hans14914

Hey guys. I have been getting some well deserved flack about the lack of development and progress reports on some of my past projects. They are still crawling along, I promise.

Not that I am one to wallow in any self pity, but I have gone through some pretty rough times in the past several months. Katie, whom many of you know, and has been as active a part of the 928 community with me since 2003 decided that she had better things in front of her with a clean start in Atlanta. It was sudden, unexpected, and unplanned (for me). Shortly before she made the decision, I was trying hard to dial back on extracurricular activities, and see if I could mend things. I guess it was too little, too late. She still remains one of the best people I have ever known, and I hope you all join me in wishing her well with the next chapter of her life.

So, where does that leave me now. All my financial responsibilities have remained the same, but household income has been drastically reduced. While I assumed I would have more time to dedicate to projects, quite the opposite has been true. It seems as though the only luck I have had of recent is the bad variety, and between home repairs and car repairs, I haven't had much time for anything in the past couple weeks. Things appear to finally be on an upswing, and I really hope to be back to work soon.

In the future, I will need to be more careful and selective with projects. I honestly just cant afford to subsidize development costs like I used to. I can honestly say that I have yet to break even on any of the projects I have taken on, and moving forward, I am going to have to start changing that. I still absolutely love this community, and plan to continue to contribute, but it may be at a slower pace or just perhaps larger and possibly profitable projects.

There are a couple people who's orders are still outstanding. I truly appreciate your patience, and I am almost caught-up, and would expect that everything will be brought current in the next couple days. I am waiting for a delivery of foam, which was lost in shipping, to assembly the last couple outstanding Sharkwoofer orders. Again, thanks for your guys support and understanding.

So, now onto the important bit. Whats in the queue:

1. Rear speakers for the 84+ cars. These have actually been ordered, and I have paid the first installment, second is due next week, and third when they land here in the states, which should be very soon. These are sister drivers to those used in the front doors, and have the same carbon fiber cone, slim neodymium motor structures with copper shorting rings... etc. I currently do *not* have grills made for these. they do fit inside the factory 84-88 square grills, but installation in the 89+ requires modification to the original housings. Grills are something that I have discussed with one vendor, and may happen, but it something I can not afford to fiance at this time.

2. OB speakers (77-83, and some later euros). I have had designs on hand since November last year for OB speakers, just haven't found the time to finish them up. I am cutting adapters tonight to test two versions. I have identified two high quality, but affordable full-range drivers that should fit in the original location with a machined adapter plate. I hope to send these out for evaluation tomorrow. These could go into "production" as early as next week pending fitment tests and auditioning.

3. Automatic shift-*****. I have a plug 90% done for an automatic shift ****, and it is so close its frustrating. Every evening I have had free either something important in my house or on my car has broken and/or it has been raining or under 50degrees so the filler or resin wouldn't set because of humidity or temperature. If this weekend is clear, the plug will be finished.

4. Climate. This is one of those things that I have just "wasted" so much time and money on, I just really dont even have the motivation sometimes to mess with. It needs to be finished, and I will get around to it. There is a local guy in our 928 club who has agreed to help me with the code, and so I need to reclaim some of my prototypes from previous "coders" to get it up and running. I do have a new version of the circuits, something I would call an easy code version, but all those lines make the board layout a total pain, and it may even have to be a 4-layer board.... which is kind of a non-option for something so darn simple. My commitment is to have a meeting with the generous local 928 friendly coder in the next 10 days and start working on that again.

5. Carputer. The carputer is for all intensive purposes done. I have the screens selected, all the brackets are done, its just waiting on the final cut paths, which will be dictated by the climate control module. So, from the minute the climate is finalized, carputer could be updated and ready to go within the week. I even have the material in stock to cut about 15 of them out.

I will say in full disclosure that I do have a one big project cooking. It is going to be something that will not be publicly discussed until its done, but I am shooting for it to be completed either prior to OCIC or for an OCIC debut. This may slow development of somethings, but it has the opportunity to make me a couple bucks, and quite honestly, I kind of need that right now. Plus, I am sure you all will be quite excited about it when its released anyhow.

That about wraps it up. Looking forward to kicking off the 928 season at Rod's place, so if you cant make it out to SITM and are in the Midwest, consider coming out to Sharks in Nowhere. Hopefully I will have shift ***** and OB speakers available for show, and some of the veteran items in case you haven't had a chance to see them. Sill kits should be back in stock by then as well.

Thanks guys,
Hans

hacker-pschorr

Lorelei and I wish Katie the best, if you need to get away you know our door (and garage) are open.

Door panel is still apart in the 81 if you need a test dummie.

If this is the shift lever / beer keg dispenser idea I gave you last year, I expect my cut!!!!!

Gary Knox

Hans,

I extend my sincere condolences, and my prayers for you to move through the recovery process, and find the right road for your happiness and joy in life as you move forward. I am SO sorry to hear of Katies departure from your life. I am very pleased to hear your continued belief in Katie as a wonderful woman, and I wish her happiness.

I've been through the divorce situation my self - about 30 years ago - and life changes dramatically, as you already know. Find someone to talk to that you can share your feelings with - either a professional, or someone who's judgement and confidence you trust completely. There will be many very stressful days, interspersed with some good ones. As you get a better handle on things, the good days will progressively increase.

My advice - that I received from a very knowledgeable professional counselor was to take "relationships" slow. Take time to recover and be a complete person in yourself - whatever it is that "Hans" is supposed to be. He felt it was OK to start interacting with women again after about a year, but was adamantly opposed to it before that time.

Following his advice, and after ~7 years of being single, I married again to a woman I'd dated for ~4 years, and this relationship is everything I'd hoped for in a complete partnership marriage. Nineteen years and counting!!!

Again, I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, and wish you the very best. You've been a major contributor to the 928 community in the past few years, and I'm sure your life WILL get better in the future.

Gary--

Randy V

Katie doesn't sound to have been very supportive. Probably for the best.

Champagne

Randy, you are one of kind as usual.

Hans, what you just did took a lot guts and it will be very helpful. I know first hand that you have been more resilient than most during this difficult period. But I'm happy to decided to share, as I was running out of ways to explain without divulging anything

You are on the right path my friend. It just takes time.

Paul

SeanR

Keep the head up buddy. Things are getting better and with as many irons as you have in the fire, it will take some time but they will pan out.

blown 87

You guys are going to like what is coming.

fbarnhill

Hans, When everything goes south, and believe me I know, (Cancer, arthitis etc..) and bills start to pile up, sometimes all we can do is look at it and say that things can only get better from here. You are a genious and that can't be taken from you by anyone or any single event. Do what you can for us but please remember to keep some time for yourself. Sometimes, the best answer is just NO. It is hard for someone so nice as you to say but if you don't, you will find you have no time of your self.

Best of luck and all God's blessings on you and Katie

ashmason

Thanks for the update Hans, very much appreciated. But no fair on the teaser!

Speedtoys

We're with ya Hans.


What you do..doesn't need done twice or fixed..so the wait's always worth it.

Speedtoys

What..more legroom?

blown 87

It is not leg room she needs.

BC

We are getting a bit ot, but...Import Hans, Import.

I couldn't for the life of me STAND any women from our own country. They were brought up with unrealistic expectations of what life means, as well as many other things. And marriage day was the utmost, all after being a downward dredge into non-sexuality.

So I imported. British.

Anyway. If you needed a vacation we have a spare room here in San Diego. I'm sure you could find some foreigners here.

robot808

Wow, Hans. I am very sorry to hear about this. Wishing the best for both of you.

blown 87

Screw the foreign girls, Hans needs a big titted girl.