tripoli prefecture # 138 january, 2011 vol 01 no 01 · balls 20 is on the board. doubt if there is...

January, 2011 Vol 01 No 01TRIPOLI PREFECTURE # 138

January 2011 Vol. 01 No. 01

PUBLISHED EXCLUSIVELY FORTHE MEMBERS OF TRIPOLI GERLACH

All Content Copyright© 2011 by TRIPOLI GERLACH

Welcome to the first issue of TRIPOLI GERLACHNEWS, as we call it. It is our hopes to become aNational Prefecture drawing Tripoli Members from allover the USAand with that in mind this publication willbe our way of distributing news and informationpertinent to our evolution.

The concept of Tripoli Gerlach was conceived by TomBlazanin, Pennsylvania and Deb Koloms, New York.Both being avid Black Rock people the idea came aboutas a base group for the little HAMSTER DANCEResearch Launch they developed.

With the possibility of other Research Launches theidea of a Prefecture based in Gerlach, Nevada took onthe direction of being Tripoli Rocketry Association'sonly National Prefecture, having members from allover the USA. With six initial organizing members,Tripoli Gerlach was established.

Funds from the initial six founding member’s coveredthe Tripoli Prefecture Fee and the purchase of a URLfor internet use.

Tom Blazanin (TRA#003), longtime Black Rockenthusiast, was appointed Prefect and Dave Rose(TRA#7126) was placed in the position ofSec/Treasurer. Deb Koloms (TRA#9021) was madeEvent Coordinator and given the position of VicePrefect.

Recognized in January of 2011 by Tripoli RocketryAssociation, Inc. as Prefecture #138, Tripoli Gerlach isstrictly a Research Rocketry Prefecture and as stated, isworking to become a National Prefecture by havingmembers from all over the Continental USA who havea mind set to launch Research Rockets at least once a

year in the Black Rock Desert.

Our WebSite is up and running and all members areencouraged to promote it to all persons they feel arequalified and interested in joining us. Our officialPrefecture WebSite can be viewed at:

For now we’ll formally list the six Tripoli GerlachFounding Members. With the input, insight and fundingof these people the base for Tripoli Gerlach was formed.

Tom Blazanin (003)Valencia, PA

Deb Koloms (9021)Watertown, NY

Dave Rose (7126)N. Huntingdon, PA

Jerry McKinlay (1879)Las Vegas, NV

Ken Good (132)Pittsburgh, PA

Les Dekovitz (698)Pioche,NV

Each issue we’ll post our New Members, News andUpdates to the Prefecture, Information on UpcomingLaunches, News of Gerlach and things that might be ofinterest in pursuing Research Rocketry activities in theBlack Rock Desert.

If you, as a Tripoli Gerlach Member, would care toparticipate in this publication with articles you feelmight be of interest to other Prefecture members, Havesomething for sale or have any postings or items youwould like to submit please E-Mail them to the editor at:

[email protected]

WWW.TRIPOLIGERLACH.ORG

ON THE COVERHalf Scale WAC Corporal flown successfully atBALLS 18 by Tom Blazanin. Recoveredunsuccessfully, but that’s Research Rocketry!L to R: Tom Blazanin, Les Derkovitz, CurtHughes, Deb Koloms and Dave Rose.

TRIPOLI

PAGE 2 TRIPOLI GERLACH NEWS

One of the primary reasons for the formation ofTripoli Gerlach grew out of the concept of theHAMSTER DANCE Research Launch.

While exploring the Black Rock Desert Area severalpeople came across a small pristine dry lake on theback side of a basalt rock formation christenedFishBack Mountain by explorer Tom Blazanin. Wehad previously found a unique dry lake up behindBlack Rock Point and declared it Area 52, due to itsisolation and near secret existence. Upon seeing thissmall “cute” little dry lake Dave Rose christened itArea 6 !

This little dry lake, while isolated, would proveuseless to launch Research Rockets on however, littleModel Rockets could have a field day here.

While musing down at the view of the little lake bed,during a trek to the top of FishBack Mtn, Deb Kolomsand Tom Blazanin laid groundwork for a unique,interesting and sure to be fun launch.

7/8

The National WEENIEX Launch

The idea of holding a small Research Launch forrockets having a total lift-off weight of 3 poundswould permit a launch without an FAA waiver. Asmall launch under 40 participants would not requiredealing with the BLM. And if metal cases would bebanned an interesting challenge could be added to themix.

The name HAMSTER DANCE came about referringto adult NAR type Model Rocket people (Hamsters)who, like their namesakes get complete enjoymentrunning their little wheel over and over building littlerockets and getting nowhere.

The WeeniEX came from the fact that little NAR typeModel Rockets are called Weenies. That said it onlyconcludes a small Research Launch using small littleWeenie Rockets be called a WeeniEX.

Proceeding tongue in cheek it was soon evident that if weto conduct a Research Launch we’d have to comply withTripoli’s Research Safety Code. The fact we would beusing EX Motors meant we better get insurance. Andsince we’re doing that we may as well raise the weightlimit to 5 lbs and get an FAAwaiver.

The only rule we won’t change is that no metal motorcases can be used. Is it easy?

With all this we look forward to HAMSTER DANCEbeing a fun yet serious experience. Judging by responsefrom information leaked out early it may draw moreparticipants than we originally anticipated.

Top photo shows area 6 from the air. You can seeTrego Road (RT 48/ST49) in the top left of the photo.

Bottom photo shows Area 6 with relations to thetown of Gerlach and the BALLS Launch Site.

7/8

7/8

SHOULD BE FUN!

TRIPOLI GERLACH NEWS PAGE 3

GERLACH WEBCAM

Those remarkable and yet thoroughly useless people atBURNING MAN, you know, the ones ruining theBlack Rock playa, have one good thing going right now.AWebcam looking down the Main Street of Garlach.

For the last several years it used to be at the top of theWater Tower in the Community Park. It was veryweather worn and always in need or work being out inthe elements 24/7. No one wanted to climb the tower tofix or clean it.

Then they got the bright idea to move it into the BurningMan Office. Good thinking except they used the sameweather beaten camera that came from the top of thetower. All you could see was a blurry picture with a bigexposure burned center. You’d think with all themillions of dollars they have, they’d buy a new camera.Well they did!

Now the picture is crisp, clear and clean. It changesevery minute 24 hours a day. Not much to see at nightexcept the street light.

It is set on the Burning Man WebSite but keeps movingpage locations as their year progresses. We have asimple fixed location that posts the minute by minutepicture from their site. It’s always the same view butyou can check what the actual weather is in Gerlachanytime you want. Sunshine or snow, rain or night itsthere.

To view the camera image simply visit:

www.rimworld.com/gerlach

VISIT GERLACH ANY DAY, ANY TIME

Downtown Gerlach As Seen Through The Community Park

T-SHIRTS AVAILABLEWith part of our existence being to raise operatingfunds for future launches we have incorporated into ourbusiness, items for sale to the members and public. Thefirst of these items is the Tripoli GerlachT-Shirt.

These Hanes 50/50 blend T-Shirts come in adult sizesSmall thru 3X and the official Tripoli Gerlach colors ofeither Sand or Chocolate. They’re only $20 each,including free shipping and they’re available on ourWebSite under MERCHANDISE.

To differentiate between public and Tripoli Gerlachmember’s we’ve placed a small logo on the left sleeveof all shirts ordered byTripoli Gerlach members.

With the help of GRAPHIX & STUFF we will beadding more items specific to our Prefecture and theBlack Rock Desert Area. We are looking at Decals,License Plates, Sweat Shirts and maybe even Jackets.

Visit the WebSite and order a few dozen in all thecolors! Remember this is your Prefecture and we areour best source of funding.

TRIPOLI

TRIPOLI


BALLS 20 is on the board. Doubt if there is a ResearchRocketry person who doesn’t know about it. This yearshould prove to be one of the best years ever.

The BALLSWebSite is on-line at:

While BALLS Registration is open Mark & Robin asknot to send in your Registration and dollars until afterJune 1st. Make a note and try to comply. Earlyregistrations get filed away and will not be opened untilJune 1st!

Just about all current Tripoli Gerlach Members have aroom reserved at Bruno’s. Some have singles and somehave doubles. The number of rooms at Bruno’s arelimited as we all know. Some of us wanting singles havebeen assigned a double simply because of roomavailability.

If you hold a double by yourself we ask you considermaking your spare bed available. Tom can oversee thisand you will be asked before any changes or additionsare made.

Any questions contact TOM at:

[email protected]

WWW.BALLS20.COM

BALLS ROOMS

LDRS AT BLACK ROCK

CUSTOM LETTERING

Currently members of Tripoli Gerlach are puttingtogether a proposal to the Tripoli BOD on holding anLDRS at Black Rock.

This will give many people a chance to experience theBlack Rock phenomenon. Any input or comments onhow to go about this would be greatly appreciated bythe Committee. Please send them to Deb Koloms:

[email protected]

Tripoli Gerlach member Dave Rose, of GRAPHIX &STUFF, has a special offer to all fellow Tripoli Gerlachmembers needing custom lettering or logos for theirBALLS projects.

Dave is offering a “family” discount to fellow memberson all Custom Vinyl design and product provided yourrocket carries a Graphix & Stuff logo as well. This is apretty good deal!

Get in touch with Dave now to plan out that unique lookthat will set you apart from the others. Give him youridea and turn him loose!

[email protected]


www.graphixnstuff.com

24 Gals To Finish Off Your Rocket,Range Box, Car, Truck or Anyplace

With A Clean Smooth Surface

While the Black Rock area has many “explorers”, nonetoday are as far out on the edge an Ian Kluft. A memberof AEROPAC, actively pursuing High Power Rocketry,and a frequent visitor/explorer of the Black Rock area,Ian has come up with a theory not many “professionals”have conceived. In his many rambles around the deserthe has come up with the idea the Black Rock Desert isremnant of an age long gone meteor impact.

In January 2007, Ian discovered a possible ImpactCrater at the Black Rock desert. He and other volunteershave assisted in researching it. It'll be called "possible"or "suspected" until geologists confirm it and papers arepublished. You can see the evidence so far for yourself.Ian is open to and welcomes assistance of type ininvestigating this theory.

Ian had been observing rock patterns like breccias anddeeply fractured rocks. The theory got a boost inJanuary 2009 when he found a 54-mile/87km ring in theterrain surrounding the Black Rock Desert, an apparentdeeply-eroded rim which happens to include 7mountain ranges and all the highest peaks in the region.But a scientifically-accepted proof can only come fromfinding evidence of impact shock in the rocks.

Critics have dismissed the theory because he is not ageologist. Others because very specific proof isrequired for impacts. Most proposed impact theoriesstart with skeptical reactions and have an uphill path toearn acceptance through field research.

Ian has created a Crater Map of the Black Rock area,shown above. It definitely looks legitimate. As to hisBreccia evidence the lower photo shows Area 52,viewed from the far side, pointing out areas Ian hasfound Breccia formations.

You can visit Ian’s WebSite where he posts all of hisevidence and theories. He also posts probably the mostinteresting source of information regarding the BlackRock Desert you will find anywhere. Interested infinding out more then go to:

www.blackrocknevada.info


BLACK ROCK DESERTAN IMPACT CRATER?

http://www.blackrocknevada.info

Breccia is a term most often used for clasticsedimentary rocks that are composed of largeangular fragments (over two millimeters indiameter). The spaces between the large angularfragments can be filled with a matrix of smallerparticles or a mineral cement that binds the rocktogether.

Breccia differs from Conglomerate which iscomposed of rounded worn rock pieces.

Several Tripoli Gerlach Members havebanned together with DT ResearchRocketry, in Pennsylvania, on a GroupProject for BALLS 20. While not very bigby BALLS standards this project issomewhat complex.

This 6” x 168” all fiberglass two stage wasoriginally built by Kreig Williams in Ohio.Kreig retired from rocketry and Dave &Tom inherited it.

Dubbed 2K11 it has been completelyrestored to better than new conditionhaving several “short-cuts” rebuilt to stateof the art operation. All rope shock cordsare now ¾” Kevlar and all internal woodelectronic bases are now fiberglass.

PHOTO SHOWS KREIG PREPPING FOR HIS FIRSTSUCCESSFULTWO STAGE FLIGHT.

The original hand made Nose Cone wasreplaced with a Performance RocketryNose Cone for better appearance and tohouse a complete commercial GPSsystem.

The Booster will use a NASSA L Classmotor yet to be designed. It will alsohave two MissileWorks RRC²s tooperate the single event recovery.

The sustainer will use a RockeTronicsTM-1 timer to handle stage firing of theSingle K Class motor and i tssurrounding four J class motors (mightbe I’s). The upper E-Bay will also havetwo Missile Works RRC²s to fire the dualevent recovery system all out the nose.

A modified AIPTEK HD Video Camerawill also share the upper E-Bay tocapture the entire flight with a CameraAlways Down position.

With all work just about complete DTRocketry is looking for people interestedin joining the project by supplying theneeded propellant grains for the sixmotors to be used.Anyone interested cancontact DT Research Rocketry at theirWebSite:

WWW.RIMWORLD.COM/DT

Once there click on Я PROJECT for updated progress reports and tovolunteer with the motor making andground support..

BALLS 20


Well you have the first issue of our communicationsmedia for the private distribution of Prefecture News tothe membership. TRIPOLI GERLACH NEWS, aswe’ll call it formally, will be published six times a year.Look for the next issue in March.

While this publication is basically for Tripoli GerlachMembers feel free to send a PDF copy to people youfeel meet our membership requirements and interests.We are always interested in serious and open friends.

If you have anything to contribute in the way ofinformation, articles, photos or whatever, please sendthem to Tripoli Gerlach Headquarters shown below. E-Mail submissions are just as welcome.

We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

IN CLOSING

INTERESTING JUNKCoca-Cola was originally green.

Everyday more money is printed for Monopoly thanby the US Treasury.

The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters.

Men can read smaller print than women; women canhear better.

When Opossums are playing ’possum’, they are not“playing.” They actually pass out from sheer terror.

Percentage of Africa that is wilderness is 28%

Percentage of NorthAmerica that is wilderness is 38%

Average number of people airborne over the US at anygiven hour is 61,000.

Iceland consumes more Coca Cola per capita than anyother nation.

Acat’s urine glows under a blacklight.

The first toilet ever seen on television was on “Leave ItTo Beaver.”

The name Jeep came from the abbreviation used for the“General Purpose” vehicle, G.P.

The Pentagon, inArlington, Virginia, has twice as manybathrooms as is necessary. When it was built in the1940’s, the state of Virginia still had segregation lawsrequiring separate toilet facilities for blacks and whites.

The airplane Buddy Holley and friends died in wasnamed “American Pie”, (Thus the name of the DonMcLean song.)

Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of theirunwanted people would burn their house down - hencethe expression “to get fired”.

The term “the whole nine yards” came from WWIIfighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming theirairplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gunammo belts measured exactly 27 feet.

“I am.” is the shortest complete sentence in the Englishlanguage.

TRIPOLI748 Galloway DriveValencia, PA 16059


www.thetripolistore.com

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tripoli prefecture # 138 january, 2011 vol 01 no 01 · balls 20 is on the board. doubt if there is...

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