Dial POPCORN for time

[AntsUiga]

Back in the 80’s for the race committee, it was useful to coordinate time with the racers. Digital watches were available, but with variable accuracy. Laptops had not been invented yet.

In Northern California, the time was available by telephone, if you dialed P - O - P - C - O - R - N. At the sound of the beep, a recording gave the time at 20 second interval ( or thereabouts).

Kinda of fun to note how some things have changed!

Ants

 

[Wylieguy]

Ah yes! Those "GOOD OLD DAYS!" The '70s AND the '80s. Calling POPCORN just when leaving home for the boat, getting the second hand more or less at "60" before punching the winding knob back in. The stop watch for start times when the "puff" appeared from the Committee Boat's 12-gauge. Race results several days later published in the "SF Chron's" Sporting Green, thanks Kimball. Or mailed out by the club or YRA, still several days later. That annual YRA packet with all the NORs and other info. Linda and Lynda putting stacks of NORs on the table at the YRA Office as we walked around and around picking up a copy of each NOR to be stuffed in the envelope. Buying and installing the crystals for the YRA VHF channels when some clubs began using the radio for on-water communication. Land-line Fleet/Club telephone "trees" for communication about races and meetings . A call to or from Santa Rosa to the Bay Area was long distance.

And most of all for the SSS, the Mill Valley Post Office box and Shama's office phone number.