We are sorry that this issue is a little late. Our printer quit working about the time we were ready to start on the newsletter. We had planned to buy a new printer, but hoped to get this issue out first, but no. Buying, installing the printer and upgrading to W 98 caused more delays. Installing new stuff is fun, fun!
On our way from SC to CO we stopped in Junction City for a few repairs and upgrades. As usual, everything was done swiftly with great efficiency. What a wonderful group of workers! Harold has finished the chemo-therapy and says he feels great.
But we received some sad news while there. Many rally attendees will remember Joanne and Richard Chistensen. They were so excited to pick up their 5W last fall. They moved into it as fulltimers, but about two weeks later, Richard died suddenly. We pray for Joanne and the family and extend our deepest sympathies. We will miss them at the rally as they attended the first two as wannabees and gonnabees.
Registrations as of June 28 totaled 35. Two more programs are planned: a fire safety program and demo, and a "sharing" time about RVer's favorite gadgets and add-ons.
Earl Hylton is trying to organize a golf outing, probably at the municipal course in Manhattan (not the $80 course played last year).
Dedicated NH owner(s) who would consider becoming editors and publishers of the Horizon Herald beginning with the Jan/Feb issue, 2002. The McAnallys are stepping down as editors after starting the Herald and publishing it for three years: 1999-2001. It's well established and ready for new editors. We enjoyed being editors, but it's time for us to hand over the reins to someone else.
Please email us (or phone (719) 395-2952 until Sept. 6) if you think this is something you would like to do. Let us know your desires, your background, etc. We believe important qualifications include enjoying people plus a talent for writing, editing, and putting together all the contributions from readers. "Grunt work" involves updating the data base, printing, addressing, and mailing.
Hopefully, we can meet with those who are interested at the rally. We want to have this settled before the Nov/Dec issue is published. (Don & Helen McAnally)
In recent months it has become apparent that the new technology for accessing the Internet via satellite dish, for both receiving and sending data, has been disappointing for the mobile user, such as RVers. The settings and adjustments are too difficult and touchy for the average user. It is not a do-it-yourself project. But, while the hubbub and hand-wringing were going on over this technology (Starband), interesting developments were taking place with that old friend, the cell phone. The industry has been scrambling to bring the cell phone network from the older analog technology (called "1G") to digital (2G) and soon, digital with "packet switched networks" (3G).
So, why all the fuss about analog and digital networks? I can sum it up in two words; capacity and speed. Analog has limitations as to how much traffic it can carry. Now that America has fallen in love with the cell phone, the system is rapidly reaching its limitations. But the digital system is coming to the rescue in the form of those "packet switched networks." Just imagine traveling from Chicago to Denver on old 2-lane highways. That's 1G analog. If you take the same trip on the Interstate system, that's 2G digital. Now imagine that interstate expanded to 50 lanes or more, with everyone traveling 200 miles per hour. That's the new 3G digital technology coming down the road.
Where do you start in your search for the wireless phone system that will work for you? First, you cross your fingers just for good luck. Then I would suggest tracking down the web sites that I've listed below. Take a look at their national and regional coverage maps. How many days of the year will you be in their network? Not only look at their service as it exists today, but also their plans for the future. Check out cost per minute and location and number of service centers. Look at the available phones. Is the phone analog-digital switchable?
Here are some web sites:
If you want to fast track to that "perfect" phone and wireless
system, try this site: http://home.cnet.com/wireless/0-1923401.html (Robert
Voelcker)
Comments, ideas, questions, suggestions about most anything.
During our last visit to the factory, we interviewed three employees. We hope these sketches will help you know and appreciate the personalities of the people of Horizons who are oftentimes only voices on the phone. (Ed. note).
Ken is the Sales/Production Coordinator for Horizons. He coordinates production, is involved in sales, and handles the delivery of the units. And, as most of you know, he does the orientation and gives pointers and test drives to new owners.
Ken was born in Paterson, NJ in 1955, the eldest of six sons. He's still single. He was raised in Kansas. He attended a Vocational Tech college, studying to be an electrician. Then came a stint of four years in the Navy as an Aviation Electrician. He held other jobs, and even tried truck driving.
One of his most interesting jobs was with Dyna Corp, inspecting army combat track vehicles all over the world. The job required extensive travel: about 30K miles overseas, and 50K miles in the States, yearly. His home for four years was a 29' travel trailer.
His association with Harold began in 1985, with Mid American Machine, later with Horizons when they tried to establish dealerships. He's worked elsewhere since then, but came back in 1997. He plans to stay with Horizons and help keep it going and growing.
He enjoys seeing how happy people are with their new trailers. Most fun: hearing from them, particularly "We made the first trip all right." Last word: "Hope everyone is enjoying their trailer. We'll try to solve your problems."
Marcia is Office Manager on a part-time basis, sharing these duties with Gwin Kline. She's been with Horizons since 1997. Marcia was born in Benkelman, NB in 1951, the second of four daughters. She graduated from Kearney State College with a BS in Business. She married Ken Mortensen in 1972. They have two children. Jeff is an account executive in Columbus, NB. Jill graduates this year from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln with a degree in Broadcasting.
Ken started a career in banking. And he and Marcia owned and operated a Gamble Store in Nebraska for ten years. She majored in raising the children and Ken was successful in banking. He is now President of the First National Bank in Junction City. She is comfortable working with Harold, and likes her job and enjoys meeting people. And the pay is good. The work is varied and there's never a dull moment.
She likes to spend time with her children. Grandchildren are a future wish. Also, enjoys reading and traveling. Her dream trip is to travel from Maine to Key West, maybe in a NH.
Gwin shares the Office Manager job with Marcia. She's been with Horizons
four years. Gwin was born and raised in Junction City. That's unusual in
these days of mobility.
She has two daughters, ages 19 and 16. Her husband Jeff works as a logistical
project manager.
Gwin likes being a homemaker and that keeps her busy. She has two cats. She is interested in genealogy. Also, she collects antiques and likes to visit the shows and exhibits.
Another pursuit is volunteering for the United Way. Her goal: retire early and travel, but not in an RV. (Ed. note) Thanks to Ken, Marcia, and Gwin for sharing with us. Hope there aren't too many errors.
While at the factory, I met a couple (not newbies) who were picking up their new trailer. They proudly showed me around. One of their add-ons was a cut out under the sink for a tall trash can. What a concept! Several people who saw the practicality of this simple modification, myself included, decided to have one installed ASAP. (Robert Wolff)
Horizons new service building and large concrete apron increases work space and parking area. Efficiency will be increased since more trailers can be worked on at the same time. Harold said they will put a new sign on the highway advertising service work on other brands.
If you have an older unit with fixed pane windows on the ends of the big slideout, consider replacing them with sliders. Horizons can do this in a jiffy and at reasonable cost. The cross-ventilation is refreshing, particularly on warm summer days.
Tired of using a ten foot hose for a five foot hook-up? Or having to lay out two ten foot sections for a 14 foot hook-up? Sewer Master works like an accordion, expanding to 12 feet, contracting to three feet for storage. It's made of heavy vinyl, and costs more than the others, but we bought one and believe it's worth the money.
Rv lighting leaves a lot to be desired, particularly for us older folks, whose eyes age and grow weaker along with the other parts. OTT-LITE ® provides a strong white light that makes reading a lot easier, and you don't have to strain your eyes to read small print. It's a 13W system that plugs into your AC power. Office Depot carries the line: desk and clip-on lamps, and a small floor lamp. Or call OTT-LITE: (800) 842-8848.
Ed. note: last 4 items by the McAnallys. Where are your
contributions?
We have done a lot to both the truck and the trailer so I had better list them for future reference. First the truck:
The trailer additions and activities:
North Texas is famous for its occasional thunderstorms, especially in the fall. Well, we had a doozy and the external power went off. The trailer is protected by a surge protector and it worked. However as the power was cycling the AC side of the trailer stayed off. It seems there is a self protecting latent period for the inverter to kick in waiting for the shore power AC to stay off. While it was doing its job I got concerned that there would not be any AC from the batteries. This was later proved to be unfounded as the internal inverter supplying AC came on and worked fine. I disconnected the shore power plug to check the inverter under full load with the TV, computer, and microwave loads, and it worked as advertised. I have a fulltimers solar system (4 each 75 watt arrays) with 4 deep cycle 12 volt batteries, which worked as well.
RVs by their nature are thin skinned. We found that during a thunderstorm with heavy rain conversation is almost impossible. This trailer has an insulation factor of about R-11 so it is better insulated than most. That does not insulate against the sound of millions of large drops hitting the top and sides. The sound is similar to a military drum roll that goes on and on and on. When I was a small child I went to sleep when the rains would hit the roof of my grandmother's house. It became one of the strongest lullabies I can remember. That feeling returned when the rains hit the roof of the RV. This may be symbolic in a way. The freedom of RVing and a return to the pleasant times of childhood blend together. Perhaps this what it is all about. RVing is just a longing to recapture the joys of childhood, with grown up toys.
I sit at the computer with the trailer door open, and I can see the traffic on I-20 west of town. It is the middle of October and the snowbirds are migrating. I watch as other RVers head west to Arizona or east to connect with I-35 south toward Texas Snowbird land. The latter are called the "Winter Texans". The Winter Texans are a welcome lot that enjoy the warm winters (comparatively) of a "whole other country", as it says in the promotional ads. During the winter the population of Texas expands by as much as 10%. These snowbirds sometime set up up in a good location and explore all winter long, or they go to their familiar "second home" and meet old friends that return to the same location year after year. (Jon Floyd)
We have a faithful few who contribute regularly. We appreciate them, but that's not enough. We have to scramble, scratch our heads, and use too much stuff from our own experiences. You may have noticed that we are stepping down as editors. If not, see page one.
Please help the new editor(s) by sending in short and medium length items. Longer pieces are welcomed although 1000-1500 word articles are subject to severe editing.
We believe the number of contributions from readers must increase if
this newsletter is to continue to be a viable publication. (Don and Helen
McAnally)