[Fourlanders] Acquisition of a contesting trailer

[w4zst at windstream.net]

Open letter to the members of the FourLanders reflector and supporters

I had found out recently that an excellent cargo trailer for operating in, similar to
Brian's that we use now, had become available due to the owner downsizing in 
retirement.  It belongs to Terry W4TL and is a dual axle Wells Cargo16' trailer that I had installed a military mast on the front of, similar to Scott's trailer and mast that most of you are probably familiar with.  I had asked him back when I did that job to let the FourLanders members have first crack at it when he decided to sell it. 
Those of you who know Terry, have undoubtedly seen the trailer at hamfests as he used it for that quite often, mostly before I installed the mast.

I have previously contacted the most active members of the group to get a feeling
about whether they thought this was a good idea and if they would help with the
acquisition, either with voluntary contributions or as a club assessment.  The response had been great with a large majority of the members I contacted in agreement and willing to donate $200 each for the purchase.  No one has disagreed with the idea.

He is asking $2800 which includes the military mast mounted on the front ( I have 
 a picture from when I did the installation that I can forward to anyone interested, just
can't send it through the reflector), and also includes a 3' mast extension that he had made, and a HamIV rotator with two control boxes and 150' of cable for the rotor.
  
I proposed that we could sell the rotor, extra box and cable and we would 
be in the neighborhood of about $200 each for the active group.  So far I have had
$2200 pledged so we do need a little more participation to complete the deal.

If you can see your way to help out with whatever amount you feel comfortable with,
we would certainly appreciate it.  The trailer will be a valuable asset for the group.
If you are ever contesting on the mountain-top in a rain storm, you will immediately agree.

So, let me know with an e-mail back to me personally and I'll keep a tally of how we are doing and hope that we will soon be able to have enough funds to do this.
 
Think it over and let me know. 
 
Thanks and 73, Bob