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I am very Sad to report to you all that our friend Leroy N7EIE lost his wife Carolyn. She passed away Sunday morning April 3. Bev and I visited with Leroy and Carolyn quite frequently up at Fort Lewis for lunch. Also we visited them at their house in Yelm and I always went up to help Leroy with Ham Radio Field Day. We will miss out get together with Leroy and Carolyn. We wish Leroy the very best in the future and I'm sure we will be spending time together in the future. <> 

Leroy and I are 20 year Navy Veterans. We both are Retired Navy Chief Petty Officers.

Carolyn Leslie Smith Carolyn Leslie Smith (nee Cramer) passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at the age 67. Carol was born November 13,1943 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to her beloved parents Lester and Norma Cramer. She is survived by her husband, Leroy Smith of Yelm, her two sons, Tim Giedd (Tami) of San Diego and James Giedd (Wendy) of Eatonville, her three step-children, Angela Ammons, George Smith, and Lena Snow, her sister, Claudia Andersen of Port Charlotte, and eleven grandchildren. Carol was a wonderful woman, with strong convictions and determination. She was fiercely proud of her family, her children in particular, and never failed to mention them to anyone and everyone she ever met. Hearing her sincere,” I LOVE YOU!", will be sorely missed. We are happy that she is at rest with the Lord and reunited with her parents. We'll miss you Mom, until we see you again in Heaven.

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I was a Scoutmaster for about 10 years.  In August of 1979 I led a group of 6 scouts on a "Fifty Miler" (50 miles of hiking) in northern Idaho.   We started on the Montana/Idaho border, west of Superior, Montana; hiked along the state line to St. Joe Lake, then down the St. Joe River to the Red Ives Ranger Station, where some parents picked us up to go back home.

My Heathkit HW-8 5 watt CW transceiver went along...on my back!  Also included was a 80m dipole, minature paddle, and small gel-cell battery.   The radio gear weighed about 10 pounds.   During the week long trip I checked into WSN and IMN several times.

I had told the boys about CW, radiograms, and what I was doing doing during Net time.   One night the boys said "can you send a message to my parents?".   Of course I said "yes...what do you want to say to them?".  Here is my recollection of the message, as sent to Joan, WA7BDD (SK) in Spokane:

485 R K7BFL  26  HELLER GRAVE IDAHO  AUG 10

JIM AND MARY LOU MAHAHA
SPOKANE WA
TEL --- --- ---

WHEN YOU MEET US AT RED IVES ON FRIDAY PLEASE
BRING SIX LITERS OF COKE AND THIRTY PIECES OF KENTUCKY
FRIED CHICKEN X ALL IS WELL

CHRIS AND SHAWN

I checked into IMN with my QRP rig and the antenna strung from trees and bushes, about 8 feet high.  Joan [Jo Ann] heard me just fine; I sent the message; got a QSL.   The boys were amazed....but a bit skeptical.   We hiked into the campground at Red Ives (about 150 road miles from Spokane) on Friday as scheduled.  The first thing the boys asked their waiting parents was "do you have the coke and chicken?"  A big smile told them that yes, the coke and chicken had been delivered!   We all enjoyed the meal and fellowship!   CW to the Rescue!

Four of the six scouts later became Eagle Scouts.    Three of the six scouts became career officers in the Navy and Army.   I am very proud of all of the Scouts which passed through Troop 485 during my time as Scoutmaster. 

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I had a long talk with Del W7JG and his son Jim on the phone. Del is recovering from surgery and is doing okay however now he has the Flu to contend with also. Del is 88 years old and is planning on getting back on the radio soon.

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For the past 4 years I have helped the Lincoln County Repeater Group, providing auxillary communciations for a "moto-cross" event called the Desert 100.   It is a VERY large assembly of folks who like to race motor bikes through the sage brush scab-land, about 5 miles west of Odessa, Washington.   It is a two day event.   The hams provide assistance (using 2 meters) to race officials and an ambulance company, assisting in the dispatching of medical personnel to injured riders.   A couple of Ultra-light aircraft was also in the air, in contact with us via radio, looking for down riders.

The event is held early in April of each year.   A instant city of  trailers and motor homes is created, complete with WiFi service!   Cell phone service is sporadic, due to overloading of the local cell towers.  This year there were about 3000 riders on Saturday's "Poker Run" and about 1500 riders during Sunday's two lap 100 mile race...and I mean RACE!   The winner finished is less than 3 hours, traveling over a twisting, rough course through rocks and sagebrush on both sides of Crab Creek.

Sometimes I am the Net Control Station, using many of the procedures and protocols learned on WSN.   We use FM on 2 meters.  Sometimes I am assigned to one of the "Check Points" along the course.   MANY injuries occur, such as broken collar-bones, broken legs, broken arms, concussions.   This year 3 people were transferred to the Moses Lake hospital by helicopter.   About 15 other people were transferred to the Odessa hospital, after being picked up on the course by a "Four Wheeler", strapped on a Backboard.  
What a way to have "fun"! ??? 

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Beverly and I both were in the Hospital in Feb, 2011. I was in for 3 days with a heart problem and Beverly was in for 2 days with Internal Bleeding. Fortunately we were well taken care of and we were sent  home. My heart is doing just fine and Beverly is doing well also except she hates taking those large Iron Pills.

I would like to express my appreciation to all WSN Members for hanging in there to help out and keep the net running smooth. Band condition have not been very helpful on occasions and it's nice to hear everyone helping out. I am proud to be a member of WSN.

Allen W7QM