The Thrifty Rocketeer

 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... No, this is not a column about how Model Rocketry is a dying hobby.  It's actually about another sister hobby that sometimes overlaps into Rocketry. I'm talking about Amateur Radio. Just this last weekend, our local Ham Radio club held a "swap meet" which is commonly called a Hamfest.  These gatherings to buy and sell used equipment, parts and visit old friends typically happen just once a year and in the absence of the late Radio Shack, is one of the only places to find parts and electronic elements. There is also testing held to advance to higher licenses. The admission varies depending on the club, their overhead, expense of renting the hall or venue, and the number of tables that they can sell to area vendors who will drive across state with their wares to set up for the half day show. It's not uncommon for amateur radio operators to drive across state to attend, pay admission and get a single entry into the door prize ...

 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... In almost every hobby, there is a turn-over in participants.  Some move away, some age out, some get married, some just loose interest. But the result is a constant supply of new blood.  New bodies to replace old ones.  And if the hobby is to survive, this is a requirement.  Hopefully, our hobby will continue to see new participants find their way here and thrive. It has been my experience that there is also an almost constant flow of used, older equipment that goes in the opposite direction.  That is, older hobbyists will donate or attempt to sell their older gear to younger fellas. In the case of rocketry, I have found a semi regular donation of older rockets, launchers, launch rods, motors or devices to be the case.  In some instances, as a rocketeer is moving up from low power to medium or high power, the lower power materials simply don't interest them any more.  Maybe the wife has told him to clean up...

 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... Many times, I have written about my use of yellow glue from Elmer's and my preference for their needle-nose applicator/valve from the white glue bottle.  I routinely remove the chisel tip and replace it with the orange twist applicator instead. I don't know how many have followed me in doing this, but I hit a problem with it today. I was working on an Astron Explorer and used my usual tip and bottle of yellow wood glue to secure the motor mount assembly.  While it dried overnight, I moved on and began to mark and prepare to cut slots or ports in the three smaller tubes and two larger body tubes.  I also punched out the balsa fins, sanded the edges slightly, feathered the leading edge, and then sealed the balsa with sealant.  I set that aside to dry as well. As I completed all this and prepared to begin again with the assembly tonight, I discovered my "valve" on the needle nose applicator wasn't opening.  I could...