Hi!  My name is Charles Hawkins and I’m your new “not yet a member who can’t find his AMA card” who volunteered to help out with the web site.  This is my second attempt, actually my third now that I think about it as Ray had me write the notice about the Sunday event at Gifford Farm.  The first attempt at writing was much nicer written, however it took me longer to write, and by the time I hit “save” I had been disconnected.   I thought I’d tell all of you how much I enjoyed the Tuesday night meeting and class.  I’ve already ordered some powerpole sets and plan on borrowing that crimper.  I found that very useful information.  I found 10 sets of 2, with red and black housings and the roll pin for less than $10.  I was already trying to figure out what went on batteries, male or female, and what size, ultra, standard, or micro, etc.  This will save me a lot of time.  I really like the idea of a crimped fitting being better than soldered.  I also ordered some nice, 68/25 polarized wire.  I can’t find any of my old wire.  I enjoyed the familiarization on meters.  The first meter held up, was an exact copy of one of  several I own, but mine is filthy dirty.  And the other 2 which as I remember were much better, I’ve not seen for a good 18 years but I’ve got them somewhere.  And I loved the models brought in, including the mini-helicopter.  I ran right up to Competitive Hobbies on Wednesday night and purchased the remaining Piper Cub with no name on it.  I ran back up there on Thursday, hunting for an adapter, because I found out batteries should be kept charged at around 50%.  How do you know what’s 50% anyway?  And finally, I was impressed with how many members came to the meeting and the neatness of the meeting area, neat as in cool.  I got there at 6pm and I was a bit worried there for a while when no one else was around.  All together it was an enlightening evening and I hope that eventually, maybe I’ll know enough to be able to enlighten someone myself. (10/11/2007 cfh)