dna@dsd.UUCP (06/04/84)
For about 6 weeks beginning June 12, I must be in Fairbanks, AK on business. For those of you curious about why -- at NASA I direct the effort withing the Crustal Dynamics Project which inter-connects radio telescopes aroud the world using the technique known as Very Long Base- line interferometry. With VLBI, we are able to measure the distances between stations separated thousands of km to accuracies of 1-2 cm -- making this the most precise surveying technique available. This summer we are adding four new base stations to our network to measure the motions of the Pacific plate -- thought to be about 8 cm/yr. The new stations are in Alaska, Hawaii, Kwajalein and Canada. In addition, we will have two mobile VLBI stations running around Alaska and Canada to measure regional deformations in areas where earthquakes are likely to happen soon. Since Fairbanks is the "hub" of this global program for the summer, it is necessary for me to be there to direct a rather massive technical and logistics operation. During the time I am in Fairbanks, I will be house-sitting for KL7GNG who lives only a few miles from the 26 meter antenna we will be using. Tom Walyer has an excellent station equipped for AO-10 on both mode-B and -L, for packets, and for HF. So expect to hear me on the air. In addition, the KL7RA QTH reknown for its contest performance on HF is on the site of the Fairbanks station, so I may be operating from there too. Elizabeth plans to join me for about one week near the end of my sojurn. I should return home about July 22, too late for the ARRL national convention, but just in time to zip off to the Central States VHF Society meeting in Cedar Rapids. During the time I am away, I will also be in contact with y'all on the air and via TeleMail. However, my remoteness and a very busy schedule will make it very difficult to attend to the day-to-day business of AMSAT. Therefore, I am asking AMSAT's second-in-command, Vern Riportella (WA2LQQ), to oversee the operations of the organization during my absence. I am sure that you will give Rip your full cooperation. 73,Tom