HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jsco@buzzardroost.az.stratus.com (Jeff Scott)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Potasium Permanganate (sp??)
Date: 17 Apr 92 18:24:38 GMT


I had a question about potasium permanganate (sp??)
is this a usable oxidizer?? I know that potasium perchlorate is but what  
about the permanganate. I have a neighbor that has access to large  
quantities of this stuff and want to know if I can put it to good use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey E. Scott                 jsco@az.stratus.com (NeXT Mail)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opinions expressed are my own and not that of Stratus Computers, NUF SAID!
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All things in moderation, ESPECIALLY moderation!!
From: ralphc@tekcae.cax.tek.com (Ralph Carpenter)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Trioxane vs. Hexamine vs. HMTD?
Date: 17 Apr 92 02:37:20 GMT
Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or.


In a prior set of postings about HMTD, I saw some references to the
process for making it out of Hydrogen Peroxide and Hexamine. [Note: I
have no intention of trying to make HMTD.  I used up my luck in my youth
making things that went bang.  A moderately scarred index finger and the
memories of other near-misses keep me happy with the Dry-Ice + 2 Litre Soda
bottle formula I may try someday.]

Hydrogen Peroxide is commonly available.
Hexamine is commonly found as Heat Tablets.
Yesterday I saw some Army surplus Trioxane Heat Tablets.

My question, which was answered in a posting I did not keep and cannot now
remember: what is the difference between the (seemingly) older Hexamine
tablets and the (seemingly) newer Trioxane Heat Tablets?  

Ralph Carpenter

(My interests and my employer's are totally disconnected in this matter.)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: jstevens@aaron.carleton.ca (Jonathan Stevenson)
Subject: Re: Zinc Powder
Organization: Carleton University
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 14:03:57 GMT

I remembered the name of Zinc-Sulfur rocket fuel shortly after posting
my article last week (I had incorrectly called it Ammotal, which is
actually an incendiary type explosive that was used in WWII for
fire-bombs).  The correct name is MICROGRAIN, which seems to suggest
its use!

As for the stability of MICROGRAIN: The stuff is fairly safe (as safe
as any powdered substance) but as has been pointed out, any stray
powder in the air could be ignited by a spark.  Then again, normal old
flour will also ignite if in a cloud above a heat source (aka stove or
toaster) if you are careless enough.

Just like when you make serpentine Black Powder, you would probably
wet the zinc-sulfer a little bit (assuming this doesn't damage or
oxidize the zinc).  I was told by a fellow rocketeer that for
MICROGRAIN to work well, the zinc powder must be un-oxidized.  You can
buy the stuff at specialty chemical suppliers, but for a fairly hefty
price (the price in one place in Ottawa was around $200 Cdn for about
5 pounds of the stuff!).  


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        
    JJ DDDD   SSSS     Jonathan D Stevenson                     
    JJ D  DD SS  SS    Dept. of Aero & Mech. Engineering     
    JJ D  DD  SS       Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada) 
    JJ D  DD    SS 
JJ  JJ D  DD SS  SS    E-Mail: jstevens@ccs.carleton.ca        
 JJJJ  DDDD   SSSS          

"My hovercraft is full of eels"

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Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: RDX
From: kmwheeler@ualr.edu
Date: 17 Apr 92 10:40:28 GMT
Organization: University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Wanted:

RDX formula

or

EXCELLENT book on the subject

We've got 2 out of a sereis of 3 books here at the university that go
into marvellously chemically detailed stuff about explosives, and the
volume we don't have is the one that discusses RDX.

Need detailed info.

Thanks

Keith

kmwheeler@ualr.edu

Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: pierson@cimcad.enet.dec.com (Dave Pierson)
Subject: Re: curious about fullerene
Keywords: humour...
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date:  7 APR 92 12:38:05    

In article <1706@nic.cerf.net>, adler@nic.cerf.net (Bruce Adler) writes...
>Has anybody tried to make black powder with buckminsterfullerene
>rather than charcoal? Did it work? What happened?

	Nuts.  The secret is out.  THATS how they make hollow charge
	warheads.....

(couldnt resist...)

thanks
dave pierson			|the facts, as accurately as i can manage,
Digital Equipment Corporation	|the opinions, my own.
200 Forest St			|I am the NRA.
Marlboro, Mass		01752	pierson@cimnet.enet.dec.com
"He has read everything, and, to his credit, written nothing."  A J Raffles
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: tjreynol@zephyr.cair.du.edu (The Jumpin Dude)
Subject: Re: rec.footwear?
Organization: University of Denver
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 92 17:24:20 GMT

er, um, i meant sandals :-)  not slippers ..  maybe stickers?
From: jmills@cass.ma02.bull.com (John Luke Mills)
Subject: Re: Any reasons not to get a Cypress AAD?
Organization: Bull World Wide Information Systems Inc.
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 18:39:32 GMT

I received this email response to my Cypress AAD questions.  Kurt
can only read, not post to rec.skydiving, so I am posting his response
for everyone's benifit.

From: kf@cci.dk (Kurt Fleckner)
Subject: Re: Any reasons not to get a Cypress AAD?

 Hi There,

I cannot post to the newsgroup but can read it, so you may summerize
to the networld if you want.

I am member of the Danish Training and Safety Commite, and during the
meet of the Nordic Riggers we had the following comments to the Cypress.

Except for the price tag, we have the following comments:

 -  We cannot make a control, which says that this thing would fire
    Just to see it in work once would be nice, instead of trusting 
    the manufacturer.
 
 -  Thought it makes a selftest it cannot check the calibration of the
    anoids. 

 -  You never know if the bullet will go off (e.g. cut the loop)

 -  Strong communication signals/magnetic fields may open your reserve.
    4 of those has been seen out of more than 20.000, but if it is
    produced after August 91, it is more safe.
 
If you are a pro buy an Expert Cypress at once.
If you consider to buy a Student Cypress, consider the following:

 - When you reach 13 m/s it goes off af once. The FXC would take 
   MUCH longer to build up the pressiure and fire. A fast turn
   with a heavy jumper in a student rig, and PUFF number two is out.

 
Despite all this, I would not hesitate to buy one if I were you.

Mine has been on my rig for a long time and I feel safe about it.

Kurt Fleckner kf@cci.dk

--
From: yzarn@lhdsy1.lahabra.chevron.com (Philip Yzarn de Louraille)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: AAD Question
Date: 9 Apr 92 19:32:48 GMT
Organization: Chevron Oil Field Research, La Habra, CA.

In article <1992Apr8.202914.11562@ichips.intel.com> mtimko@ichips.intel.com writes:
>In article <1992Apr8.185027.2498@cass.ma02.bull.com>, jmills@cass.ma02.bull.com (John Luke Mills) writes:
>|> >
>|> >Question:  Does this incident make you more or less likely to use an
>|> >           AAD personally?
>|> 
>|> This doesn't make me any less likely to use an AAD.  It does however
>|> indicate a potentially valuable lesson.  If you have an AAD, there is
>|> now a minimum altitude where you should consider deploying your main.
>|> This will vary depending on the tolerances and trigger altitude of the
>|> AAD.  Below this altitude you should use your reserve to avoid the
>|> possibility of two canopies fighting for the same altitude.
>
>I would rather deal with two canopies than ASSUME my AAD will fire
>and pull my reserve instead just in case.  I don't think you'll see 
>the USPA supporting your recommendation all too soon.  The biggest 
>reason is for those people with reserve static lines (which is 
>recommended), pulling your reserve first means you don't get a second 
>chance.  Even if you don't have a RSL, your logic would have you pull 
>a reserve that could possibly malfunction and CANNOT be cut away. If 
>you then pulled your main, it would probably get tangled in the 
>malfunctioned reserve and then your really screwed.  I personally 
>cannot see any reason to risk such a senario just to avoid the 
>POSSIBILITY of an AAD firing and having to deal with two canopies.
>
>|> If you get this low, this might be a good idea even without the AAD.
>
>NOT!!!  Without an AAD, why should altitude determine which chute you
>pull?  Your rational makes no sense in this case.  Without an AAD,
>ther is no advantage to pulling your reserve over your main below a
>certain altitude and there are quite a few disadvantages.
>
>- Mark Timko
>  A-11659

I totally disagree with Mark's input and agree with John's.
If you are "too" low, pull your reserve because a reserve will (should) open
faster than a main. 
If I were to find myself around 1000' in freefall and had or had not an
AAD, I would pull my reserve. The point is, Mark, that if you open your
main that low and it malfunctions you (most likely) will not have the time to
open your reserve (unless it is a slow mal). So you should open the parachute
that will give you the most survival chance and that is your reserve.
RSL is usually seen on students, so it should not be generalized to the
general skydiving community.
-- 
  Philip Yzarn de Louraille                 Internet: yzarn@chevron.com
  Research Support Division                 Unix & Open Systems
  Chevron Information & Technology Co.      Tel: (310) 694-9232
  P.O. Box 446, La Habra, CA 90633-0446     Fax: (310) 694-7709
From: pat@moscom.UUCP (Product Assurance Testing)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: AAD Question
Date: 6 Apr 92 12:07:59 GMT
Reply-To: pat@moscom.UUCP (Product Assurance Testing)
Organization: Moscom Corp., Pittsford, NY

>>Quite honestly, Andy, I don't think anything would make me *not* want
>>to wear one.  If you need any convincing, just go through the back of
>>Parachuting some time. 



     A RSL,   YES!!!

     But why would a none student want to wear an AAD.  The hassles
     that go along with it.  If you're not going to even cutaway if   
     needed, then I would not jump to begin with.  (as a none student)

     I'm assuming that a none student would know enough to cut away in
     an emergency.  To pull the reserve, maybe they would not, but that
     is why I am in favor of RSL's.

     To the one poster who referred to the incident reports.  I have seen
     plenty of situations that may have turned out better with a RSL, but
     how many bouncers did not even cut away or were unconsious?


     My opinion, where a RSL and feel confident in your ability to cut
     away!



     Steve Albert   C-21030
From: dbriggs@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Daniel Briggs)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Yee hah!  -- More fancy exits
Date: 6 Apr 92 23:50:03 GMT
Article-I.D.: zia.1992Apr6.235003.11415
Organization: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro NM

Sometimes it just clicks.

'member that I mentioned that a good clean back layout series as being one
of my short term goals?  That I said that I'd be happy with three clean
ones?  I just tried an exit yesterday that I thought of on the way up.  I
was blown away by how well it worked.

Our Beech-18 has "running boards" in front of and behind the door.  A
standard student poised exit from this craft is with the right foot on the
edge of the door and the left foot on the front running board.  This
results in the body facing the aircraft and leaning forward somewhat.  This
time I started with both feet on the front board, and supported myself on
the handles near the door.  This meant that my body started out straight,
leaning backward at about 45 degrees to the horizon.  The feet were a
little awkward, but most of my body was more or less perpendicular to the
wind.  I just let go with my arms, and fell backwards.  I arched a little,
trying to accelerate the first layout, but as it turned out this was hardly
necessary.  I got *5* layouts right from the exit.  (Maybe 4 1/2.  It's a
little hard to count.  :)  And the aircraft passed darned near right over my
toes on each loop.  You couldn't ask for any more on heading than that!
I hadda give a whoop of triumph in ff.  I don't do that too often, but it
means that I liked it!

I'll still probably have trouble starting the series from belly-to-earth,
but I think I did learn something that will help me there.  I was so
surprised that it didn't blow up after the first few layouts, that I wasn't
trying as hard to accelerate them as I usually do.  I think I may have been
trying too hard in my usual attempts, and maybe a little early in the loop.
This was a little slower than usual, and *way* smoother.  (BTW, it is
easier to start from back to earth than belly to earth, if you want to
experiment.)

Things did go rather downhill from there, however.  The spot was so bad
that I had to hike back to the DZ a fair ways.  And we got weathered out
immediately after that, so I couldn't try it again.  Next week, though!

Blue skies, safe dives.

(Hey --  Anyone have any hints as to how to avoid going over backwards during
a sit spin?)

-- 
| Daniel Briggs  (dbriggs@nrao.edu)                      |        USPA B-14993
| New Mexico Tech / National Radio Astronomy Observatory |            DoD #387
| P.O. Box O / Socorro, NM 87801   (505) 835-7391        |
Support the League for Programming Freedom  (info from league@prep.ai.mit.edu)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: tjreynol@zephyr.cair.du.edu (The Jumpin Dude)
Subject: Re: Colorado DZ info request
Organization: University of Denver
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 92 01:05:18 GMT

In article <6730136@hplsla.hp.com> artb@hplsla.hp.com (Art Bori) writes:
>Is it jumpable in Colorado?  I'll be either in Fort Collins or Colorado
>Springs at the end of the month.  Should I bring my gear?  How cold is it?
>Any info will be appreciated.

we broke a record today, it's positively hot 

we jump all winter here, of course you should bring your gear! :-)

the Caravan just returned for the summer, loads are to 12-12,500
at $17.50 or 10/$160

Come to Skydive Colorado, just south of Ft. Collins, exit 259 off I-25
or exit 260, i guess, from the north.

i've been wearing sweats and a turtleneck under my jumpsuit,
tho others are wearing sandals and shorts already.

>Blue skies,
>Art Bori
>D-11402
>

tim

Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: tessmann@cs.ubc.ca (Markus Tessmann)
Subject: Re: Suggestions for rigs to buy...
Organization: Computer Science, University of B.C., Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 92 21:43:21 GMT

boucher@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Richard A Boucher Jr) writes:

>As to the type of jumping I'm likely to do...  Although I'm temped to quit
>my job and go cut grass at the DZ or wash planes for jumps I'm more likely
>to get my license and hop every couple of months or so to let off some steam.
                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>A little RW work now and then with some friends will probably do so I won't 


If you really will be jumping as little as that, I suggest that
you save your money and take up some other sport.  It is tough to stay
current if you do not jump more frequently and you will just be a
danger to the people you are with!

Assuming that you will actually jump more than that however, I strongly
suggest that for your first set of gear you buy something second hand.
There is such a large variety of canopies and containers that it is 
well worth getting some experience before committing a few thousand
dollars on a new set of gear that may not suit your style in the long
run.  A decent second hand rig will cost you under $1000 and provide
all the safety and most of the performance of a brand new rig (albeit 
not in your favorite colours!).  Plus, the resale value of a second 
hand rig will not change much after one season (50 - 100 jumps) and 
you can still put that money to a new rig next year.

Blue Skies...
	Markus  (C-990, Inst B, Rigger A, etc.)
From: bchurch@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (Robert Church)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: AAD Question
Date: 10 Apr 92 11:43:31 GMT
Organization: Ohio University School of Art,. Athens

In article <3462@moscom.UUCP> pat@moscom.UUCP (Product Assurance Testing) writes:
>     This got me thinking that before audible alarms and AAD's, what
>     did people use to tell them when to pull. Hmmmmm! Maybe their
>     own sensible altitude awareness.
          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Probably the best piece of equipment out. The Sensible Altitude Awareness.
Known as S.A.W. I SAW that it was time to open so I did. Now that first
jump students are required to wear altimeters we are one more (large) step
away from that kind of thinking. 

Bob Church
D-8195 NFS #27



-- 
*********************************************
*    bob church                             *
*    bchurch.oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu           *
*********************************************
From: bchurch@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (Robert Church)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Which handle to pull?  (Was Re: AAD Question)
Date: 15 Apr 92 01:58:37 GMT
Organization: Ohio University School of Art. Athens

In article <2913@lhdsy1.lahabra.chevron.com> yzarn@lhdsy1.lahabra.chevron.com (Philip Yzarn de Louraille) writes:

>Steve, I have a hard time understanding your last sentence. In other
>words, how can "keeping up with the skygods" make you dump low????

How about those rules at Zepherhills? NO LOW PULLS!!!!  It says so right
on the side of the manifest building, or at least it used to. That's 
ridiculous. Rules or not, if I get low I'm going to pull. They can
get as mad as they want about it.

Bob Church
D-8195 NFS #27



-- 
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*    bob church                             *
*    bchurch.oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu           *
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Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: rwheeler@tmax3.enet.dec.com (Rob Wheeler)
Subject: Re: paragliding,skydiving and hang-gliding
Reply-To: rwheeler@tmax3.enet.dec.com (Rob Wheeler)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Distribution: rec.skydiving
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 92 20:15:36 GMT

In article <1992Apr16.175946.3487@mercury.cair.du.edu>, tjreynol@zephyr.cair.du.edu (The Jumpin Dude) writes:
|>Path: pa.dec.com!decwrl!mips!spool.mu.edu!uunet!mnemosyne.cs.du.edu!mercury.cair.du.edu!news
|>From: tjreynol@zephyr.cair.du.edu (The Jumpin Dude)
|>Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
|>Subject: Re: paragliding,skydiving and hang-gliding
|>Message-ID: <1992Apr16.175946.3487@mercury.cair.du.edu>
|>In article <2058@ra.nrl.navy.mil> kim@i5160e.nrl.navy.mil (Ellis Kim) writes:
|>>
|>>So i thought why not combine those two.  Can one skydive with a paraglider?
|>>enjoy the freefall and then after having pulled the chute, go soaring for
|>>an hour or so?
|>
|>NO WAY
|>
|>You would destroy the paraglider and yourself.
|>
|>>
|>>
|>>--- Ellis
|>>-- 
|>
|>tim
|>

Maybe to make this a little more clear... The paraglider and parachutes that
skydivers use look similar but they are not quite the same.  What Tim was
saying was the paraglider would not be able to withstand the opening at
terminal velocity (probably any velocity for that matter).  Sounds like a 
cool idea though!

-R
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: tjreynol@zephyr.cair.du.edu (The Jumpin Dude)
Subject: Re: paragliding,skydiving and hang-gliding
Organization: University of Denver
Distribution: rec.skydiving
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 92 21:37:32 GMT

i think flying the canopy is half the fun; i'd stay up all day if i couldm,
one of these days i'll take up some paragliding lessons,

i'm wondering, has anyone stayed up under a regular parachute for any 
good length of time?
on my 3rd static line jump, i went into half brakes after my controllability
check and gained 300' before i got scared and let my toggles up; silly me, 
i was thinking the plane was coming back for another static liner, which it
wasn't, and when i figure that out, i got scared that freefallers would crash
thru me, or that i would blow off to nebraska :-P
i've heard people say they'd gotten stuck at 1000' or 2000' or whatever
for minutes at a time, and they were trying to get down! i like it up there!
i don't wanna come down  (3 cheers for summer-time)

so, whats the longest time you've stayed up, or the most altitute you've 
gained?

tim
From: bchurch@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (Robert Church)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: AAD Question
Date: 3 Apr 92 12:19:11 GMT
Organization: Ohio University School of Art. Athens

In article <2APR199221302350@uhdvx3.dt.uh.edu> 0632cs03@uhdvx3.dt.uh.edu (Andy Calistrat) writes:

>Each deployed their mains, but ALL SIX AADs began to fire.  They all
>found themselves under main canopies and struggling to smother their
>reserves.  Kent and all the team landed uneventfully with a good, if
>somewhat unusual story.

>Question:  Does this incident make you more or less likely to use an
>           AAD personally?

I think that I can safely make the following prediction. Those who
dislike AADs will see this as incontroversial proof that AADs create
more danger than they eliminate and therefore are not a good idea.
Those who like AADs will see this as incontroversial proof that AADs
are safe and should be worn by all.
Let's just hope that it continues to be up to the individual.

Bob Church
D-8195 NFS #27
bchurch@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu

 


-- 
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*    bob church                             *
*    bchurch.oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu           *
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