Things have been very quiet here lately. I was wondering what type of projects
everyone is currently working on. At the moment I don't have much of anything
radio related happening and have been busy with day to day life type of things. I guess the closest thing to anything radio like is that I am back into the world of podcasts now that I have to be in the office more and more. Anyone know of any good radio related podcasts? I know Ham Nation puts out an audio version, anything else out there?

--- Zeus BBS 1.5
* Origin: CIA AMIGA BBS - ciaamigabbs.dynu.net:6400 (432:1/147.0)

Things have been very quiet here lately. I was wondering what type of projects everyone is currently working on. At the moment I don't have much of anything radio related happening and have been busy with day to day life type of things. I guess the closest thing to anything radio
like is that I am back into the world of podcasts now that I have to be in the office more and more. Anyone know of any good radio related podcasts? I know Ham Nation puts out an audio version, anything else
out there?

First, HamNation was the first thing that I thought of, although my
schedule doesn't permit me to listen to it. So, if I have free time (two
nasty four letter words -- work is another one <G>), I can go listen to an archived one. I used to listen to ARRL Audio News, but haven't done that
in years...I prefer Amateur Radio Newsline now.

As for projects, nothing new. The contractors are rebuilding the bathroom
at the QTH after a plumbing incident 4 months ago. Then, I'm still dealing with the effects of a car wreck (not my fault) 6 1/2 months ago. So, 2021
has NOT been a good year for me. My health has gotten so that besides not
being able to afford travel outside of central Arkansas (for hamfests or otherwise), is that my health won't permit. The arthritis throughout my
body, and the degenerative disk disease in my spine, have taken its toll.

Hobby wise, I still do work on the BBS...run ham radio nets 4 days a
week (I maintain spreadsheets in the 4 main US Time Zones of selected
D-Star, Echolink, and D-Rats Nets -- you can get these from the hyperlink
off my bio on QRZ)...and take care of the website and monthly publication
for the Arkansas State Square Dance Federation. There are "dancing hams"...
and the National Square Dance Convention (NSDC) is usually on Field Day Weekend.

I always had my HT with me (I was first licensed 30 years ago), and we
would pick an out of the way simplex frequency (such as 144.950, where
no one would bother us), and we'd decide where to square dance, eat,
sightsee, etc. But, one year, the last night of the NSDC, the security
guard at the hotel assaulted our shuttle bus driver, and I used ham radio
to save his life. When the fellow dancers on the bus said that, I replied
"This is what ham radio operators prepare for...emergency communications".

I used to do a precursor to the Arkansas Skywarn Weather Nets, called
"The Weather Watch Net", run from the QTH. In Arkansas, we're in the east
end of Tornado Alley, and the west end of Dixie Alley, so we get it both barrels. And, unfortunately, much of that occurs between sunset and
sunrise. One night, I was up all night doing one of those nets. A tornado
had hit the community of Atkins, Arkansas (where the pickles were made),
around 1:30am, and I had been on the air for over an hour already. Around
3am, one ham came on, and said "Every time there's bad weather in the
area, you're on here. Don't you ever sleep??!!". Sarcastically, I replied
"No. Next Question"...then started laughing before I unkeyed the microphone
(hi hi).

One Thursday night, a half hour before a local club regular traffic
net was to take place, I got a phone call from the Club Vice President,
who chaired up Arkansas Skywarn. He said that the National Weather
Service had contacted him with an activation request, because tornadic thunderstorms were moving into the local county warning area (CWA). I
was asked if I could start "The Weather Watch Net", until they got
operators out to the National Weather Service (this was long before COVID-19)...and, I said "Sure".

So, I began the net...and this one elderly ham (who went bad senile
after his wife died...he's now a Silent Key), went ballistic. He was
expecting (and wanting) the regular club traffic net...but to me,
tornado warnings are far more important than routine traffic. I tried
to explain to him that the National Weather Service had requested this,
but he would have none of that. Thankfully, the Club President was also
on the repeater, and I said "Tell him!!". That made the old guy even
angrier. So, every time I got on that repeater, he interfered with me,
as if holding a grudge. There are 3 clubs in the Little Rock area, but
they still hold constant bickering over "who does severe weather operations better".

I finally had enough, and quit doing weather related stuff 2 1/2 years ago (even though Skywarn was what got me into ham radio 30 years ago). Now, my emphasis is railroad crossing safety; I did a poem and a PSA for Operation Lifesaver years ago on that, at https://www.theweatherwonder.com/rxr.htm

Ironically, I do the Trains And Railroads Net on the QuadNet Array
every Friday night at 8pm US Eastern Time -- go to openquad.net for
connection options on D-Star, DMR, WIRES-X, and Fusion. We discuss
anything and everything about trains and railroading...and have a
railroad trivia question. First time checkins are eligible for a
commemorative certificate, upon email request to The Conductor (yours
truly).

My alternate phonetics stand for "Whistled Crossings For Quiet
Zones". Some railroads use W for the grade crossing warning sign,
and others use X. QZ stands for Quiet Zone, where the train horn
is not sounded, unless they're meeting a train on a parallel track,
there's a Maintenance Of Way crew doing track work, or in case of
an emergency (someone tries to beat the train at the crossing).

Daryl, WX4QZ

... "Mount your horses, men!!" "We're not that lonely, sir!!"
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

Hiya Daryl,

I always wanted to get a DV Dongle to check out D-Star, but never have. I've got too many things I don't have the time to mess with as it is, I really should not be adding to the list.

I never thought about Amateur Radio Newsline, I bet they put out some kind of podcast. I need to re-stock my supply of them since I'm going through quite a lot of them at work. If I spot any good radio related ones I will pass them along on here in case anyone is interested in the future.

I always have a lot of projects I would like to work on, but you know how it goes, by the time the weekend hits there are things that need to be done and by
the time that is done a lot of the time motivation is gone at that point. Maybe I'm just getting old. ;)

I guess at this point in my life is when you think "Maybe in @#$@#$&*$# years when/if I retire I can then" knowing full well that it probably won't happen because you won't be able to by that point or won't be able to afford it. Urgh, that's depressing. Remind me not to think of that again.




On Tuesday July 20, 2021, Daryl Stout said to Sbaitso...

First, HamNation was the first thing that I thought of, although my schedule doesn't permit me to listen to it. So, if I have free time
(two nasty four letter words -- work is another one <G>), I can go
listen to an archived one. I used to listen to ARRL Audio News, but haven't done that in years...I prefer Amateur Radio Newsline now.

As for projects, nothing new. The contractors are rebuilding the bathroom at the QTH after a plumbing incident 4 months ago. Then, I'm still dealing with the effects of a car wreck (not my fault) 6 1/2
months ago. So, 2021 has NOT been a good year for me. My health has
gotten so that besides not being able to afford travel outside of
central Arkansas (for hamfests or otherwise), is that my health won't permit. The arthritis throughout my body, and the degenerative disk disease in my spine, have taken its toll.

Hobby wise, I still do work on the BBS...run ham radio nets 4 days a week (I maintain spreadsheets in the 4 main US Time Zones of selected D-Star, Echolink, and D-Rats Nets -- you can get these from the
hyperlink off my bio on QRZ)...and take care of the website and monthly publication for the Arkansas State Square Dance Federation. There are "dancing hams"... and the National Square Dance Convention (NSDC) is usually on Field Day Weekend.

I always had my HT with me (I was first licensed 30 years ago), and
we would pick an out of the way simplex frequency (such as 144.950,
where no one would bother us), and we'd decide where to square dance,
eat, sightsee, etc. But, one year, the last night of the NSDC, the security guard at the hotel assaulted our shuttle bus driver, and I
used ham radio to save his life. When the fellow dancers on the bus
said that, I replied "This is what ham radio operators prepare for...emergency communications".

I used to do a precursor to the Arkansas Skywarn Weather Nets, called "The Weather Watch Net", run from the QTH. In Arkansas, we're in the
east end of Tornado Alley, and the west end of Dixie Alley, so we get
it both barrels. And, unfortunately, much of that occurs between sunset and sunrise. One night, I was up all night doing one of those nets. A tornado had hit the community of Atkins, Arkansas (where the pickles
were made), around 1:30am, and I had been on the air for over an hour already. Around 3am, one ham came on, and said "Every time there's bad weather in the area, you're on here. Don't you ever sleep??!!". Sarcastically, I replied "No. Next Question"...then started laughing before I unkeyed the microphone (hi hi).

One Thursday night, a half hour before a local club regular traffic
net was to take place, I got a phone call from the Club Vice President, who chaired up Arkansas Skywarn. He said that the National Weather
Service had contacted him with an activation request, because tornadic thunderstorms were moving into the local county warning area (CWA). I
was asked if I could start "The Weather Watch Net", until they got operators out to the National Weather Service (this was long before COVID-19)...and, I said "Sure".

So, I began the net...and this one elderly ham (who went bad senile after his wife died...he's now a Silent Key), went ballistic. He was expecting (and wanting) the regular club traffic net...but to me,
tornado warnings are far more important than routine traffic. I tried
to explain to him that the National Weather Service had requested this, but he would have none of that. Thankfully, the Club President was also
on the repeater, and I said "Tell him!!". That made the old guy even angrier. So, every time I got on that repeater, he interfered with me,
as if holding a grudge. There are 3 clubs in the Little Rock area, but they still hold constant bickering over "who does severe weather operations better".

I finally had enough, and quit doing weather related stuff 2 1/2
years ago (even though Skywarn was what got me into ham radio 30 years ago). Now, my emphasis is railroad crossing safety; I did a poem and a
PSA for Operation Lifesaver years ago on that, at https://www.theweatherwonder.com/rxr.htm

Ironically, I do the Trains And Railroads Net on the QuadNet Array
every Friday night at 8pm US Eastern Time -- go to openquad.net for connection options on D-Star, DMR, WIRES-X, and Fusion. We discuss anything and everything about trains and railroading...and have a
railroad trivia question. First time checkins are eligible for a commemorative certificate, upon email request to The Conductor (yours truly).

My alternate phonetics stand for "Whistled Crossings For Quiet
Zones". Some railroads use W for the grade crossing warning sign, and others use X. QZ stands for Quiet Zone, where the train horn is not sounded, unless they're meeting a train on a parallel track, there's a Maintenance Of Way crew doing track work, or in case of an emergency (someone tries to beat the train at the crossing).

Daryl, WX4QZ

... "Mount your horses, men!!" "We're not that lonely, sir!!"
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52

--- Zeus BBS 1.5
* Origin: CIA AMIGA BBS - ciaamigabbs.dynu.net:6400 (432:1/147.0)

I always wanted to get a DV Dongle to check out D-Star, but never have.
I've got too many things I don't have the time to mess with as it is,
I really should not be adding to the list.

I would recommend you instead go for the ThumbDV from Northwest Digital Radio. It's $80 cheaper than the DV Dongle, and it can do a lot more, especially with the BlueDV program done by PA7LIM. In the current version,
you can do D-Star, DMR, and Fusion, with just your computer...no rig needed.

I never thought about Amateur Radio Newsline, I bet they put out some
kind of podcast. I need to re-stock my supply of them since I'm going through quite a lot of them at work. If I spot any good radio related ones I will pass them along on here in case anyone is interested in the future.

Offhand, I'm not sure if they done...but full info is on their website at www.arnewsline.org

the time that is done a lot of the time motivation is gone at that
point. Maybe I'm just getting old. ;)

You're not the only one -- Welcome to the Decrepit Old F@r+$ Net (hi hi).

I guess at this point in my life is when you think "Maybe in @#$@#$&*$# years when/if I retire I can then" knowing full well that it probably won't happen because you won't be able to by that point or won't be
able to afford it. Urgh, that's depressing. Remind me not to think of that again.

I refer to the ham radio catalogs (HRO, DX Engineering, etc.) as PORN... because the prices are so nasty. Basically, if it says CALL/WEB, better be looking for something else...or be prepared to open your wallet wide
(hi hi).

Daryl, WX4QZ

... I CQ. Therefore, I HAM. -- DE WX4QZ
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

On Tuesday July 27, 2021, Daryl Stout said to Sbaitso...

I would recommend you instead go for the ThumbDV from Northwest
Digital Radio. It's $80 cheaper than the DV Dongle, and it can do a lot more, especially with the BlueDV program done by PA7LIM. In the current version, you can do D-Star, DMR, and Fusion, with just your
computer...no rig needed.

I wasn't aware of ThumbDV, I will have to take a look at it. It's so much cheaper than a full rig, but it is still amazing how much it runs when you think about what you're actually buying.

Offhand, I'm not sure if they done...but full info is on their
website at www.arnewsline.org

I took a look and they do put out a podcast version. It's on my "to listen to"
list. It's a long list so I'm not sure when I will get there.

You're not the only one -- Welcome to the Decrepit Old F@r+$ Net (hi hi).

Well THAT'S depressing!!! ;)

I refer to the ham radio catalogs (HRO, DX Engineering, etc.) as
PORN... because the prices are so nasty. Basically, if it says
CALL/WEB, better be looking for something else...or be prepared to open your wallet wide (hi hi).

At least the cost of BBSing went down over the years. I can still discover new places and people without a bunch of gear.

--- Zeus BBS 1.5
* Origin: CIA AMIGA BBS - ciaamigabbs.dynu.net:6400 (432:1/147.0)

I wasn't aware of ThumbDV, I will have to take a look at it. It's so
much cheaper than a full rig, but it is still amazing how much it runs when you think about what you're actually buying.

Most ham radio operators are what I call "frugal cheapskates". Ironically, I've seen them lay out a $100 bill or two at a big hamfest to buy a "brick"
of 250 prize tickets. Of course, if you win the grand prize, you got more
than your investment back, by selling the rig. But, it makes those like
myself who spend only $20, at a disadvantage. Yet, it only takes one ticket
to win...and it's the luck of the draw. Or, they'll go out and spend big
bucks for a ham radio rig...and won't bat an eye.

Yet, they are screaming about the soon coming $35 fee for amateur radio operators in the US and its territories, to get a new, renewed, or upgraded license...or change their callsign (sequential or vanity). I heard one country's ham radio license fee is $500 for its term. I don't recall the country, but if that's true, $35 is a bargin. Yet, I've heard many swearing
up and down that they will quit the hobby when their license expires.

As of August 3, 2021...it has not shown up in the Federal Register...and
it will have to be there at least 30 days before it takes effect. I'll bet there'll be a lot of applications for callsign changes or licenses (new or upgraded) before then. One can't renew until from 90 days before, to 2 years after expiration.

I took a look and they do put out a podcast version. It's on my "to listen to"
list. It's a long list so I'm not sure when I will get there.

So many things are on podcasts now...and there are phone apps for it.

You're not the only one -- Welcome to the Decrepit Old F@r+$ Net (hi hi).

Well THAT'S depressing!!! ;)

Especially since I'm now a heart patient. I had to be ambulatory to a
local hospital July 29, and was hospitalized until August 1. I was diagnosed with atrial flutter...the heart rate was 155. Two injections of medicine in
the IV didn't work, so they put me on a cardio drip. I now take a blood
thinner twice a day, and this other pill to stabilize the heart rate and
the blood pressure. I see my cardiologist this afternoon, and pacemaker
surgery may be needed. I just hope I don't have to give up using things
like the microwave oven, computer, and cellphones...let alone driving.
But, if these come to fruition, I have to sell the car, and that will
also cut me off from the outside world, and out of my hobbies.

At least the cost of BBSing went down over the years. I can still discover new places and people without a bunch of gear.

Especially in relation to hardware and software. But, at times, the commercialware can be pretty steep. However, if you can get a license
for more than one computer for the same key, that makes it more palatable.

Daryl, WX4QZ

... Side Effects Of This Medicine may include Death.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

Hi Sbaitso!

17 Jul 2021 14:22, from Sbaitso -> All:

Things have been very quiet here lately.
At the moment I don't have much of anything radio related happening

Same here.

Pretty much to do with other topics.

I bought a HackRF Portapack, but had very little time to "play" with it.

CU, Ricsi

... Don't believe any false rumors unless you hear them from me.
--- GoldED+/LNX
* Origin: Wanna come to the gym with me? You misspelled "pub"! (432:1/105)

Hi Sbaitso!

23 Jul 2021 22:03, from Sbaitso -> Daryl Stout:

SEEN-BY: 1/100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 115
116 117
SEEN-BY: 1/118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 132 133
134 135
SEEN-BY: 1/136 137 138 139 140 141 142 144 145 147 148 149 151 154 155
156 157
SEEN-BY: 1/159
@PATH: 1/147 100

Those mails reached me 1 month late.
Was the issue on my side??
If yes I am not aware of it.

CU, Ricsi

... Wait until it is night before saying it has been a fine day.
--- GoldED+/LNX
* Origin: Are you ABSOLUTELY SURE about this *.*? (432:1/105)

Let me know how it goes when you get a chance to take a look at it.


On Monday August 30, 2021, Richard Menedetter said to Sbaitso...

Same here.

Pretty much to do with other topics.

I bought a HackRF Portapack, but had very little time to "play" with
it.

--- Zeus BBS 1.5
* Origin: CIA AMIGA BBS - ciaamigabbs.dynu.net:6400 (432:1/147.0)

Sorry, no clue. I have no idea how any of the message network transfers work, all I know is that I post and hopefully it makes it to others so they can respond. ;)

Anyone out there that can take a look?


On Monday August 30, 2021, Richard Menedetter said to Sbaitso...

Those mails reached me 1 month late. Was the issue on my side?? If yes
I am not aware of it.

--- Zeus BBS 1.5
* Origin: CIA AMIGA BBS - ciaamigabbs.dynu.net:6400 (432:1/147.0)

On 09-04-21 10:20, Sbaitso wrote to Richard Menedetter <=-

Sorry, no clue. I have no idea how any of the message network
transfers work, all I know is that I post and hopefully it makes it to others so they can respond. ;)

Anyone out there that can take a look?

probably a stuck semaphore at the hub. I've had burnout and things have largely been on autopilot of late. But I'm on the comeback trail. :)


... If you're thinking what I'm thinking, you need professional help.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
* Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (432:1/101)

On Fri, 17 Dec 2021 19:50:00 +1100
"Vk3jed" <vk3jed@432:1/101> wrote:

On 09-04-21 10:20, Sbaitso wrote to Richard Menedetter <=-

Sorry, no clue. I have no idea how any of the message network
transfers work, all I know is that I post and hopefully it makes
it to others so they can respond. ;)

Anyone out there that can take a look?

probably a stuck semaphore at the hub. I've had burnout and things
have largely been on autopilot of late. But I'm on the comeback
trail. :)

Does that mean I won't have to wait over 2 weeks for an areafix request
to come back?
--
End Of The Line BBS - Plano, TX
telnet endofthelinebbs.com 23
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (432:1/128)

On 12-17-21 22:37, Nelgin wrote to All <=-

On Fri, 17 Dec 2021 19:50:00 +1100
"Vk3jed" <vk3jed@432:1/101> wrote:

On 09-04-21 10:20, Sbaitso wrote to Richard Menedetter <=-

Sorry, no clue. I have no idea how any of the message network transfers work, all I know is that I post and hopefully it makes
it to others so they can respond. ;)

Anyone out there that can take a look?

probably a stuck semaphore at the hub. I've had burnout and things
have largely been on autopilot of late. But I'm on the comeback
trail. :)

Does that mean I won't have to wait over 2 weeks for an areafix request
to come back?

Not while I'm around to keep an eye on things. I'll also look around for an upgrade for Mystic.


... Celery farmers play the stalk market.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
* Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (432:1/101)

It happens, it can be tough staying motivated all the time especially when usage drops or the only feedback is negative. Good to hear that you are getting back in the saddle and hoping things turn around soon.


On Friday December 17, 2021, Vk3jed said to Sbaitso...

On 09-04-21 10:20, Sbaitso wrote to Richard Menedetter <=-

Sorry, no clue. I have no idea how any of the message network
transfers work, all I know is that I post and hopefully it makes it to
others so they can respond. ;)

Anyone out there that can take a look?

probably a stuck semaphore at the hub. I've had burnout and things have largely been on autopilot of late. But I'm on the comeback trail. :)

... If you're thinking what I'm thinking, you need professional help.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52

--- Zeus BBS 1.5
* Origin: CIA AMIGA BBS - ciaamigabbs.dynu.net:6400 (432:1/147.0)

On 12-30-21 14:03, Sbaitso wrote to Vk3jed <=-

It happens, it can be tough staying motivated all the time especially
when usage drops or the only feedback is negative. Good to hear that
you are getting back in the saddle and hoping things turn around soon.

Yeah, think I'm back for a long while. Just easing back into things. It wasn't due to something going wrong on the BBSs, was a bit more complex than that. I have a soft spot for BBSing, so it was just a matter of time before I came back. :)



... Remember, you don't have to be smart to be a Sysop.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
* Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (432:1/101)

Hi Sbaitso!

04 Sep 2021 10:19, from Sbaitso -> Richard Menedetter:

Let me know how it goes when you get a chance to take a look at it.

I bought a HackRF Portapack, but had very little time to "play"
with it.

1 quarter later, still no time :/
But compared to how weak the microcontroller that is bundled with it is, it can
really do interesting things ...

CU, Ricsi

... Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die!
--- GoldED+/LNX
* Origin: Fear sells copies, moves product, and gets votes. (432:1/105)