You may get your chance to haul your KX1 or even a K2 aboard a dirigible yet.
Friedrichshafen, where Count von Zeppelin built his famous airships from the LZ 1 that flew in 1900 to the huge Hindenburg in the 1930's is once again producing dirigibles. The company, Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, is currently focusing on dirigibles for tourism, but plans include airships for long international flights after gaining the necessary regulatory approvals. The prototype Zeppelin NT has an aluminum and carbon-fiber skeleton that is lighter than the Zeppelins of the past, and a skin of Tedlar foil and polyester fabric that is lighter, stronger, and more water resistant than the cotton-based fabrics of the old airships. I haven't kept up with all the latest from Friedrichshafen, but I recall a news article that a Zeppelin was purchased by DeBeers to use for diamond exploration work in South Africa. Their website is http://www.zeppelin-nt.com/index.htm After working years in which my job entailed being regularly jammed into an aluminum cigar and launched through the air on trips that often lasted 10 or 15 hours, the image of traveling on a Zeppelin at a leisurely pace that allows my internal clock to keep up with the sun is mighty appealing. It's sort of like the difference between making a cell phone call and working friend on CW. Each has its place, even if one is "old technology". Implemented using modern materials and engineering, it can give the "old technology" new life - sort of like Elecraft does for "radio communications" <G> Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
