For five years, I chaired our local Ministers’ Fraternal. It was one of the happiest associations I have had. (As to what happened to it, see OBSERVATION below). I gave the following motivation for its continuation -- which will give one an impression of its character, too: 1. Devotions. Our devotions give us useful input as leaders that we wouldn't receive within our own Churches. 2. Advice. We receive helpful balance and words of experience from colleagues and co-workers. 3. Fellowship. We are one in Christ, and bear witness to our unity as we worship together. 4. News. Our Fraternal keeps us all up to date. 5. Support. Getting together gives us opportunities both for prayer and material support. 6. Community. Inviting community leaders helps us get to know them and have a united approach. And 7. Diversity. Meeting in each others' different Churches gives us a better feel for each others' ministries. OBSERVATION: I stepped down as chairman because I thought that we should rotate the chairmanship, to be more Congregational about it. Looking back, this was not a good idea. The fraternal collapsed. Long live Congregationalism! Thanks to http://www.bai.org.uk/ for the image.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
What Will They Know?
Jenny Hillebrand comments on my post Flashback 1965 (a photo of our Junior Choir, taken 44 years ago): “It's cool that you have records and photos from so far back! Do you keep records from now on file for later?” The photo, however, was not in our records -- it was recently sent to us by the old choirmaster. Reading Jenny’s comment, I realise that, ten years from now, less than a fifth of the congregation may remember what the Church was like today. The only record would be our minutes book. OBSERVATION: The photo shows our congregation a decade ago -- markedly different to our congregation today. Incidentally, that’s a former Miss South Africa at the front, just left of centre. Jenny’s blog is Carpenter’s Shoes. Thanks to Hannes Blank of Germany for the photo.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Flashback 1965
I wonder whether any members from way back look in here. This is our Church’s Junior Choir, Christmas 1965 (you may click on the photo to enlarge to VGA). The choirmaster is now a very old man. I recognise only two other faces, one of whom died young (kneeling, on the left). OBSERVATION: I showed the photo to one of our members recently. He said, “That’s wacko! The Church is compleeeetely different now!”
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Moravian Church
I recently took this photo of the Moravian Church in the village Goedverwacht, which lies in a long, narrow valley about 150km (100mi) north of Cape Town. This would seem to be the only photo of the Church's exterior on the Internet. It was built between 1895 and 1896, by the residents. Goedverwacht has an unusual history, which is summarised here: http://www.places.co.za/html/goedverwacht.html. You may click on the photo to enlarge to VGA.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Atmospherics Monitor [1]
When it comes to electronics, I consider that there’s only one thing as interesting as a radio circuit. That is an atmospheric charge monitor. Here is a simple design I did (on the right -- taken from one of my books), which uses an analog or digital multimeter to display atmospheric charge. Once one gets a feel for the changing multimeter display, one can confidently predict lightning strikes, cold fronts, and much more. It is fascinating to place the meter on one's desk and observe atmospheric activity. Comparator IC1 is the "engine room" of the circuit, and includes an antenna and an earth to measure potential difference between atmosphere and earth -- see Atmospherics Monitor [2] for instructions on the antenna. IC1 has an extremely high input impedance, which reduces the "thin" atmospheric charge at 2½ metres' (2½ yards’) height to an estimated 1V at its non-inverting input. VR1 adjusts the inverting input at pin 2 to roughly match the potential at the antenna. This must be a multi-turn preset potentiometer. Other potentiometers do not have the required precision. R1 slightly mutes the responsiveness of the circuit. The Atmospheric Monitor is ideally powered off a DC plug-pack power supply, for the sake of stability. Attach a multimeter to the circuit as shown, and switch it to its 5V range. Turn VR1 across its entire range until a point is reached where the output voltage swings wildly. At this point, continue with very careful adjustment, until the output voltage stands at about 2.5V. Do not make this adjustment when the ground is wet, as this will likely skew the readings. OBSERVATION: You will notice daily variations of charge -- mostly gradual. If the multimeter readout tends to drift too high or too low, carefully readjust VR1. When a thunderstorm approaches, there should be a very obvious increase in output voltage, and ultimately sharp fluctuations with lightning strikes. If the voltage goes off scale, use VR1 to bring it back within range. You may click on the diagram to enlarge. To follow the electronics trail on this blog, click on the "Electronics" category top left.
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NOTE: You may re-publish this design, on condition that you acknowledge the designer (Thomas Scarborough) and this blog (http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com).
Atmospherics Monitor [2]
A suitable antenna is needed -- see Atmospherics Monitor [1]. This is constructed of seven lengths of approx. 1mm (1/32") diameter enamelled copper wire, soldered together as one at the base. The tips are sharpened with a file, to improve sensitivity. These seven copper "javelins" are each 70 mm (3") long from the point at which they separate from their base, and form a 70mm (3") diameter circle at their tips. At their base, the "javelins" are soldered to the core of a 15 m (15 yd) length of screened microphone cable. This must have a quality screen, which cheap substitutes sometimes do not have. The cable's core, at the antenna end of the cable, together with its insulation, protrudes from the screen by 100mm (4") as shown in the diagram. That is, 100 mm (4") of the outer screen and insulation is cut away. The copper "javelins" are fixed into the top of a length of PVC piping. The microphone cable is then secured with a cable tie, to ensure that it will not pull loose. The whole assembly is mounted about 2½ metres (2½yards) off the ground at its tips, and preferably half a metre (half a yard) or more away from any exterior wall. Directly beneath the antenna, at the ground, a section of the microphone cable's screen needs to be exposed, so that it "shows through" the insulation, and this is securely connected to a metal stake in the ground. For safety purposes, the remaining length of microphone cable (several metres/yards) is buried in the ground, and its far end is taken to the circuit (pin 3 of IC1). The screen of the microphone cable is wired to the circuit’s 0V (pin 4 of IC1). You may click on the diagram to enlarge.
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