I received permission to observe Museum Ship Weekend June 6 thru June 8 at the
Galveston County Park on the end of the Bolivar Peninsula. The ships can be
seen at Seawolf Park on the other side of the Houston/Galveston/Texas City
Channel on a clear day. We were denied permission to use Seawolf Park or the
ships this year for multiple reasons that I will discuss with you personally,
but I don't understand well enough to make a public statement. The new site
will be Fort Travis on the southwest corner of the peninsula near the Gulf and
the ship channel. The site has modern restrooms and allow overnight camping.
The county normally charges for camping, but has waived their fees because
support of the Museum Ship Weekend and exercising our temporary operating site
set up, operation and tear down is considered in the public interest. Of
course, we plan to demonstrate amateur radio to any interested public visitors,
scouts or other interested
parties. I will issue an invitation to County and City officials who might
like to visit.
I plan to set up some antennas on Friday afternoon, June 6 so that we can
operate Friday Night. The park closes the gate at sundown, so those who stay
past sundown should plan to stay the night. The gate will be opened about 0730
on Saturday and Sunday morning. The public is free to come and go during the
park open hours. I plan to complete the antenna installations as early as
possible Saturday for use until tear down on Sunday afternoon. I plan to have
food and drink available throughout the period, but at this time, I do not have
a menu planned nor do I know how many people plan to stay the nights or operate
during the day Saturday and Sunday. Attendees will need to travel to the
Bolivar Peninsula, near the light house and ferry landing. The most expeditious
route is my the Texas Highway Department Ferry which runs 24 hours per day and
does not charge any fee. The ferry ride is about 10 to 15 minutes on a large
vessel which is very
stable. Vehicles of any size suitable for highway travel are accommodated
including large Recreational Vehicles, Trailers and Semi-Trailer Trucks. At
some weekend times there may be a substantial wait if traffic is heavy.
I plan to visit the park and survey what we need to bring or plan. Interested
amateurs are invited to come with me or to make individual survey trips. The
park is open to the public from 0730 till dark, 7 days per week and there is no
fee during the daytime. I need to plan adequate food and drink, so please give
me as accurate head count as practical and discuss your operating plans with
me. I tentatively plan to use the club tri-bander with a club owned tri-plexer
which can accommodate up to three stations, at least one wire antenna for 80
and 40, a small VHF/UHF antenna for 2 and 1.25 meters and a two element Quad
for 6 meters. My current expectation is that there will not be a satellite
station unless plans change and someone furnishes one.
If you plan to bring one or more rigs or camping gear for overnight, please let
me plan with you. The Cabanas well be available for our use, but they have not
been repaired fully after Hurricane Ike. I think there is no mosquito
protection at present, but I plan to survey this before the date. An operating
tent and a sleeping tent may be needed. If anyone owns one who plans of
bringing it, please let me know. There has been mention of a camper, but I
have no information about size or if it is a motor home or trailer. I have not
asked permission for the camper, but will if someone plans to bring one and
gives me a description.
Willis 'Cookie' Cooke,BVARC Museum Ship Weekend Chairman,
TDXS DX Chairman,K5EWJ& Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart
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