Last of Sunday posts

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Today the winch truck is coming to raise the tower. The base will need to be leveled so we have dug around the base to facilitate moving it a few inches to get is squared. Remember they dug up the base, which was 6 feet deep and brought it to use in this new location. We would have poured a new base, right? Were in Nigeria. Saturday we went into town and found a hardware dealer (read a store in a hole in the wall selling new and used stuff) and bought rope and used cable clamps along with a new hack saw blade and some bolts. Nothing even close to a ACE store anyplace. All most all stores are open air or 12 foot wide side by side in a building next to the street. NO PARKING LOTS, park at the edge of the street. I had brought new turnbuckles with me from the states, they would have been hard to find here. Truck shows up and we discuss where to hook the chain up to tilt the tower up, the operator knew exactly where to attach it. We started up and then the winch truck needed more hydraulic oil......The tower then went up with no problems and we spent the rest of the time attaching the guy ropes (3/8" stiff stuff) and then tighten things down. We had heavy rains last night and need to wait for the dirt to settle and dry out before climbing. So the antenna will go up tomorrow.
Doris and I now have a Nigerian radio licenses. The Secretary General of Nigeria radio society showed up and inspected the station and my credentials and after showing him my license and passport I am now 5N9SJA and my first contacts with the dipole antenna were with Sweden and the Czech Republic, cw & ssb on 20 meters. Doris's call is 5N9BGD. We got pictures showing him the radio donated by my home club in Kansas (Central Kansas Amateur Radio Club) and he will make up a letter of appreciation to bring back with me. Also Doris and I are life members of the Nigerian Radio Society, cool. This will help on future travels carrying equipment into the country.
This afternoon we are going to the market and some shops in town. I feel very safe here, people are very friendly and eager to learn and help. We will be back.

Doris and I are in an internet cafe in Zaria getting to use well worn keyboards (some letters are not visible) to post to the blog and check emails. A truck just threw a load of chickens on the side of the street, someone's supper tonight.....

Bye from the explorers..... pete & doris