of the transmitter shed, and made the usual light-jacket evening fairly cold, well really only probably in the mid 50's. It hasn't been so nice for the folks on the east coast though. First reports are just coming in to HRN, the national radio system. A lot of people live in just basic wood houses on stilts in the swampy rain forest there -- not a nice place to be in a category 5 hurricane. Tegucigalpa is bracing for a lot of rain and the mayor has evacuated the central market and steep regions of cobbled-together housing that washed away before in Hurricane Mitch. Tegus is in a narrow valley between mountains with kind of unstable slopes. The eye of the hurricane is expected to pass right over us about mid day tomorrow, but by then they're thinking it may be downgraded to a tropical storm.
Today, as Felix's winds were blowing in, I ran the first actual transmission on HRJZ, The Voice Lenca, 1580 kHz AM. Well, actually it was just a test tone, followed by a pretty distorted re-broadcast of the FM signal. The problem was that there was interference in the FM receiver from the AM transmitter being so close -- sort of a Catch 22 that can be solved by a better antenna for the FM receiver or by installing the microwave link that is the eventual design anyway. And, it's still running at just 250 watts out of the licensed 1000 watts. Between power outages and rain that have interfered with the main goal of getting the transmitters up and running at full power, I've been able to catch up on the lower priority jobs like designing the antennas for the microwave link, which need to be done before leaving.
I've got some problems with the tuning on these transmitters and the ATU as well. I'll put a technical discussion of that in the comments for this posting, so as not to clutter up the blog with technotalk.
That's it for now. I hope you all doing OK in the heavy heat that shouldn't be happening in Sept. in Illinois.
La Lucha Sigue! Bill
Today, as Felix's winds were blowing in, I ran the first actual transmission on HRJZ, The Voice Lenca, 1580 kHz AM. Well, actually it was just a test tone, followed by a pretty distorted re-broadcast of the FM signal. The problem was that there was interference in the FM receiver from the AM transmitter being so close -- sort of a Catch 22 that can be solved by a better antenna for the FM receiver or by installing the microwave link that is the eventual design anyway. And, it's still running at just 250 watts out of the licensed 1000 watts. Between power outages and rain that have interfered with the main goal of getting the transmitters up and running at full power, I've been able to catch up on the lower priority jobs like designing the antennas for the microwave link, which need to be done before leaving.
I've got some problems with the tuning on these transmitters and the ATU as well. I'll put a technical discussion of that in the comments for this posting, so as not to clutter up the blog with technotalk.
That's it for now. I hope you all doing OK in the heavy heat that shouldn't be happening in Sept. in Illinois.
La Lucha Sigue! Bill
Monday, September 03, 2007
Out of date update.
I's been a long time since I've posted anything....combination of power failures, other obligations in the evenings, and sometimes not knowing what to say. The work is going slowly, because of difficulties in finding that "sweet spot" of resonance between the transmitters, the feedline to the antenna, and then matching that to the antenna itself. I've put out a second call to engineers for help on this, and I hope it'll be resolved really soon.
Refugio, Rolando and I have been hanging out after work for awhile the last two nights to watch for static discharge on the tower with the regular evening thunderstorms. So far we haven't seen any lightning strikes, but there's a lot of crackling and snapping as a storm approaches. I've done everything I can think of to drain those charges off, and so far we haven't seen any problems ith the transmitters.
Hurricane Felix is blowing in along the northern coast. The skies have been cloudy all day, home on the range. We hear that the tropical rain forest where the Misquito Indians live on the east end of Honduras, called Misquitia, got hit pretty hard, but news travels pretty slow here. We're already getting some pretty hard rains, though being way inland and at high altitude, we aren't likely to see much else.
No word yet on exactly when we'll be on the air, or when I'll be leaving for home. Thanks far all your communications!
Refugio, Rolando and I have been hanging out after work for awhile the last two nights to watch for static discharge on the tower with the regular evening thunderstorms. So far we haven't seen any lightning strikes, but there's a lot of crackling and snapping as a storm approaches. I've done everything I can think of to drain those charges off, and so far we haven't seen any problems ith the transmitters.
Hurricane Felix is blowing in along the northern coast. The skies have been cloudy all day, home on the range. We hear that the tropical rain forest where the Misquito Indians live on the east end of Honduras, called Misquitia, got hit pretty hard, but news travels pretty slow here. We're already getting some pretty hard rains, though being way inland and at high altitude, we aren't likely to see much else.
No word yet on exactly when we'll be on the air, or when I'll be leaving for home. Thanks far all your communications!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Base designs
AM radio towers are a bit different than those for most other services. The whole tower is electrically charged with the broadcast signal. At the tower's base is a tuning box (ATU) which connects the buried feedline to the antenna. There is also a special coil, called a "choke" which separates the AM tranmitted signal from the ordinary 120 volt line current for the tower light. Here's a picture of some COPINH volunteers putting up the ATU a few days ago --
Here's a picture of the tower base, complete with the hitch-ball lightning arrestors designed by Ben.
All of that delicate and dangereous equipment at the base of the tower needs protection, and in turn, people and animals need a deterrent to keep them from touching the tower. Here's a few pictures of the fence COPINH folks built today to do that. It's made of "lomo", which is Spanish for the outside slabs with the bark on, which are the first things cut off to allow a sawmill to cut straight lumber --
Here's a picture of the tower base, complete with the hitch-ball lightning arrestors designed by Ben.
All of that delicate and dangereous equipment at the base of the tower needs protection, and in turn, people and animals need a deterrent to keep them from touching the tower. Here's a few pictures of the fence COPINH folks built today to do that. It's made of "lomo", which is Spanish for the outside slabs with the bark on, which are the first things cut off to allow a sawmill to cut straight lumber --
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Full Power and Friends
The WGIL transmitter is up for transmitting at full power! I'd been trying to get either one of the the transmitters to tune up to full power, without great success. I wrote to Gray Haertig in Portland to see if he had any insights, and he put my query up on a couple listserves. Thank you Gray, and to a bunch of other engineers who responded for a cachimbasa (Lenca word for "whole hunch") of new approaches. Through a combination of those, a new discovery, and a new approach to tuning, the thing is puttin' out. I'm so relieved...actually thinking about going home soon, but first I have to tune the feedline to the antenna, put together a studio-transmitter link, check out our homemade tower light choke, and some other small stuff.
Last weekend we had a huge number of visitors at Utopia -- some good friends and lots of young folks attending a jornada -- a regional 2 day meeting -- just what the place was designed for! Yesterday, by contrast, the watchman Rolando, Timo's dog Chikin and I were the only ones there, since everyone else had left for the movilizacion in Siguatepeque. Today was much the same, except that everyone was demonstrating in La Esperanza. The main focus of this is a proposed law allowing water resources to be privetized. This is a huge deal in developing countries because people don't have the money to pay for water. Either they need to divert resources from other needs, or they must do without -- both unacceptable alternatives. People here are under no delusions about the source of these threats to their lives.
Tonight we said good-by to Nancy Vasquez who's been working here in cooperation with COMPPA. She's leaving on an early bus to go back home to Guatemala City. She has been a great facilitator, with our customs both entering Guatemala and with our complex negotiations getting into Honduras. She did a lot of documentation, made sure workers had food, covered local events for indy media, and generally tying everything together. She's a great worker and fun to be with. Thanks so much for making this project go smoother!
Peace, Bill
Last weekend we had a huge number of visitors at Utopia -- some good friends and lots of young folks attending a jornada -- a regional 2 day meeting -- just what the place was designed for! Yesterday, by contrast, the watchman Rolando, Timo's dog Chikin and I were the only ones there, since everyone else had left for the movilizacion in Siguatepeque. Today was much the same, except that everyone was demonstrating in La Esperanza. The main focus of this is a proposed law allowing water resources to be privetized. This is a huge deal in developing countries because people don't have the money to pay for water. Either they need to divert resources from other needs, or they must do without -- both unacceptable alternatives. People here are under no delusions about the source of these threats to their lives.
Tonight we said good-by to Nancy Vasquez who's been working here in cooperation with COMPPA. She's leaving on an early bus to go back home to Guatemala City. She has been a great facilitator, with our customs both entering Guatemala and with our complex negotiations getting into Honduras. She did a lot of documentation, made sure workers had food, covered local events for indy media, and generally tying everything together. She's a great worker and fun to be with. Thanks so much for making this project go smoother!
Peace, Bill
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Looking Up
Things are looking better. That plan of combining the best parts of the 2 transmitter tuning assemblies worked, so now the WGIL transmitter is tuneable. In the process, I think I figured a way to fix the other mechanism too, so both transmitters should respond soon. I've been making some last minute connections to the tower too. Most people are headed off in the middle of the night for a big national mobilization for clean, un-privatized water tomorrow in Siguatepeque tomorrow and the day after, but I'm going to stay back to try to get things up and running.
Looking up too, at the tower, with this new picture from Nancy Vasquez, taken back on the night of completion, with the lingering Hurricane Dean sky, with the Utopia building and the yellow 'cool bus in the background ---
Looking up too, at the tower, with this new picture from Nancy Vasquez, taken back on the night of completion, with the lingering Hurricane Dean sky, with the Utopia building and the yellow 'cool bus in the background ---
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Looking Better
Preparations for the big sign-on day continue. The COPINH volunteers focussed on protecting the tower guy wires -- very important because a truck hitting the guy wire pier could easily bring down the tower. Leonel says he's seen a tower destroyed by a horse damaging a guy wire anchor. It's hard to imagine how, but he wasn't joking. Here's a couple photos I took:
Don Chico spent a lot of time yesterday looking for the replacement belts needed for the transmitters, without success. Looking over the mechanisms for the two transmitters, it seems it will be possible to take the best parts of both, and unite them into one working mechanism to get the WGIL transmitter running once again. Then all that needs to be done is to tune up the transmitter/feedline/tower system, install the tower lighting choke, plug an FM receiver into the AM transmitter to rebroadcast the FM signal, and we're on the air! I have a plan to rebuild the mechanism for the WDWS transmitter without those belts, so that might get done fairly soon as well. Big thanks to Ben for his offer of support on this -- It may still be needed!
peace, Bill
Don Chico spent a lot of time yesterday looking for the replacement belts needed for the transmitters, without success. Looking over the mechanisms for the two transmitters, it seems it will be possible to take the best parts of both, and unite them into one working mechanism to get the WGIL transmitter running once again. Then all that needs to be done is to tune up the transmitter/feedline/tower system, install the tower lighting choke, plug an FM receiver into the AM transmitter to rebroadcast the FM signal, and we're on the air! I have a plan to rebuild the mechanism for the WDWS transmitter without those belts, so that might get done fairly soon as well. Big thanks to Ben for his offer of support on this -- It may still be needed!
peace, Bill
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Of Red Lights Aloft and New Problems
Hi Folks,
Well, the tower light works. A pretty red object in the sky next to the moon earlier this evening. Upon returning to the COPINH office here in La Esperanza, I wasn't able to see it. This is important, because we're planning to use a sub-microwave link from the studio here in the office to the transmitter site at Utopia. We've got a 60 foot tower for the FM station here at COPINH. Probably from up there, it will be possible to make the shot. Amongst other things, folks from COPINH wound a rf choke (of lampcord wound around a piece of 4 inch PVC drainpipe), dug a 25 meter ditch to run power for the tower light, and planted the ATU (antenna tuning box) at the tower base.
I just discovered a mechanical difficulty in both transmitters, very similar to a problem I once cured in another Harris transmitter -- The Voice of Nicaragua, Shortwave -- in 1989. This has to do with belts, much like a timing belt in a modern car that has teeth on the inside, though these are alot narrower and shorter. The problem is that, with age the teeth have sheared off, disconnecting the two gears that need to be turned together exactly, just like the valve timing in a car. This makes it nearly impossible to tune up the transmitters. So tomorrow I'm going to try to extract one of the belts, then look for an automotive belt that can be cut down to fit. If I do find that, it will be the best coincidence imaginable, but the alternative of waiting 3 or 4 weeks and paying a small fortune to get raplacemets from the states, is not an option.
I played some soccer tonight with Don Chico and Ronaldo, the wat-chee-mahn (Espanglish for watchman.) Even though it was a heavy day of work, the exercise and break from work were good to have.
Thanks for your blog comments and emails.
Peace, Bill
Well, the tower light works. A pretty red object in the sky next to the moon earlier this evening. Upon returning to the COPINH office here in La Esperanza, I wasn't able to see it. This is important, because we're planning to use a sub-microwave link from the studio here in the office to the transmitter site at Utopia. We've got a 60 foot tower for the FM station here at COPINH. Probably from up there, it will be possible to make the shot. Amongst other things, folks from COPINH wound a rf choke (of lampcord wound around a piece of 4 inch PVC drainpipe), dug a 25 meter ditch to run power for the tower light, and planted the ATU (antenna tuning box) at the tower base.
I just discovered a mechanical difficulty in both transmitters, very similar to a problem I once cured in another Harris transmitter -- The Voice of Nicaragua, Shortwave -- in 1989. This has to do with belts, much like a timing belt in a modern car that has teeth on the inside, though these are alot narrower and shorter. The problem is that, with age the teeth have sheared off, disconnecting the two gears that need to be turned together exactly, just like the valve timing in a car. This makes it nearly impossible to tune up the transmitters. So tomorrow I'm going to try to extract one of the belts, then look for an automotive belt that can be cut down to fit. If I do find that, it will be the best coincidence imaginable, but the alternative of waiting 3 or 4 weeks and paying a small fortune to get raplacemets from the states, is not an option.
I played some soccer tonight with Don Chico and Ronaldo, the wat-chee-mahn (Espanglish for watchman.) Even though it was a heavy day of work, the exercise and break from work were good to have.
Thanks for your blog comments and emails.
Peace, Bill
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The Whole Thing!!
Late this afternoon, Leonel and crew finished the tower, topping it off with a red light (Which we haven't connected yet).
We're happy to present you with these fine photos, taken by Compañera Nancy Vasquez:
We're happy to present you with these fine photos, taken by Compañera Nancy Vasquez:
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Going Up!
Leonel, the torrero, arrived yesterday afternoon, with a trusty little Toyota pickup loaded with three 20 foot long tower sections, a big reel of cable for the guy wires, a gin pole, some climbing gear, and two co-workers.
This morning at 7:00 a.m., the tower erection began, with lots of helpers from COPINH. In spite of a couple heavy rains, and a lot of drizzle caused by Hurricane Dean, the tower was up to 80 feet by day's end -- over halfway there!
Here's some pictures I took:
The first 20 feet put up with temporary guy wires.
Climbing high to 80 feet!
Another big hurdle -- Last night, working late in the transmitter shack, I sent out the first program -- a test tone -- a few feet to a nearby radio. It sounds pretty good! A lot of tuning is still needed, and connection work to the tower when that's done, but it's holding together OK! I think it might actually fly! Here's a look at the solid little transmitter building, with a Hurricane enhanced view of the sky over La Esperanza and the Utopia building to the right. What a beautiful place to work!
The days here are cool, but hot in the sun, with kind of cold nights (about 50 degrees). Heading home in the evenings about dusk, it's good to have.a jacket. I've been listening to La Voz Lenca on their small FM station. Really good programming, on environmental stuff especially, with great music -- Mercedes Sosa, Manu Chao, Los Torogoces de Morazan, Carlos Mejia Godoy and a lot more!
This morning at 7:00 a.m., the tower erection began, with lots of helpers from COPINH. In spite of a couple heavy rains, and a lot of drizzle caused by Hurricane Dean, the tower was up to 80 feet by day's end -- over halfway there!
Here's some pictures I took:
The first 20 feet put up with temporary guy wires.
Climbing high to 80 feet!
Another big hurdle -- Last night, working late in the transmitter shack, I sent out the first program -- a test tone -- a few feet to a nearby radio. It sounds pretty good! A lot of tuning is still needed, and connection work to the tower when that's done, but it's holding together OK! I think it might actually fly! Here's a look at the solid little transmitter building, with a Hurricane enhanced view of the sky over La Esperanza and the Utopia building to the right. What a beautiful place to work!
The days here are cool, but hot in the sun, with kind of cold nights (about 50 degrees). Heading home in the evenings about dusk, it's good to have.a jacket. I've been listening to La Voz Lenca on their small FM station. Really good programming, on environmental stuff especially, with great music -- Mercedes Sosa, Manu Chao, Los Torogoces de Morazan, Carlos Mejia Godoy and a lot more!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Lights and stuff
Hay luz! The electricity is on at Utopia!! The transmitter which was donated by WGIL in Galesburg shows signs of life! It's putting out the full 1,000 watts, but I have yet to test the audio aspects. It's still kinda dark in the transmitter building since the lights are yet to be installed. The transmitter from WDWS in Champaign isn't putting out power. Probably something got disconnected in all the bumping and constant vibration of the bus.
Lots of volunteers have been painting the tower and getting the groundwork done for erecting the tower. Leonel, the "torrero" (tower erector) is scheduled to arrive tomorrow mid day. He'll be bringing the remaining supplies necessary to put up our section (the lower 60 feet), and then he'll build the remaining 90 feet on top of that. I'm kind of apprehensive about this -- we don't have many supplies -- but I think we can pull it off. We're heading out at 6:00 a.m. = Hora de Honduras of 8:00 a.m., to get an early start assembling the tower. This has all been pushed up a day earlier in the schedule to get it done before possible heavy weather if Hurricane Dean heads south toward Honduras.
This afternoon, we had a great time shoveling dirt back over the new radial wire connections at the base of the tower. Salvador, Refugio and Soltero's constant good humor keeps everyone feeling good about the work. Maybe too, it was the fine lunch of salad and fruit we all had -- a great change from the usual tortillas, beans and cheese.
More soon.
Peace, Bill
Lots of volunteers have been painting the tower and getting the groundwork done for erecting the tower. Leonel, the "torrero" (tower erector) is scheduled to arrive tomorrow mid day. He'll be bringing the remaining supplies necessary to put up our section (the lower 60 feet), and then he'll build the remaining 90 feet on top of that. I'm kind of apprehensive about this -- we don't have many supplies -- but I think we can pull it off. We're heading out at 6:00 a.m. = Hora de Honduras of 8:00 a.m., to get an early start assembling the tower. This has all been pushed up a day earlier in the schedule to get it done before possible heavy weather if Hurricane Dean heads south toward Honduras.
This afternoon, we had a great time shoveling dirt back over the new radial wire connections at the base of the tower. Salvador, Refugio and Soltero's constant good humor keeps everyone feeling good about the work. Maybe too, it was the fine lunch of salad and fruit we all had -- a great change from the usual tortillas, beans and cheese.
More soon.
Peace, Bill
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Building La Voz Lenca
Hi friends!!
Well, things are finally moving along quickly. The day after we arrived, we dug a trench from the transmitter building to the tower to bury the cable that brings the signal from the transmitter to the tower. Then we buried the cable and a flat copper strap which will help make a stronger signal, and reduce the likelihood of lightning damage. We brazed all of the 90 radial wires onto that copper strap too. This ties together most of the different sites that the wonderfiul folks of COPINH have prepared as they patiently awaited our arrival. The last shovelfulls of dirt were thrown on to bury our work just before the usual afternoon rainy-season thunderstorm hit.
Yesterday we started painting the tower sections, in preparation for erecting them on Tuesday, and we are told, electricity was turned on late last night. The workdays here end in a wild game of soccer. That soccer ball that Adrienne and Jane scrounged may be one of the most important things we brought, because it helps people relate in a different way.
This morning, we said goodby to JJ, with much thanks for his great work in capturing the soul of this project thus far. It's too bad that he couldn't have been here for the tower erection and sign-on, and that he had to experience all the intriguing intricacies of Central American buracracy instead, but, looking back, his smiling face behind the camera lens, popping up when you least expected it, was a remider that there was a bigger world out there, with a goal worth all the hassle.
We're heading off to Utopia soon, so I need to sign off for now. I'll put up some pictures soon.
Peace, Bill
Well, things are finally moving along quickly. The day after we arrived, we dug a trench from the transmitter building to the tower to bury the cable that brings the signal from the transmitter to the tower. Then we buried the cable and a flat copper strap which will help make a stronger signal, and reduce the likelihood of lightning damage. We brazed all of the 90 radial wires onto that copper strap too. This ties together most of the different sites that the wonderfiul folks of COPINH have prepared as they patiently awaited our arrival. The last shovelfulls of dirt were thrown on to bury our work just before the usual afternoon rainy-season thunderstorm hit.
Yesterday we started painting the tower sections, in preparation for erecting them on Tuesday, and we are told, electricity was turned on late last night. The workdays here end in a wild game of soccer. That soccer ball that Adrienne and Jane scrounged may be one of the most important things we brought, because it helps people relate in a different way.
This morning, we said goodby to JJ, with much thanks for his great work in capturing the soul of this project thus far. It's too bad that he couldn't have been here for the tower erection and sign-on, and that he had to experience all the intriguing intricacies of Central American buracracy instead, but, looking back, his smiling face behind the camera lens, popping up when you least expected it, was a remider that there was a bigger world out there, with a goal worth all the hassle.
We're heading off to Utopia soon, so I need to sign off for now. I'll put up some pictures soon.
Peace, Bill
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Yay!!
We made it!!!
After almost three weeks of traveling and waiting, we rolled into La Esperanza yesterday morning, after squeeeeeezing and straining our way over the ancient dirt road from San Miguelito, Honduras, to La Esperanza. A very steep ascent, that, with the overloaded engine needing a shower of water about every five or ten minutes. about 2/3 of the way up, we came to a very, very steep grade, with a sharp left turn at the top. I gunned the engine, with the red overheating light screaming at me to stop, but it just wouldn't go. We backed down at an angle, let the engine and transmission cool, then zig-zagged crazily up the slope. A huge bump at the top and we were over! I really had thought we might have to back all those miles down and drive back around the long, long way to La Esperanza. What a relief! After not too long, we were heading down into La Esperanza!
But, not so fast! In the center of the city, I had to make sharp right turn in very narrow streets. I watched all the roofs and signs and cars, but midway through the turn -- BANG hisssss -- I had struck a pipe sticking out by the curb and blown out one of the dual back tires. We decided to limp along on the other tire and look for a llantera. Meanwhile, having been alerted by text message, folks at COPINH were heading out to the transmitter site at Utopia to greet us, but we weren't there! About an hour later, we rolled up to the Utopia turn, but not so fast! --
We got stuck in the mud trying to make the turn onto the Utopia road! People came running, and with many rocks in the rut, and many pushers, we passed that hurdle. Almost at the end, but not so fast! The turn into the Utopia yard, amidst bumpy excavations for the tower radials (which extend right across the road), is just too sharp. After pulling out a fence post and dumping rocks around again, the folks of COPINH widen the driveway, and with a final push out of the mud, we roll to a stop in the yard, DONE.
After a few minutes of hugs and smiles of reunion with our friends, Berta, Juan, Salvador, Refugio, and many others, the unloading and inventorying begins. In about an hour, the bus breathes a sigh as the last of the small stuff is unloaded, then cautious work of manouvering the tower sections out. The two 600 lb. transmitters remain. With many people helping out, we hand-carry each transmitter over the 100 feet of rough ground to the beautiful brick transmitter building. Big cheers as the transmitters are set on their raised pad! Everything fits perfectly!! Time for real Honduran food, (beans, rice, some meat, avocado, salty cheese, and home-made tortillas), and a SHOWER!! (such a relief after 5 days of camping in the bus).
It feels so wonderful to be here in the cool, crisp mountain air, with so many wonderful and dedicated friends. JJ has to return to Philly soon to real work. We're very thankful to him for his thousands of wonderful pictures. Very few folks can capture the character and characters of an event as well as he can!
Big thank you's, too, to all you wonderful friends who made it possible to get here.
We won't know how the transmitters made it through the rough ride and constant vibration of the 3500 mile journey, because the electricity isn't quite on yet at Utopia, but they look OK. Stay tuned, the work has only just begun!! We'll be erecting the first part of the tower, with Refugio of COMPPA taking over as documentarian in a few days, then the torrero Leonel takes over to erect the top, probably on Tuesday. There's a big regional jornada planned for the end of next week, during which we're hoping to sign on!! It's a bit of a time crunch, but we have a lot of help, and everyone wants this to happen as soon as possible.
Below's an animated recap of the trip up to our arrival-
And here are the unedited galleries on JJ's archive site:
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070814a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070813a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070812a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070811a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070810a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070809a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070808a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070807a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070806a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070805a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070804a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070803a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070802a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070801a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070731a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070730a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070729a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070728a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070727a_radiopcp
Snow, out of order
I wrote this a couple days ago, but this has been the fist chance to upload it ----
Snow in Honduras!!
Today, we're waiting at the Honduran border in El Florido for permission to circulate with the bus. All the paperwork for the equipment is done. We're free to take that to La Esperanza. We're just camping here, sitting on the termite eaten porch of the Honduran customs building waiting for one little document. Now that the weekend has passed, it seems like things are in motion to get the bus through.
Meanwhile, a tank truck of liquified carbon dioxide pulls up, and vents off a plume of gas (because of altitude?). After about 15 minutes, there's dry ice building up inside the vent pipe, pieces start breaking off, and, it's snowing! Well, no accumulation, in fact it's kind of hard to see the flakes amid the gas plume, but it's novel.
Now that Adrienne and Jane are back in Urbana, I can say how great it was to have them along....our erstwhile drivers So much great energy and understanding in the midst of really pretty trying siituations. Adrienne's painstaking mountain ascent, and hair-raising descent, after we all missed seeing a turn, and headed up the mountains toward Tuxla Gutierrez, rather than staying on the flat southern route through Mexico. If they can drive this bus under these conditions, they're experts! We were sad to see them go, but very much feel their need to get back.
Don Soltero and Don Chico, from the Lenca organization COPINH, met us when we first crossed into Honduras in Aguas Calientes. They are a great source of support, and their good humor keeps us happy, in spite of feeling so anxious to get on with the work.
Snow in Honduras!!
Today, we're waiting at the Honduran border in El Florido for permission to circulate with the bus. All the paperwork for the equipment is done. We're free to take that to La Esperanza. We're just camping here, sitting on the termite eaten porch of the Honduran customs building waiting for one little document. Now that the weekend has passed, it seems like things are in motion to get the bus through.
Meanwhile, a tank truck of liquified carbon dioxide pulls up, and vents off a plume of gas (because of altitude?). After about 15 minutes, there's dry ice building up inside the vent pipe, pieces start breaking off, and, it's snowing! Well, no accumulation, in fact it's kind of hard to see the flakes amid the gas plume, but it's novel.
Now that Adrienne and Jane are back in Urbana, I can say how great it was to have them along....our erstwhile drivers So much great energy and understanding in the midst of really pretty trying siituations. Adrienne's painstaking mountain ascent, and hair-raising descent, after we all missed seeing a turn, and headed up the mountains toward Tuxla Gutierrez, rather than staying on the flat southern route through Mexico. If they can drive this bus under these conditions, they're experts! We were sad to see them go, but very much feel their need to get back.
Don Soltero and Don Chico, from the Lenca organization COPINH, met us when we first crossed into Honduras in Aguas Calientes. They are a great source of support, and their good humor keeps us happy, in spite of feeling so anxious to get on with the work.
They Made It
I got a brief report from JJ that they are in La Esperanza and the equipment was unloaded from the bus yesterday. No other word yet, but this is a great achievment for Bill and everyone else involved in the project
Saturday, August 11, 2007
HONDURAS!!
Well, we´re in Honduras at last, sort of. After a mad day´s driving across Guatemala, we roared into the Guate. exit side of Aguas Calientes about 11 p.m. -- the wrong place!! Well, we knew it was. In fact, I spens a lot of time explaining that we had to leave at El Florido, by the Copan Ruins, because all of our carefully preassembled paperwork was addressed to the administrator there. But The Guatemalan side of El Florido doesn´t have computers yet, so if we left there, we´d still technically be in Guate. with all our stuff. So, we had to follow the ruta fiscal, and leave at Aguas Calientes, which we did this morning. Problem was that we couldn´t enter Honduras though. So, trapped in no-country´s land, we went back and forth between the borders, with a whole lot of help from our Guatemalan custodio, Walter, a Guatemalan capitalista Nancy (She lives in the capital, but we are taking her to La Esperanza), from Luz of COMPPA, by cel phone, and from 2 compañeros from COPINH. You don´t want to hear all of the horrible complexities. Suffice to say that we´re steaming ahead to El Florido with yet another custodio (policeman who makes sure you don´t offload anything before customs clears it.)
The bus is really slow going up mountains...about 4 m.p.h., with lots of stops for boiling over, but we´re sooooo happy to be here and only a couple days from La Esperanza. Gotta go.
Peace, bill
The bus is really slow going up mountains...about 4 m.p.h., with lots of stops for boiling over, but we´re sooooo happy to be here and only a couple days from La Esperanza. Gotta go.
Peace, bill
Friday, August 10, 2007
Rolling through Guatemala
Our intrepid Radio Men and Women were held up at the Guatemalan border due to a trucker's strike. After 19 hours they were able to get through.
They are now driving through the country with a custodio. They hope to reach Honduras tonight.
They are now driving through the country with a custodio. They hope to reach Honduras tonight.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Report from the Guatemalan Frontier
I received a text message from JJ. They had some trouble with the starter motor which took most of the day to rectify. They are now on the Guatemalan border and plan to cross tomorrow.
Hopefully they wont have too much trouble with customs there. Once they get to the Honduran border it should be pretty smooth sailing. The group we are working with there, COPINH, managed to get the import papers signed by the Honduran Finance Minister himself.
Hopefully they wont have too much trouble with customs there. Once they get to the Honduran border it should be pretty smooth sailing. The group we are working with there, COPINH, managed to get the import papers signed by the Honduran Finance Minister himself.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
We´re still moving!
Yes, still moving on. It´s noon on Tues., and we just arrived in Arriaga, Chiapas, on Mexico´s south coast, after sleeping at a Pemex truck stop high in the mountains on hwy 185. We´ll continue on down the coast on hwy 200, and cross into Guatemala tonight or tomorrow, with luck.
JJ hasn´t had a chance to edit through all the photos on the fly, but if you want to dig through lots of photos, below are links to the unedited galleries so far:
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070727a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070728a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070729a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070730a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070731a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070801a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070802a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070803a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070804a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070805a_radiopcp
Peace, Bill
JJ hasn´t had a chance to edit through all the photos on the fly, but if you want to dig through lots of photos, below are links to the unedited galleries so far:
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070727a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070728a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070729a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070730a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/07/20070731a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070801a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070802a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070803a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070804a_radiopcp
http://jjarchive.net/2007/08/20070805a_radiopcp
Peace, Bill
Monday, August 06, 2007
From The Bottom of the Gulf
Hi Folks!
Yay, it´s happening!!!
We just rounded the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Yesterday, we did a lot of driving along the western shore of the Gulf, with a nice break for swimming about 75 miles north of Veracruz. Last night we enjoyed the night life in Veracruz proper, dancing, listening to the Guatemala style marimba music in the central square, slurping up paletas de ronpopo con pasas. This morning, with rain pouring down, we took off around the southern side of the Gulf. Now we´re near the same latitude as Honduras so the fruits and other crops are very similar to what we´re used to there....sugar cane, guava, banana, zapote, vanilla, etc. We´re hoping to cross into Guatemala tomorrow at Tecun Uman, taking the southern route to Escuintla, then north to Guatemala City, where Jane and Adrienne will catch a plane back to Urbana, then we´ll head to the border crossing in Honduras at La Florida, near the Copan Ruins.
Thanks for your support and communication. The photo section of the last blog entry will be fixed next time we get a good place to upload.
Peace, Bill
Yay, it´s happening!!!
We just rounded the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Yesterday, we did a lot of driving along the western shore of the Gulf, with a nice break for swimming about 75 miles north of Veracruz. Last night we enjoyed the night life in Veracruz proper, dancing, listening to the Guatemala style marimba music in the central square, slurping up paletas de ronpopo con pasas. This morning, with rain pouring down, we took off around the southern side of the Gulf. Now we´re near the same latitude as Honduras so the fruits and other crops are very similar to what we´re used to there....sugar cane, guava, banana, zapote, vanilla, etc. We´re hoping to cross into Guatemala tomorrow at Tecun Uman, taking the southern route to Escuintla, then north to Guatemala City, where Jane and Adrienne will catch a plane back to Urbana, then we´ll head to the border crossing in Honduras at La Florida, near the Copan Ruins.
Thanks for your support and communication. The photo section of the last blog entry will be fixed next time we get a good place to upload.
Peace, Bill
Saturday, August 04, 2007
South of the Border
I just received word from JJ that the bus has crossed the border and is now driving south through Mexico. It was a very big effort to make this happen.
JJ had time to edit the photos so far into a documentry style slide show.
Take a look at:
JJ had time to edit the photos so far into a documentry style slide show.
Take a look at:
Sunday, July 29, 2007
We're Not There, But We're Here
Hi All,
We're here at the border, in beautiful (and warm), Pharr/McAllen, TX, waiting to cross into Mexico. (It's really complex with a big bus.) We're hoping for tomorrow. If not, then we'll probably have to wait till Thursday.
In Austin, we picked up one vajero, JJ Tiziou, a wonderful photographer from Philly, who loves to document wild and far-flung expeditions. His photos will be appearing here soon, but you can check out some of the other stuff he's done by following the link to his website. He's coming down to photograph the journey and, with luck, the birth of La Voz Lenca.
Unfortunately, Ben Galewsky had to get back to C-U before even getting into Mexico. We're very thankful to him for the huge amount of work he did in preparing for this trip, as well as doing a lot of the driving on the way down.
Peace, Bill, with Jane, Adrienne and JJ
We're here at the border, in beautiful (and warm), Pharr/McAllen, TX, waiting to cross into Mexico. (It's really complex with a big bus.) We're hoping for tomorrow. If not, then we'll probably have to wait till Thursday.
In Austin, we picked up one vajero, JJ Tiziou, a wonderful photographer from Philly, who loves to document wild and far-flung expeditions. His photos will be appearing here soon, but you can check out some of the other stuff he's done by following the link to his website. He's coming down to photograph the journey and, with luck, the birth of La Voz Lenca.
Unfortunately, Ben Galewsky had to get back to C-U before even getting into Mexico. We're very thankful to him for the huge amount of work he did in preparing for this trip, as well as doing a lot of the driving on the way down.
Peace, Bill, with Jane, Adrienne and JJ
Friday, July 27, 2007
From the road
We drove off from the farm at 1 am Thursday morning. Adrienne, Jane (the bus driving Zen master) and I took turns keeping the bus in continuous motion. We managed to create some comfortable, if unique sleeping quarters for everyone so off duty drivers could sleep while we carry on.
The front tire started to show some alarming wear and we needed to get them replaced outside of Little Rock. We told the manager of the tire shop our story and he managed to find some high quality used ones and we were back on the road.
We picked up our photographer at the Austin airport at 4 am Friday morning and parked the bus in the parking lot of a very fancy grocery store. We awoke this morning to hear Adrienne speaking with one of the Mexican gardners tending the landscaping.
We washed up in the bookstore bathroom and are now ready to head on to San Antonio to deliver some medicines that we are carrying and then heading on to McAllen.
The bus is working out very well and we are now completly accustomed to the reasurring drone of its engine and big wheels that keep carrying us forward.
The front tire started to show some alarming wear and we needed to get them replaced outside of Little Rock. We told the manager of the tire shop our story and he managed to find some high quality used ones and we were back on the road.
We picked up our photographer at the Austin airport at 4 am Friday morning and parked the bus in the parking lot of a very fancy grocery store. We awoke this morning to hear Adrienne speaking with one of the Mexican gardners tending the landscaping.
We washed up in the bookstore bathroom and are now ready to head on to San Antonio to deliver some medicines that we are carrying and then heading on to McAllen.
The bus is working out very well and we are now completly accustomed to the reasurring drone of its engine and big wheels that keep carrying us forward.
Monday, July 23, 2007
More Photos from La Esperanza
The transmitters, tower sections, and boxes of equipment were all loaded onto the bus this weekend by a hardy crew. We are finalizing some paperwork here and ready to depart on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, these inspiring photos from the transmitter site just came in from Honduras.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
That Final Push
Well, we decided that we can make it to the border easily in 2 1/2 days of driving, and we all have a lot of things to do here, so we're going to leave the morning of Wed., the 25th, instead of the day before. We're still sticking to our plans to begin the border crossing negotiations on Friday afternoon -- the 27th -- which is the earliest opportunity.
SO -- This weekend, we'll finish preparing the bus and Sunday, late morning, begin loading in the big equipment. For that, we need lots of help, so if you've been hoping for an opportunity to get involved, now is it!! Call me at 217-762-9561, or email btaylor@prairienet.org, or just click on that link on the right side of this blog, if you can come, so we'll know when we have a quorum. (It will take a number of people to do this smoothly.)
We can use help doing some last-minute packing of little stuff, printing out things, etc., so it's not all heavy lifting -- In fact, with enough people, no one should have to strain. If you can't come Sunday, there's going to be preparation going on nearly constantly until we leave, so just get ahold of us via the avenues above, and there will be something you can do for sure!
Peace, Bill
SO -- This weekend, we'll finish preparing the bus and Sunday, late morning, begin loading in the big equipment. For that, we need lots of help, so if you've been hoping for an opportunity to get involved, now is it!! Call me at 217-762-9561, or email btaylor@prairienet.org, or just click on that link on the right side of this blog, if you can come, so we'll know when we have a quorum. (It will take a number of people to do this smoothly.)
We can use help doing some last-minute packing of little stuff, printing out things, etc., so it's not all heavy lifting -- In fact, with enough people, no one should have to strain. If you can't come Sunday, there's going to be preparation going on nearly constantly until we leave, so just get ahold of us via the avenues above, and there will be something you can do for sure!
Peace, Bill
Friday, July 13, 2007
The Countdown Is Holding
Well, we're on a bit of a hold, waiting mostly in the line for our customs negotiator to do the work for our crossing into Mexico. Things are shaping up well in Honduras. I hope to be able to post some new pictures of that soon. Mil gracias to the wonderful folks of COMPPA and COPINH who are doing a huge amount of work getting the infrastructure ready, gathering all the complex documents necessary get this stuff out of the U.S., through Mexico and Guatemala, and into Honduras.
Many great volunteers have done great work here as well. It's impossible to mention everyone, but here's a few -- Ben, Maya, Dave, Gabe, Danny, Lori, Noel, Bill, Adrienne and Jane. In addition, lots of people have helped over the years that it has taken to get this project together, giving money, attending concerts, doing publicity, giving moral support and working with equipment. You're wonderful. We wish you could all come and visit the construction and sign-on of La Voz Lenca, but meanwhile you can still get involved.
Our departure date is set (yes, set) on July 24th. We will arrive in Phar, TX, south of McAllen on July 27th, stay overnight at the border, and take off from Reynosa on the 28th. With good luck, we'll roar into La Esperanza about Aug. 6th. Keep watching this blog, especially after the 24th, to enjoy the adventure, at least vicariously.
Peace, Bill
Many great volunteers have done great work here as well. It's impossible to mention everyone, but here's a few -- Ben, Maya, Dave, Gabe, Danny, Lori, Noel, Bill, Adrienne and Jane. In addition, lots of people have helped over the years that it has taken to get this project together, giving money, attending concerts, doing publicity, giving moral support and working with equipment. You're wonderful. We wish you could all come and visit the construction and sign-on of La Voz Lenca, but meanwhile you can still get involved.
Our departure date is set (yes, set) on July 24th. We will arrive in Phar, TX, south of McAllen on July 27th, stay overnight at the border, and take off from Reynosa on the 28th. With good luck, we'll roar into La Esperanza about Aug. 6th. Keep watching this blog, especially after the 24th, to enjoy the adventure, at least vicariously.
Peace, Bill
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Visible Progress in La Esperanza
Alas, we are still in Illinois getting equipment ready, waiting on customs clearance and taking the road test for the commercial driving license. Our partner on this project, COMPPA, has been in La Esperanza for several weeks and has been invaluable for co-ordinating things on the ground there.
The local group submitted our customs information to the Honduran government and they expect a favorable response by Tuesday. They have also been getting the site ready to install the transmitter and tower. The local group have been building the shack that will hold the transmitter and have been digging foundations for the antenna pad, as well as anchors to hold the guy wires.
They report:
The anchors are in a about square meter of concrete and tied off to a 4 foot rebar structure, the anchors themselves are equivalent to the rohn gac575501 although the bases are much heavier duty then what rohn calls for.
They did a serious foundation for the tx shack so that thing is not going to go anywhere and it should have a great base for being dry inside at least from ground level. 50cm stone foundation all the way around leaving a 3x4meter inside dimension for the whole place so that should be plenty of space. It will be a nice tx shack if it continues on the current path.
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Monday, June 25, 2007
Kingpins, Frozen Nuts, and Other Diversions
When we drove the bus to Urbana from the lot in Kankakee we found that it was pulling to the right rather fiercely. We did some homework to see if we could find a simple explanation for it, but everything pointed to a more major problem that could result in a disastrous tire blowout on the highway.
With the clock ticking on our temporary license plate we drove the bus over to have the front end examined. They called us back to say that the kingpins were worn out and needed replacing. They gave us a good deal on the replacements. On Thursday I used my new learners permit to drive the bus out to the Kalyx center. It's much better behaved now.
It's now parked out at there and we are prepping it for accepting the transmitters and radio tower sections.
Of course the bolts that hold the seats down are heavily corroded from salt carried in on little pupil boots. The seats were apparently bolted into the body before it was attached to the chassis, so some of the nuts are very hard to reach behind the exhaust system and the brake lines. This is now turning into a serious obstacle to getting packed.
We are also having little luck getting the copper wire that we need to build the ground plane for the antenna. We need about 2.5 miles of the stuff. The best price we can find is $3,000 for the necessary length. If you know anyone who you think would be interested in supporting this project then please show them our donate money page.
Bill did pull off a spectacular summer solstice bon fire last week. The event was well attended, everyone brought great food to share and the fire was only rivaled by the full moon in lighting up the sky.
With the clock ticking on our temporary license plate we drove the bus over to have the front end examined. They called us back to say that the kingpins were worn out and needed replacing. They gave us a good deal on the replacements. On Thursday I used my new learners permit to drive the bus out to the Kalyx center. It's much better behaved now.
It's now parked out at there and we are prepping it for accepting the transmitters and radio tower sections.
Of course the bolts that hold the seats down are heavily corroded from salt carried in on little pupil boots. The seats were apparently bolted into the body before it was attached to the chassis, so some of the nuts are very hard to reach behind the exhaust system and the brake lines. This is now turning into a serious obstacle to getting packed.
We are also having little luck getting the copper wire that we need to build the ground plane for the antenna. We need about 2.5 miles of the stuff. The best price we can find is $3,000 for the necessary length. If you know anyone who you think would be interested in supporting this project then please show them our donate money page.
Bill did pull off a spectacular summer solstice bon fire last week. The event was well attended, everyone brought great food to share and the fire was only rivaled by the full moon in lighting up the sky.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Bus Update
We've all had a go at driving and parking the new bus. It's big, but it's not too hard to drive. We've done a great deal of homework on the rules of the road and finally received confirmation from the DMV that we can call this a charitable vehicle (not a bus!) and can get away with Class B licenses instead of full commercial licenses. That simplifies things somewhat.We are working on customs now to make sure we can get across the borders without any problems. The local group in Honduras are working with Honduran customs to get the bus and itemized radio equipment approved. We have to present this approval to Mexican customs to show that it will be going through Mexico. Apparently due to problems in Oaxaca no radio transmitters may be imported into Mexico.
Maya is very anxious to decorate the bus. She is soliciting ideas for messages to be painted on the bus. Any suggestions?
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Hi Folks,
Sorry for the long delay on updates; It's been a full week.
WE GOT A BUS!! (You can see it at the north end of the Urbana High School parking lot over the weekend.) It's big -- 71 passenger capacity. It runs really smoothly, just needs a little work because it pulls to the right a bit. Adrienne, Maya, Jane and Ben are excitedly plotting ways to transform the interior for the trip down. We're really excited about the prospect of driving it to Honduras.
We've been getting nice donations of stuff we need. Royden Freeland of International Crystal Manufacturing in Oklahoma gave us the crystals we need to retune the transmitters to their new frequency. Many thanks Mr Freeland and to Dan Druszkowski of Andrew Corp. in Joliet who facilitated the donation of the high quality Andrew coaxial cable to connect the transmitter to the tower, another essential part of the system.
We had a bit of a scare when initial measurements of the Utopia site in La Esperanza indicated that there wasn't room for the tower for which we have a license. After some scrambling via email, our cooperante in La Esperanza, Timo of COMPPA (Comunicadores Populares Para la Autonomia), remeasured the space, and we found that we could squeeeeeze the tower in with some fudging, and it should work fine. So, now we're back on track looking for sources of miles of copper wire (literally), and sorting out who will take responsibility for what in the tower erection. Wow, email has made it so much easier to plan these projects!
Yesterday, Maya Bauer came out to the Kalyx Center to test equipment and clean it and Robin Shealy did great work streamlining the software for scanning manuals, converting the images to text and translating that to Spanish. This greatly speeds up the process of providing Spanish documentation for the transmitters and other essential equipment. THANK YOU!!
Due to complications getting the bus, the confusion about the tower site, and the quite complicated process of getting the CDL driver's licenses necessary to drive the bus to the border, we're reluctantly pushing the departure date back a bit, so there will be a Summer Solstice celebration at the Kalyx Center on Thursday night, June 21. (Yeah, I know it's crazy to add that on to all of this.)
AND, we have some more opportunities for people with any skill level to help out. We'll be working at the Kalyx Center on Tuesday this week, and on Thursday up until the Solstice Celebration. Then, the big push to pack up everything and load it into the bus on Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24. We'll need lots of help with that, so if you've got some time, we'd love to have you! Call me at 762-9561 or 649-9085 for directions, to get info about carpooling, and to let us know how many we can count on. THANK YOU!!
Thanks for all of the wonderful solidarity in this. We appreciate your participation in this effort!!
Peace, Bill
Sorry for the long delay on updates; It's been a full week.
WE GOT A BUS!! (You can see it at the north end of the Urbana High School parking lot over the weekend.) It's big -- 71 passenger capacity. It runs really smoothly, just needs a little work because it pulls to the right a bit. Adrienne, Maya, Jane and Ben are excitedly plotting ways to transform the interior for the trip down. We're really excited about the prospect of driving it to Honduras.
We've been getting nice donations of stuff we need. Royden Freeland of International Crystal Manufacturing in Oklahoma gave us the crystals we need to retune the transmitters to their new frequency. Many thanks Mr Freeland and to Dan Druszkowski of Andrew Corp. in Joliet who facilitated the donation of the high quality Andrew coaxial cable to connect the transmitter to the tower, another essential part of the system.
We had a bit of a scare when initial measurements of the Utopia site in La Esperanza indicated that there wasn't room for the tower for which we have a license. After some scrambling via email, our cooperante in La Esperanza, Timo of COMPPA (Comunicadores Populares Para la Autonomia), remeasured the space, and we found that we could squeeeeeze the tower in with some fudging, and it should work fine. So, now we're back on track looking for sources of miles of copper wire (literally), and sorting out who will take responsibility for what in the tower erection. Wow, email has made it so much easier to plan these projects!
Yesterday, Maya Bauer came out to the Kalyx Center to test equipment and clean it and Robin Shealy did great work streamlining the software for scanning manuals, converting the images to text and translating that to Spanish. This greatly speeds up the process of providing Spanish documentation for the transmitters and other essential equipment. THANK YOU!!
Due to complications getting the bus, the confusion about the tower site, and the quite complicated process of getting the CDL driver's licenses necessary to drive the bus to the border, we're reluctantly pushing the departure date back a bit, so there will be a Summer Solstice celebration at the Kalyx Center on Thursday night, June 21. (Yeah, I know it's crazy to add that on to all of this.)
AND, we have some more opportunities for people with any skill level to help out. We'll be working at the Kalyx Center on Tuesday this week, and on Thursday up until the Solstice Celebration. Then, the big push to pack up everything and load it into the bus on Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24. We'll need lots of help with that, so if you've got some time, we'd love to have you! Call me at 762-9561 or 649-9085 for directions, to get info about carpooling, and to let us know how many we can count on. THANK YOU!!
Thanks for all of the wonderful solidarity in this. We appreciate your participation in this effort!!
Peace, Bill
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Workday at the Kalyx Center
A workday was held yesterday at the Kalyx center in Montecello. We spent some time discussing the logistics of the trip and working out some time lines to get everything in place.
Bill found a very good bus for us to take down to Honduras. It has a 71 seat capacity which is great for hauling down the two refrigerator-sized AM transmitters and the 10' sections of radio tower, but might be too unwieldy and costly for the Lenca group to operate after it is donated to them. We are looking for the local group to approve the bus before we go ahead.
I got a chance to see the transmitters for the first time. They were manufactured by Harris in the 70s and were the first solid state (no tubes!) transmitters made. One of the units was actually one of the first of the line. These are venerable devices to be sure. Bill is in the process of retuning them to operate in the frequency allocated by the Honduran government to La Voz Lenca. This is not as simple as turning a dial. Some components have to be replaced and coils carefully retapped.
Meanwhile, I was trying to salvage a working PC or ten out of the big pile of donated technology that Bill has acquired for the project. Some of them are modern PCs that just need some parts swapped or software installed. Others are a real trip down memory lane for an old geek such as myself.I keep trying to remind myself that these computers are just as useful today as they were ten years ago when they were the height of high tech.
I didn't make too much progress, but Bill was very positive and pointed out how useful it is to at least know what doesn't work.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Hi Folks,
We have a new listserve, so you can get project updates sent right to your very own computer. You can sign up by following the link below right.
A bit of an update: I've been analyzing the parts of a shortwave antenna, that's been around the farm for awhile, to decide what other parts we need to reconfigure it to make the bottom of the new tower we're building in La Esperanza. If anyone wants to help out with spreading out wires, measuring, and cleaning give me a call. 762-9561 or cell 649-9085.
We're going to be doing some workdays to give anyone who wants to help out with physical stuff an opportunity. --- This week, it's all day Saturday, June 9, next week, we'll be here all day Monday, June 11. --- There's work for every skill level - scanning manuals into the computer. cleaning and painting, rebuilding equipment, analyzing computers, doing research, asking businesses for donations, etc. Call or email, or comment to this posting for directions, carpooling and to RSVP, so I know how many to expect. There's also some stuff that can be done in the comfort of your own home, online or on the phone.
The last components for retuning the transmitters just came in, so we'll start testing those shortly. Anyone wanting {increasingly rare] experience with AM transmitters is welcome to join in.
Peace, Bill
We have a new listserve, so you can get project updates sent right to your very own computer. You can sign up by following the link below right.
A bit of an update: I've been analyzing the parts of a shortwave antenna, that's been around the farm for awhile, to decide what other parts we need to reconfigure it to make the bottom of the new tower we're building in La Esperanza. If anyone wants to help out with spreading out wires, measuring, and cleaning give me a call. 762-9561 or cell 649-9085.
We're going to be doing some workdays to give anyone who wants to help out with physical stuff an opportunity. --- This week, it's all day Saturday, June 9, next week, we'll be here all day Monday, June 11. --- There's work for every skill level - scanning manuals into the computer. cleaning and painting, rebuilding equipment, analyzing computers, doing research, asking businesses for donations, etc. Call or email, or comment to this posting for directions, carpooling and to RSVP, so I know how many to expect. There's also some stuff that can be done in the comfort of your own home, online or on the phone.
The last components for retuning the transmitters just came in, so we'll start testing those shortly. Anyone wanting {increasingly rare] experience with AM transmitters is welcome to join in.
Peace, Bill
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Hi Folks,
Watch for some changes in this site as we get the nuts ands bolts of it sorted out.
Right now, though, here's some nuts and bolts of our own:
A huge, urgent need: We got a very generous donation to buy a schoolbus to get all of the stuff for this project to Honduras, where the bus will left for the use of the Lencas, but we need someone with a commercial driver's license (CDL) to drive it. First, it needs to be driven from Kankakee to Monticello so it can be loaded for the trip, and then on about June 22, we go to Honduras, and need a driver at least as far as Mexico, and maybe the length of Mexico as well. Any CDLees out there?
We're also looking for a whole big gob of wire to make the ground plane of the vertical tower antenna we're building. We need bare wire, not necessarily new, and we need about 2 1/2 miles of it. So far, we've gotten a donation of 900 feet, so we only need 12,600 feet more. This stuff is HEAVY - about 300 lbs. if we get all 12 gauge wire, almost 700 lbs. at 8 gauge, so the extra weight on the bus is an important consideration. Nevertheless, this stuff is really expensive if bought at currently inflated, war caused scarcity prices. (315 feet just sold on eBay for over $100 with shipping.) Anybody have copper wire connections?
Peace, Bill
Watch for some changes in this site as we get the nuts ands bolts of it sorted out.
Right now, though, here's some nuts and bolts of our own:
A huge, urgent need: We got a very generous donation to buy a schoolbus to get all of the stuff for this project to Honduras, where the bus will left for the use of the Lencas, but we need someone with a commercial driver's license (CDL) to drive it. First, it needs to be driven from Kankakee to Monticello so it can be loaded for the trip, and then on about June 22, we go to Honduras, and need a driver at least as far as Mexico, and maybe the length of Mexico as well. Any CDLees out there?
We're also looking for a whole big gob of wire to make the ground plane of the vertical tower antenna we're building. We need bare wire, not necessarily new, and we need about 2 1/2 miles of it. So far, we've gotten a donation of 900 feet, so we only need 12,600 feet more. This stuff is HEAVY - about 300 lbs. if we get all 12 gauge wire, almost 700 lbs. at 8 gauge, so the extra weight on the bus is an important consideration. Nevertheless, this stuff is really expensive if bought at currently inflated, war caused scarcity prices. (315 feet just sold on eBay for over $100 with shipping.) Anybody have copper wire connections?
Peace, Bill
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Welcome to the Primary Communications Project Blog
We have created this blog to keep project members, donors, and other interested parties up to date on the status of PCP's active projects.
We are currently preparing to drive equipment down to La Esperanza, Honduras to build La Voz Lenca (The Lenca Voice).
We have created this blog to keep project members, donors, and other interested parties up to date on the status of PCP's active projects.
We are currently preparing to drive equipment down to La Esperanza, Honduras to build La Voz Lenca (The Lenca Voice).
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