Resurrection of TEARA

 TEARA, the Triangle East Amateur Radio Association. Formed in 1989, ran strong for many years, did lots of things... but began to die a slow death. Around 2022, it went dormant. A few of us are DX'rs, have done a bit of contesting / special events, and building. We wanted to bring TEARA back, but as a DX Association, a focus we had within the hobby. There are several great, conventional ham clubs in the area, and we didn't want to water them down. So, we set out to start the TEARA DX Association. Lots of things are underway, and I'll post info here about them later. 

TEARA membership is free. No need for dues, all equipment is member owned, and no liability since we'll be operating mostly from home stations. Check it out at https://TEARA.club 

Husqvarna Lawn Tractor...

 Not radio related, but a task that had to be done.. Trying to get all of the yard stuff done before the soil temp falls too far... leaves, aeration, seeding, fertilizer,  etc. "Thought" I'd be done monday... lawn tractor started smoking and puking oil out the rh side of the engine block. At first, I thought it was a base gasket blown, but after cleaning a bit, removing the upper covers and starter, I found a long vertical Crack in the block. 

No time to pull the engine to fix this! I cut a groove in the block crack with a dremel tool. Made a small horizontal cut at the top to try and stop the stress cracking. Degreased with break cleaner and acetone. Laid on the JB and cured 24 hrs. It ain't pretty... Ran all day, yesterday, not a drop of oil leaked. If it'll hold until January,  when I dont need it, I'll pull the engine and give it a proper repair. I hate these red neck repairs, but sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do :-)

Oil was spraying from here. Had to pull the covers and starter to clean and inspect...

There's the Crack, running right along a casting mark...

That's an ugly patch, but it worked.