MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Minutes of the 07-08-2008 Tri-Area RC Flyers Monthly Meeting

President Jim Cook opened the meeting at 7:00 pm.

Attending: Marken, Smith, Berger, Kampmann, Cook, Calkins, Pendleton, Fitch, Bangle, Cochran, Carter, Greene, Cindy and Jim Cook. Guests included Robin and Ari McMillen for their third visit and Bill Rawlings an SKP guest joined us for the evening.

The previous meeting minutes are approved as submitted.

Treasurer Report: Larry Berger reports the club had minor expenses of $64.99, no income, $1939.17 in the checking account and the CD has grown to $5019.34.

Old Business: President Cook asked the attending members for volunteers to organize a summer fun fly. Due to lack of interest there is no scheduled event at this time.

Safety Report: None

New Business: Noted all electric fly-in at DeAlton Field behind the Evergreen Air Museum in McMinville Oregon will be held on August 23^rd, 2008.

A security issue was brought to the attention of the attendees, the combination lock on the storage shed at the flying field was found in the unlocked position. It is important to roll the tumblers and verify the lock is secure.

General: Guests Robin and Ari McMillen are recognized for their attendance and voted in to the club as our newest father and son team. We welcome them and offer up our team of skilled Instructors and Safety Officer for guidance.

Meeting adjourned at 7:16pm

Program: Bob Kampmann introduced Randy Calkins to Show and tell about his respectable collection of RC Boats.

Respectfully Submitted by Greg Marken

SPECIAL NOTICE

>Thanks to Randy Calkins for this one:

Keith Leifsen

President Seattle RAMS 2008

AROUND THE CLUB

No this does not show how old I am or how long I've been in the hobby! :-)

I was living in Sacramento, CA at the time, and the AMA NATS was held in Reno, NV one year (must have been in the 1980's). so I drove up there and competed in the Open P30 class.

My recollection was that I came in 17th out of 74 or so.  It was a lot of fun and I got to see some of my old control line flying buddies from Minneapolis, who drove to Reno to fly and spectate.

JUST PLANE FUN

Is there any interest in a section devoted to reminiscing—looking back??? I think there are enough of us that have been in the hobby for a long time to support a monthly burst for a year or so. Let me know what you think.

NEW MEMBERS

I hope to obtain a brief bio and a picture of our new members to enhance their introduction to the membership. This is voluntary on the part of the newbys, but it should be beneficial for all.

SPARKS—Poly Quest Li Poly batteries

I bought 4 of these batteries based on a friend’s recommendation plus having built in balancing ports. The batteries are all 20C, 3 cell with 2 each 1200 MAH and 1800 MAH capacity. The smaller batteries have not been used, and both of the larger batteries have died. Yes, I used them off and on for 3 years. The failure mode for both batteries was the same—they went out of balance and would not rebalance. It appears that a cell shorts out internally. The first failure occurred when the battery was only about a year old. There was a third 1800 MAH battery, but as received it had a below minimum voltage and would not accept a charge, so it was returned.

Not a very good track record. Bob Kampmann and I decided that Thunderpower batteries seem to be the best of the lot. I have a 20C 3cell 2100 MAH T’Power that causes the motor to make more power than it did with the now defunct 1800 MAH item.

EDITORIAL

The newsletter is much shorter than normal this month due to a combination of things. This has been the Summer From Hell for us, so I have not had much time for writing or flying. Hopefully things will get better, and I’ll have a bit more time for the hobby, but I also need your support. Please send me appropriate jokes, cartoons, web sites, mini-kit reviews, field happenings, etc. You too can enjoy the fame and fortune that writing has given me!

FIELD MAINTENANCE

We have 2 Bills looking after the field for August: Bill Anliker and Bill Berson

FOR SALE OR TRADE

If you want to list an item, just send me the details including your name, phone number, and asking price or trade-for item. Low pixel count digital (JPEG) pictures are also acceptable.

MONTHLY MEETING—August 9 at 7:00 in the SKP Clubhouse

The bored will have a business meeting at 6:30. Lawrence Pendelton is going to present his observations at the McMinnville, OR model airplane museum and if Chuck Danztler is available, will be sharing the spotlight on that subject.  Chuck is a long time modeler, from like, just after WW 2 or so. 

Pete Granger

granger@olypen.com