Hi Eric,
The weight loss diet the magazine was on had us all worried. Fortunately, since we took over, we are on a plan to pack some more pounds on it. The September issue is a first step with 25% more pages, for a total of 40. Over the coming months, subject to advertising revenues support, we will be bringing it up to 72 pages.
Regarding the technical content. We will be featuring technical articles from highly knowledgeable/experienced people such as Tom Winterhalter, Sean Welsh and Cody just to name a few. But I would also point out that there are already great technical features by highly knowledgeable/experienced people such as Jack Conrad, Jim Shepherd, Dave Galey,Tom Mason just to begin the list (not intentionally leaving anybody off, just typing fast and merely citing an example).
Some of the articles from July, August and September:
JulyWatch Out for UFO's (Unattached Flying Objects) by Jack Conrad - A good course in securing elements within the conversion that could become deadly in a panic stop situation if not secured. Obviously a very important how-to that included the technical tips on how to secure such objects.
Summer Fun! Creating a Public Address System by Jack Conrad - Not as serious of a topic as the other, but we build these things for fun too. Includes the details on how to set up the system like Jack has in his bus.
The Moment of Truth by Captain EQS - Not a technical how-to, but it was part of an informative series to help new bus nuts get their bus home for the first time. Complete with tips and suggestions.
Bus Chat - How to torque lug nuts. This regular feature is probably less interesting to the folks on these forums because it just captures one topic a month out of hundreds discussed here. But based on subscription activity, I have concluded that 75% of the magazine's readers are not regulars on any forum. Many of them don't use the Internet at all, while others only use it for email. So Chad picks one topic per month from the forum, cleans it up a bit to focus on the question and the answers and publishes it in the magazine (now with credits to the contributing forum members). And that can be very technically informative to many of our readers.
Control Freak by Craig Crevier - A discussion in automation systems to control house systems and bus mechanical systems. Not everybody's cup of tea, but it is enough to make some of us techie people drool.
And all of that was in a skinny issue of the magazine!
August
RV Fire Safety by Windsor Fire and Rescue - That would be the how to use a fire extinguisher article. But it is also a guide on important knowledge needed to survive RV fires and tips on safety routines to help prevent such fires in the first place. In my opinion that information is of critical importance for bus nuts to learn. If in doubt read this:
http://swaimquest.com/Coach_Fire.aspx The life changing story of how this:
became this:
in 13 minutes.
All the money and work you put into a conversion can be gone in minutes. Worse yet, the lives of you, your loved ones and/or your beloved pets could be lost.
I apologize for digressing here, I just feel that it is vital to note the importance of that topic.
You Are Not Superman! by Captain EQS - Another installment of tips on getting the bus home that first time. Sure, it isn't technical, but a new bus owner can't work on it if they don't get it home. And if they do get it home but experience excessive hardship or tragedy in the process, that can well be the end of the dream before it really even gets started.
Bus Bling ... Stainless Steel Polishing by Grant Goold - Now here is an absolute how-to technical feature. Most bus nuts that have buses with lots of the nice fluted stainless steel are going to have to do this before it is "nice".
Converting A Bus Radiator Fill System to Automotive Components by Jim Shepherd - Another true technical how-to article that covers in great detail exactly how to do it.
Bus Chat - Dim 24v headlights - Another one that came from the forums but is fresh to 75% of our readers and possibly useful to quite a few of them. At the very least knowledge to absorb and refer to when helping another bus nut.
And all that was in another skinny issue of BCM.
And now ... weighing in 25% heavier, September!
Antifreeze Requirements for Detroit Diesel and Other Heavy Duty Diesel Engines by Jim Shepherd - Very technical, very informative and very important if you would rather avoid spending $15K - $20K on an engine rebuild brought on by saving money on antifreeze.
A Heart Braking Tale by Dave Galey - A story from Dave Galey that clearly and engagingly demonstrates the importance of properly adjusting your air brakes.
This Should Have Been Easy by Tom Mason - A detailed how-to story about finding and correcting moisture damage in bus walls and floors and finding/fixing the leaks that caused it.
Electric Wiper Motors and Wet Arm Washers by Jack Conrad - Another great detailed how-to article on how to change from air wiper/washer systems to electric. Something most bus nuts end up wanting to do at some point.
And all of that is just getting started on technical features while we are still "underweight". Just weight (pardon the pun) until it really gets in shape and is the 300 pound Gorilla pounding knowledge into your brain.
But that isn't all that Bus Conversions Magazine is about. It isn't just a how to work on it text book. It is also about enjoying it as you do the work or after you have it mostly done (they are never "done"). So we have articles covering great bus trips, rallies, funny stories by people able to laugh at themselves, and of course the monthly centerfold feature that generally includes the story of the conversion and use of that bus by its proud bus nut owner.
Wow!, when you look at it like that, I'm pretty danged proud to be a small part of this thing. My thanks go out to the authors that put so much effort into writing the articles and to Chad for his hard work planning, coordinating and laying out and proof reading each issue. And to the subscribers, like you Eric, that have subscribed and continue to subscribe and advertisers that have had the vision and confidence to stick with us. All of these people are what make it all possible.
I don't want to rain on the parade as I am excited when a new issue comes, but I have noticed several things in the last year.
1. The issues get thinner and thinner. At the current rate a flyer may be the next step?
2. There is a BIGGGG drop in the number of techinical writing that can be helpful. I already know how to use a fire ext. (Keep in mind I am not trying to be rude. It was informative.)
3. I thought the intent of the mag. was to help builders of their own conversion with tech articles and pictures for the do it yourselfers. The most techinical picture I saw on the centerfold was of a couple guys shoving a couch through a window?
I think my three year scrip. is up soon. I will probably renew anyway. After all I have a book case I built in the bathroom for that important reading that has room for several more years worth!!!!
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