So the big news this week is that Matt Strelow (KC1XX) and crew came to the HWC this past Tuesday (12/22) and worked on the antennas. KO1O was there to meet him and to facilitate his work. K1XQ also came by to lend a hand. Matt completed a number of antenna chores and finished up by the early afternoon. If you recall, last Tuesday dawned in the 60's (as I heard on the radio, driving from PA to Boston) and bottomed-out in the 20's--quite a turn in the weather over the course of a day. From Bill's and Dave's reports, Matt was able to align the two beams (bolting the log to the mast), re-erect the 40 EU sloper and 80 Vee, propose antenna chores for a spring visit, test out the extra coax run (no problem with this line), come to some conclusion about the feasibility of an 80M rotatable dipole (it can be done), check the antennas and guys for safety and security, propose several alternatives for repairing or replacing the 40-2CD, and several other tasks. It's nice to be back on track again with the HF antennas after many years of neglect.

Dave and I attended the meeting this evening. We first worked on Dave's excellent mock-up for the new W1AF QSL card. Thanks also to Bill for some digital imaging assistance. One little adjustment in the design-work and we should be there. Dave will drop the new version of the card by the club the first of next week. Meanwhile, I'll work on the obverse. The station description is sorely in need of an update for this new card. This QSL will feature a new photo of the station and also touts 1999 as our 90th anniversary year. This will be a *very* nice QSL and will take us into the 21st Century.

Dave and I then moved equipment around in the storage/meeting room so that the walls will be thoroughly accessible. I have a painter coming in tomorrow to give an estimate for painting the room. Dave and I removed all displays from the walls including the US1A QSLs and the old W1AF banners. The room should look like new soon. Then comes some commercial carpeting, a thorough housecleaning (good-bye accumulated trash), and we will have a clubroom once again.

The IC-735 is out for repairs. The IC-736 makes an excellent replacement. It is difficult to see much difference between the 736 and the 781, at least in receive mode. Dave worked some good DX before and after the meeting. The bands are in excellent shape. 15 had some super cluster spots at 0200Z! On 40, we seldom get beat in any pileup with the 40-2CD. The sagging front element doesn't affect performance in the least.

The air conditioner/heater is spitting soot again. Time for a maintenance visit from the Sanyo dealer. We'll work on that this week.

Dave and I tested out the 40 EU sloper and the 80 Vee. Both load beautifully. Glad to have both antennas operational again. Thanks to Bill and Nick for helping put together the new 40 sloper. We're now waiting for Matt's bill from this visit; Harvard will pay their fair share of the tab

Refurbishment progress on 6 Linden St. is coming along although it is hard to believe that the building will be done by the end of January. We continue to have a very good rapport with the construction people. KYFC.

Waiting for 1998-99 dues from Maury (I expect that's in the mail) and from Frank. All other dues payments have been deposited in our checking account.

Tim McBride is still missing. We have received dozens of calls at W1AF from his friends and family trying to locate him. His father has promised to notify us when they hear of his whereabouts. I last saw Tim on Friday, 12/11. Tim, if you read this, call your parents.