The following is from Steven Reiners, KC9SIO, Net Control for both
the Illinois D-Star Net, and the KB0ZSG International D-Star Net.

1) The Illinois D-Star Net, which meets on Wednesdays, at 10pm
Eastern, 9pm Central, 8pm Mountain, and 7pm Pacific Time, is
MOVING from REF 1B to REF 51D, effective with the July 22, 2020
net.

Many hams had been "parking their hotspots" on REF 1, and as a
result, they were getting banned from the reflector. So, after
research, Steven has decided to MOVE the Illinois D-Star Net
from REF 1B to REF 51D -- effective on July 22, 2020.

2) For now, the KB0ZSG International D-Star Net (in memory of
the late Connie Ballantyne, KB0ZSG (SK)), will REMAIN on REF 1C
on Sundays, at 8pm Eastern, 7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, and 5pm
Pacific Time. That net lasts several hours, and can get as many
as 150 checkins.

For further information on either of these nets, please contact
Steven Reiners, KC9SIO.

I have updated this item in the file of Selected D-Star, D-Rats,
and Echolink Nets, with links to DMR, CQ100, D-Star HF, and
HamSphere Nets. Right now, the nets are about split between
70 Echolink and 70 D-Star Nets, and some D-Rats Nets thrown in
for good measure...bringing the total to nearly 150 nets in a
given month....with daily, weekly, and monthly nets. If this
isn't enough for the "net hoppers", it never will be.

You can download this list, and other files by going to:

https://www.theweatherwonder.com/elk.htm

There is also an Excel Spreadsheet, for converting your favorite
net times to UTC Time, if that's what you operate in your shack.
You will need Microsoft Office/Excel, LibreOffice, or OpenOffice,
to work with the file.

Two things to note in this regard. First, not every ham radio
operator uses UTC Time, and many of the nets (especially those
originating in the US or its territories) operate on prevailing
local time...and that time does NOT change, no matter the time
of year.

If these nets are NOT in Arizona, Hawaii, or areas that stay on
Standard Time year round, the UTC Time for these nets will CHANGE
with the switches to and from Standard Time, and Daylight Savings
Time.

For the other files in PDF format, an appropriate PDF viewer
is required to view/print the files.

If you note any errors in the net listing (new times, or the
nets have shut down), or would like to add a net to the listing
(it needs to be D-Star, D-Rats, or Echolink...links are provided
to DMR, CQ100, D-Star HF, and Christian Related Nets), please email
me at either wx4qz@arrl.net or wx4qz@winlink.org

For more details on the nets I run, look for the file that notes
"Nets Where WX4QZ is Net Control".

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
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Do you have D-RATS installed and working, but are still looking to learn
about the interesting details beyond the basic chat capabilities?

Things such as the mapping capabilities, forms, filters, and QSTs.

If so, please send a separate email to Lew Maxwell, KB5HPT at arrl.net

The current plans are to have three or four one hour sessions to practice
the various features, especially the new ones available in the latest
release. These are very interactive exercises, so this session will be
limited to about 15 participants. Current plans are to start Friday,
July 24th, with a 7:00-8:00 PM MDT session, continuing on Saturday, July
25th from 3:00-4:00 PM MDT, and then again on Sunday, July 26th from
3:00-4:00 PM MDT. The third session on maps is fairly long, so a fourth
session the following weekend, on Sunday, August 2nd, from 3:00-4:00 PM MDT
is likely. Final details will be sent out to those registered.

If you don't have the latest version of D-RATS installed, or are new to
the program, you need to get it installed ahead of time. There are two
good places to get the distribution files.

One is at https://groups.io/g/d-rats

While the other is on the github web site.

There is one file for Windows, and another source code file for Linux installations.

On the groups.io site, you need to have an account, be logged in, and
be a member of the "d-rats" group to access the files in the folder
"D-RATS Program Files". So if needed, create an account, and then join
the d-rats group.

There are other files and folders in the file section, with helpful
reference documents as well.

The current developers are maintaining files on GitHub, browse to: https://github.com/maurizioandreotti/D-Rats/releases/tag/0.3.9

There is an installation guide as part of the distribution - look for
a Readme.md file, and a wiki on the github web site with more details.

These are the latest releases of the programs, and include many repaired features, as well as some new features. Windows 10 and Linux are well supported, and the Python source code is there if you want to try other platforms.

The original programming by Dan Smith, KK7DS, has been updated by
Maurizio Andreotti, IZ2LXI, with help from others. They have also
started a wiki on the github site, with lots of useful information.

Once you get the program installed, then just enter your call sign -
the preferences are fairly detailed, and Lew will be going over how
to set everything up.

Now, please send that email to Lew at kb5hpt@arrl.net

**

As a side note, I am running D-Rats 0.3.9 under Windows 10 64-bit.
While I don't use the "email" or Winlink features with the program
(I use my personal GMail account, and WinLink Express, respectively),
I use the program during nets, and at other times as well. Unless there
are thunderstorms in my area, or my internet/power is out, my D-Rats
setup is up all the time...look for WX4QZ.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
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We are reaching out to let you know that despite the closure of many
ham radio events, there is a great opportunity to join your fellow
hams and us at the first-ever

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo
on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 2020.

Attendance is free and registration is now open at https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com

with early bird prize incentives for registering by July 24, 2020.

Built on a live, virtual platform used by Fortune 500 companies and
major universities, this ARRL'sanctioned hamfest will let you:

! Learn from a packed line-up of 70+ world renowned ham radio speakers
such as Ward Silver, N0AX, on Grounding and Bonding; Glen Johnson, W0GJ,
on DXpeditions, and John Portune, W6NBC, on building slot antennas for
HOA.

! Listen to the amazing keynote by Dr. Scott Wright, K0MD, on COVID-19:
Amateur radio's impact on problem solving to create a global response
to the pandemic.

! Learn from a packed line-up of 70+ world renowned ham radio speakers
on a variety of topics for those new to the hobby, as well as
experienced radio amateurs.

! Hear from 6 outstanding youth, our hobby's future leaders.

! See demos of the latest ham radio equipment; ask questions, and engage
with Exhibitors through video, audio, or chat.

! Share ideas and network with your fellow hams throughout the Expo.

And, if you've never been to a Hamfest or Expo, you can participate
from the convenience of your home or office, without spending a dime
on travel!

This platform simulates a full convention experience, with an exhibit
hall and exhibit booths staffed by live attendants, speaker auditorium,
lobby, and lounges.

Go to https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/ to learn more!

Don't forget to get registered by July 24th!

We look forward to having you join us at Expo for an amazing and
engaging experience.
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Welcome to August,

Mike (KB5WBH) provided the following update of the ADEM WinLink
Communication Status yesterday 1 Aug 2020. Please make note of
this change and adjust as necessary for Emergency Communications.

*****************************************************************

As of today Winmor was removed from KB5LZK at the Arkansas Division
of Emergency Management in Little Rock. Winmor is being dropped by
Winlink. It was always going to be replaced by ARDOP and they asked
us to phase out Winmor.

The current modes that are supported at KB5LZK are Pactor I,II and
III, ARDOP and VARA.

73
Mike KB5WBH

*****************************************************************

Thank you Mike for the information.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Arkansas Section
Section Manager: James D Ferguson Jr, N5LKE
n5lke@arrl.org --------------------------------------------------------------------
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With assistance from Gary, VA3GDZ, I've now added a spreadsheet
of selected D-Star (60), D-Rats (92), and Echolink (99) Nets...to
go with the PDF files of full and compact versions of these. They
can all be downloaded at https://www.theweatherwonder.com/elk.htm

Click on the desired link to download the file. For the Excel
Spreadsheets, Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice, OpenOffice, or the
equivalent, is required. For the PDF files, the Adobe Acrobat PDF
Reader, FoxIt PDF Reader, or other appropriate PDF Reader, is
required.

Please send any additions, changes/corrections, or deletions to
either wx4qz@arrl.net or wx4qz@winlink.org

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
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FCC Proposes to Reinstate Amateur Radio Service Fees
08/28/2020

Amateur radio licensees would pay a $50 fee for each amateur radio
license application if the FCC adopts rules it proposed this week.
Included in the FCC's fee proposal are applications for new licenses,
renewal and upgrades to existing licenses, and vanity call sign
requests. Excluded are applications for administrative updates, such
as changes of address, and annual regulatory fees.

The FCC proposal is contained in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
in MD Docket 20-270, which was adopted to implement portions of the
"Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services
Act” of 2018 - the so-called "Ray Baum's Act."

The Act requires that the FCC switch from a Congressionally-mandated
fee structure to a cost-based system of assessment. In its NPRM, the
FCC proposed application fees for a broad range of services that use
the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS), including the Amateur
Radio Service that had been excluded by an earlier statute. The new
statute excludes the Amateur Service from annual regulatory fees, but
not from application fees.

"[A]pplications for personal licenses are mostly automated and do not
have individualized staff costs for data input or review," the FCC
said in its NPRM. "For these automated processes - new/major
modifications, renewal, and minor modifications- we propose a nominal application fee of $50 due to automating the processes, routine ULS maintenance, and limited instances where staff input is required."

The same $50 fee would apply to all Amateur Service applications,
including those for vanity call signs. "Although there is currently
no fee for vanity call signs in the Amateur Radio Service, we find
that such applications impose similar costs in aggregate on Commission resources as new applications and therefore propose a $50 fee," the FCC
said.

The FCC is not proposing to charge for administrative updates, such
as mailing address changes for amateur applications, and amateur radio
will remain exempt from annual regulatory fees. "For administrative
updates [and] modifications, which also are highly automated, we find
that it is in the public interest to encourage licensees to update
their [own] information without a charge," the FCC said.

The FCC also proposes to assess a $50 fee for individuals who want a
printed copy of their license. "The Commission has proposed to eliminate
these services - but to the extent the Commission does not do so, we
propose a fee of $50 to cover the costs of these services," the FCC said.

The Ray Baum's Act does not exempt filing fees in the Amateur Radio
Service. The FCC dropped assessment of fees for vanity call signs several years ago.

Deadlines for comments and reply comments will be determined once the
NPRM appears in the Federal Register. File comments by using the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), posting to MD Docket No. 20-270.
This docket is already open for accepting comments even though deadlines
have not yet been set.
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The following is from several ARRL Division Directors, and from
Courage Kenny Handi-Hams. There likely will be a similar message
on the ARRL website soon.

**

It is time to protest the imposition of fees for Amateur Radio Licensing.

The fees Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published in this morning's
Federal Register (https://tinyurl.com/yyk8f2yp). The deadline for comments
is November 16, and the Reply comment deadline is November 30.

With this in mind, I am extending the following suggestions you might
consider using in writing to the FCC in response to the NPRM. Our thanks
to Dave Siddall K3ZJ, ARRL Counsel, for these guidelines. Be sure to
carefully review the paragraphs; "Some Suggestions" as the information
therein will assist with much of the applicable background.

This subject is critical, the timing is critical. I urge you to contact
the FCC. Address and related information is contained in the article
referenced in the Federal Register. Please use your own words to express
your objections to the proposed fees.

(Good) Arguments Against FCC Fees for Radio Amateurs

Amateurs contribute to the public good. In many areas, they provide an emergency communications backbone capability at no taxpayer cost.
Consistently, we have witnessed storms and natural disasters completely
wipe out internet, cellular, and other means of communication. Radio
amateurs often fill that void on an unmatched, flexible basis when needed.
One recent example is the California wildfires.

Unlike operators in other FCC licensed services, Amateur Radio operators
by law - domestic and international -- must eschew using their license
for any pecuniary interest. Amateurs are prohibited from earning or
charging any money for any communications activity. The expenses for
their equipment and activities come out of their own pockets, with no opportunity for reimbursement or payment of any kind.

The United States is experiencing a severe lack of RF engineers and
expertise at the very time it is needed by the burgeoning wireless
industries. Amateur radio is helping to meet the deficit, but much
more is needed, and youngsters (High School and College-aged) are
least able to afford licensing fees. RF knowledge and related digital
expertise is needed to maintain U.S. leadership in wireless industries.
At a minimum, young people (below the age of 26) should be exempt from
the proposed license fees.

Amateur radio is self-regulating. (a) Amateur examinations are written
and administered by radio amateur volunteers. (b) Examination results
and paperwork most often are submitted electronically to the FCC.
Electronic submission could be required if there would be a cost savings
to the Commission. (c) Amateur radio educational classes are conducted
by volunteers who by-and-large do not charge fees or tuition for teaching.
(d) The amateur service, in cooperation with the FCC's Enforcement Bureau,
has a volunteer corps that monitors the amateur airwaves, and has programs
that try to prevent their misuse before FCC involvement might be needed.
The amateurs also observe non-amateur signals both within amateur spectrum
and outside it, and report unusual or suspicious signals.

Amateur radio continues to be a source of significant technological
innovation that should be encouraged, not discouraged.

Some Suggestions

We do not recommend arguing that the $50 fee every 10 years, which amounts
to $5.00 a year, will "Kill" amateur radio, even though as proposed, this
is for each covered application, which includes upgrade applications. Tech-General-Extra could be $150. If exams taken at different sessions, a substantial amount. But it "rings the wrong way to say the whole service
turns on $5/year for each licensee. If that's all it would take".

The Commission argues that the charges are required by the statute. The
word used is "shall", which is mandatory, not optional. But the statute
does not set the amount, nor does it prohibit reasonable exceptions -
evidenced by the Commission's proposal to exempt from fees administrative update applications based on policy grounds.

This is not "aimed at amateur radio to kill it." There is a long history
and precedent on charging fees for the licensing service involved, just
as there is for passports, green cards, drivers' licenses (issued by
states), etc. Better to make pertinent arguments on why the fees would
impair the public benefits of the amateur radio service than argue that
the whole service might die as a result of a fee that, in fact, is less
than the fee many of us paid in the 1960's and 1970's.

For background: this proceeding is being handled by staff unfamiliar
with amateur radio. It is being handled in the FCC's Office of Managing Director (OMD), not in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, where the amateur-specific Part 97 matters are handled. The focus of OMD is
accounting - budgets and the like for the entire Commission. The fee
proposals cover every FCC license and service across the board, and the consideration was directed by Congress. It is recommended keeping "ham
jargon" out of comments, it won't be understood by the intended
recipients.

Thank you.

ARRL Great Lakes Division
Director: Dale R Williams, WA8EFK
wa8efk@arrl.org

ARRL Central Division
Director: Kermit A Carlson, W9XA

Comments to the Federal Communication Commission may be filed
online at:

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings

FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) reference - posting to
MD Docket No. 20-270
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The late Connie Ballantyne, KB0ZSG (SK), started the International
D-Star Net several years ago. Tragically, she lost her valiant battle
with breast cancer in February, 2020.

Unfortunately, some nefarious individuals have either hacked or
have cloned Connie's Facebook account. If you receive a friend
request from Connie Ballantyne, you should MUTE IT, IGNORE IT, or
DELETE IT -- as it is a FRAUDULENT SCAM.

Word is being spread around on various D-Star Nets and Facebook
Groups about this...your help in spreading the word on this fraud
would be greatly appreciated.

Daryl, WX4QZ
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The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC)
Question Pool Committee (QPC) is requesting input from the amateur
radio community on new or modified questions for the 2022-2026 FCC
Element 2 Technician Pool, which goes into effect on July 1, 2022.

This may include suggestions for new questions, changes to current
examination topic areas, or changes to existing questions in the
current Technician Question Pool.

The QPC offered guidelines that said it's seeking input that focuses
on topics that enhance public interest, understanding, and use of
amateur radio, or focus on STEM hands-on learning and education, as
well as questions on new technology, digital modes, station setup,
and operation, antennas, and emergency and non-emergency operation.

To submit suggested questions for QPC review, the committee asks that
questions have no more than two 70-character lines, including spaces. Distractors should be no more than 70-character lines long, and
shorter if possible. Each multiple-choice question must be
accompanied by four possible distractors, and only one correct answer.

The answer choices may be in any order, but the correct answer must
be indicated by the letters A, B, C, or D at the beginning of the
question. Those submitting suggestions should provide the resource
information that supports the correct answer, or the FCC Part 97 rule.

The QPC will accept question comments, revisions, and submissions from
the amateur radio community via email (qpcinput@ncvec.org) through
June 30, 2021. This email address is a bulk forwarding mailbox, so no acknowledgement will be sent by return email. The NCVEC QPC will take
all comments into consideration as it updates the Technician Question
Pool for 2022-2026.

**

Note: Per Part 97.502 of the FCC Rules, only General, Advanced,
and Amateur Extra Class licensees may submit input for the Techinican
Class Question Pool (Element 2).

Only Advanced and Amateur Extra Class licensees may submit input
for the General Class Question Pool (Element 3). The General Class
Question Pool won't be updated again until 2023.

Only Amateur Extra Class licensees may submit input for the Amateur
Extra Class license Question Pool (Element 4). The Amateur Extra
Class Question Pool won't be updated again until 2024.

For more information on the NCVEC, go www.ncvec.org

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
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2021 World Amateur Radio Day is April 18

What: 2021 World Amateur Radio Day

Who: All amateur radio operators worldwide

When: Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 0000 UTC until Monday, April 19, 2021
at 0000 UTC

Where: A global event covering all regions of the International Amateur
Radio Union (IARU)

Why: World Amateur Radio Day, held on April 18 each year, is celebrated worldwide by radio amateurs and their national associations which are
organized as member-societies of the International Amateur Radio Union
(IARU). It was on this day in 1925 that the IARU was formed in Paris.
American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Co-Founder Hiram Percy Maxim was its
first president.

Amateur radio experimenters were the first to discover that the
short-wave spectrum could support long-distance radio signal
propagation. In the rush to use these shorter wavelengths, amateur
radio was "in grave danger of being pushed aside," the IARU's history
has noted. Amateur Radio pioneers met in Paris in 1925, and created
the IARU to promote the interests of amateur radio worldwide, and to
protect and enhance its spectrum privileges.

Today, the IARU is a federation consisting of more than 160 national
amateur radio organizations in as many countries and separate
territories. The International Secretariat of the IARU is ARRL, the
national association for amateur radio (R) in the United States.

On World Amateur Radio Day, all radio amateurs are invited to take to
the airwaves to enjoy our global friendship with other amateurs, and
to show our skills and capabilities to the public.

IARU has chosen "Amateur Radio: Home but Never Alone" as the theme for
World Amateur Radio Day, Sunday, April 18, 2021. The theme acknowledges
that during our physical distancing to reduce the spread of the COVID-19
virus, amateur radio stands out as welcome respite for its variety of activities and opportunities - even helping overcome online fatigue and
social isolation. The amateur radio community has organized "wellness
nets" to keep amateurs in touch, and check on those who may be higher
risk or elderly, "stay safe" special event stations across the globe,
and has encouraged generally higher levels of on air activity.

For its part, ARRL has accelerated new opportunities for its members to
connect and learn through the ARRL Learning Network webinar series, and temporary rule changes to popular on-air events to encourage greater
individual and at-home participation. Over the last year, many
ARRL-affiliated radio clubs and in-person ham radio events moved their activities online. These efforts have all ensured that radio amateurs
remain active and involved throughout our common pursuit of skill,
service, and discovery in radio communications and radio technology.

How: World Amateur Radio Day is not a contest but rather an opportunity
to "talk" about the value of amateur radio to the public, and our
fellow amateur colleagues. It is also a great opportunity to talk about
your radio club and amateur radio in local media as a lead-up to ARRL
Field Day (held each year during the fourth full weekend in June) and
another ham radio related activity in your community - such as
volunteers who serve in local emergency communication readiness,
including the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (tm).

Here are just a few ways to participate in, and promote, World Amateur
Radio Day:

! Get a station on the air! Create your own personal "event" to talk
about amateur radio to others, including family and friends.

! Find out more about World Amateur Radio Day by checking the IARU
website and other Resources listed below.

! Create and hold a special net or on-air event on World Amateur Radio
Day to raise the level of attention for the celebration, and to
encourage other hams to talk about our hobby. Consider creating and
offering a commemorative certificate for contacting your special
activation. It can be an electronic one as these are cost effective.

! ARRL Rookie Roundup SSB is Sunday, April 18, 2021 from 1800 to 2359 UTC.
The contest is aimed at hams licensed for three years or less. Use the opportunity to wish participants "Happy World Amateur Radio Day 2021" on
the air.

! Get the word out! If you are an ARRL Public Information Coordinator,
Public Information Officer, or responsible for radio club publicity,
send a press release and conduct some public relations outreach to
highlight the day and/or events. Use the IARU theme for 2021 to create
a relevant, powerful, and contemporary message.

! Talk about all of the activities radio amateurs have continued to
support during the pandemic, and how amateur radio serves our
communities. Find recent examples of amateur radio in-the-news at www.arrl.org/media-hits.

! Promote your personal World Amateur Radio Day activity(ies) on social
media platforms like Twitter and Facebook by using the hashtag #WorldAmateurRadioDay. Make sure you send it to various clubs,
reflectors, and media.

Join us in celebrating World Amateur Radio Day and all the ways amateur
radio brings us together!

For a list of resources and other links, go to:

http://www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day
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From Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, Editor Of Amateur Radio Newsline.

She forgot the link in the original script in the May 7, 2021
issue of Amateur Radio Newsline, for the "Fence Antenna" story.
The link is as follows:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4kU0u59Vo8

She added "We'll get this in the script ASAP. Thanks so much for
flagging this!"

Daryl, WX4QZ
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Due to this Sunday being Mother's Day (in the US and Canada), and
also because there's a risk of both severe weather and flooding for
my area...I've decided, as Net Control, to CANCEL the QCWA Digital
Net for this Sunday, May 9, 2021.

To me, FAMILY is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than hobbies...including ham
radio, and checking into nets. While Father's Day is an "afterthought"
compared to Mother's Day (another stinking necktie for Dad (hi hi)),
the thing is, without your Mom and Dad, you wouldn't be here (hi hi).

So, folks can take the day off and celebrate with their Mother's...
or in my case...remembering the wonderful memories I have of and with
her, before she died of congestive heart failure just 3 weeks before
her 93rd birthday nearly 2 years ago.

The QCWA Digital Net, which normally meets on the QuadNet Array,
at 5pm Eastern Time Sunday, while canceled this Sunday, May 9, will
resume on Sunday, May 16. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Daryl, WX4QZ, Net Control, QCWA Digital Net
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Well, with the way my luck has run lately, I'm not surprised with this development. I've had an apparent massive system failure at this end,
with the following items no longer working correctly over here:

1) Sound Card and Headset Mic
2) ThumbDV and BlueDV Program
3) Web Browser (I guess Windows 10 is next)

I haven't even tried CQ100 yet, but if the above items still apply,
then I'm off the air entirely...rarely checking packet, D-Rats, or
Winlink Email anymore, anyway. It's as if I took a lightning hit.

So, I am effectively QRT and OFF THE AIR...UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. With
a stormy weather pattern continuing here, it's probably just as well.
Plus, I can NOT afford to purchase any of these new items right now...
because of plumbing and insurance cost issues outside of ham radio...
and to me, those are far more important than doing ham radio traffic
nets.

As a result, except for updating the net list spreadsheets, ham radio
info on my BBS (weather permitting), or doing a local license exam
session...it appears that ham radio days are over.

With the tension and severe migraine headache that has developed with
this, I'm getting away from the computer for several days...so I won't
be on email, Facebook, Packet, D-Rats, or Winlink 2000.

I've also put my phones into "Do Not Disturb" mode, so I'm cutting
myself off from the outside world for several days. I likely am about
to have a breakdown from all that has been happening to me anyway...and
it's time I take a break.

Daryl, WX4QZ
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Well, I've fixed the audio issue with the headset mic, to where
I can do my ham radio nets after all.

Unfortunately, I can't control the weather (my late mother-in-law
said "you'll be [pooping] in high grass if you could" (hi hi))...and
between severe weather (tornado warnings to my southwest yesterday)
plus flash flood warnings and emergencies yesterday and today (some
areas of southeast Arkansas got over 15 inches of rain today, and
it's still pouring)...I've had little time to work on the computer.

The weather also means it's a "net time decision" on whether I can
do my nets...even with REDUCING the early checkin time to only 30
minutes instead of one hour. But, no amount of surge protection will
protect you from a direct or close lightning strike.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
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From a QST from the Portage County Amateur Radio Service (PCARS) Club
in Ravenna, Ohio:

PCARS Members:

I know that there are a few members that fly drones, and some do it to
inspect yagis that are on TALL towers. Here is something that you show
know:

Drones are increasingly used as tools for getting antenna wires into
trees, surveying site lines, and so on.

To legally fly a drone in the United States for non-commercial purposes,
one must have passed TRUST - The Recreational UAS Safety Test (URL below).

Free training for this is now available, after which someone can take
the test from one of the (currently) 16 organizations that can administer
the test. (DPReview -- URL below)

TRUST: https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/knowledge_test_updates/

DPReview: https://www.dpreview.com/news/4668719994/faa-releases-trust-free- online-training-required-for-recreational-pilots-to-fly-legally

(above URL all on one line).

**

From what I understand, flying a drone WITHOUT having done the TRUST
course, can get you into big trouble with the law.

I personally have no interest in doing such (flying drones), and don't
have any. But, I understand they can be quite expensive.

Daryl, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Doug, AB8M, has been doing a "practice packet net" on Monday
evenings (see related message for info). But, he may be considering
ending that net soon...although I've told him I'd like for him to
continue it. Apparently, another ham is doing a similar net, but
with more modes to input stuff.

If the net is discontinued, I will remove the weekly autopost
message associated with it. For now, The PCL Net, which meets on
the NS2B BBS in Penfield, New York, will continue. See the
appropriate information file for more details. I alternate Net
Control with Bob, NS2B, and am the Scribe for that net.

Daryl, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I have UPDATED the file PART97.ZIP, from Title 47 of the Code Of
Federal Regulations, Part 97 of the FCC Rules, regarding amateur radio.
Data was last updated in the file as of March 8, 2018.

There is a PDF file online for download, and a ZIP file with the
ascii text version of the file. This is designed for use with the
REGSCAN and BULLET doors done by the late Dave Perry, W4KGU (SK).

Portions of this file are on ALL Amateur Radio license exams.

Daryl, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

My apologies for the delay in posting of several items to the various
ham radio echoes in recent days.

Last Thursday, I got an uncomfortable feeling between my throat and
my heart, as if I was about to vomit...but I wasn't nauseated or short
of breath...and I didn't have the "classic heart attack symptoms" of
pain in the jaw, or down the arms. But, I went ahead and called 911,
with the Little Rock Fire Department, and the Metropolitan Emergency
Medical Services (MEMS) Ambulance, responding in short order.

I was ambulatory to St. Vincent's Infirmary in Little Rock, where
my heart rate was racing along at 155!! It had never been above 105
as I could recall. They hooked me up to an intravenous feed of saline
(for fluid), and to a medication to slow the heart rate down. The
latter only worked temporarily, so they added an intraveneous drip
of a solution to lower the heart rate...and was admitted to the
cardiac ward. While there, somebody set off the fire alarm in
another area of the hospital...and there were 2 instances of the
"Rapid Response Team" with a "Code Blue"...one was in the Cardiac
Care Unit. I don't know if either of those patients survived.

I was basically diagnosed with atrial flutter, a cousin to atrial fibrillation. Left untreated, both can lead to a fatal stroke or heart attack...but, it appears that I caught it early enough...so I can stay
off the Silent Keys page for awhile. The medicine got it down into the
upper 50s, but stabilized it in the mid 70's. One ham quipped "it's
like golf...a score of 65 is better than 155" (hi hi).

It took several hours before they got me to my room, and I thought
I was going to need heart surgery. As it turned out, I didn't need it
(i.e. a pacemaker implant)...at least not yet. However, I have two
follow-up medical appointments this week...a telemedicine conference
with my primary care physician on Tuesday...then I see my cardiologist
on Wednesday. He will then decide if I need additional surgery, which
would obviously require hospitalization.

Because of a threat of thunderstorms that was forecast in central
Arkansas on Sunday, US Time (today at this typing), and not knowing
when I'd get to come home, I unplugged everything, and shut down the
BBS, before the ambulance arrived. If I have to undergo heart surgery,
the BBS will be temporarily offline again...but I won't know much else
until after I see my cardiologist on Wednesday...and I'll post another
update as soon as I know something.

They have put me on a blood thinner, and a medicine to slow the
heart rate, and lower the blood pressure (which wasn't too bad,
although the heart rate was). I have no idea what caused it. The
original blood pressure medicine I was on, has been discontinued.

It was warm in the Emergency Room, and in my room, that I felt like
I had a fever (I had a slight one at 99.4). But, I ended up getting
a much needed sponge bath before sunrise Sunday morning (they were
short staffed), and another one before discharge, to get all the sticky
sensor adhesives off of me. A female nurse did the first bath, with a
male nurse doing the second one. Nudity means nothing to the medical
folks, so I didn't mind them seeing me naked. Besides, I view them as
being there to save my butt, and not kiss it.

The female nurse that originally was supposed to bathe me, ended up
(from what I understand) having to deal with a "Code Brown"...the
patient defecated in the bed...you can imagine what a mess that was!!
At least I was able to make it to the toilet in the room...and at
least I didn't have to worry about a catheter or an enema. Basically,
in the hospital, they ask you about "The Three P's" -- peeing, pooping,
and procreation. The bottom line is that "if you don't take care of
your health, you are sure to be sorry...and may not live to tell about
it".

They did do a COVID-19 nasal swab...thankfully, I was negative, but
many central Arkansas area hospitals are filling up with folks with
the Delta Variant of COVID-19...and many of those aren't vaccinated.
For the record, I got both my shots this past April. But, even the
hospital elevators were segregated, whether you had COVID-19 or not.
My heart goes out to the first responders, who have to deal with this
risk every day.

I was not on Lasix...at least not to my knowledge. However, my bladder
and kidneys were in overdrive, as if I was!! I will say that the portable
male bedside urinal is a JOKE!! You end up getting more urine on the bed
than in the bottle. But, at least I didn't need a catheter (they told me
that since those are also a risk for infection, they don't use those
unless absolutely necessary). And, at least my colon didn't shut down,
either. The main food at lunch and dinner was grilled chicken...so, I
wasn't cannibalistic (eating ham (hi hi)). Hopefully, just some medicine
and dietary modifications will be all that's necessary.

I'm reminded of the joke that Tom Mullica, who did a show in tribute
to the late Red Skelton, up in Branson a few years ago...you thought
that Red had come back from the dead!! Anyway, he found out that there
was a group of nurses in the audience, and he was overjoyed!! He said
"I'm so glad all of you are here today!! I've been dying to ask this question!!". The hall gets silent, and he looks at the nurses...and
inquires "Have we had our bowel movement today??!!" The nurses were as
red as tomatoes, and the entire room was roaring in raucous laughter!!
(hi hi).

I am hoping that if I have to get a pacemaker, that it will not affect
my being around computers, ham radio, or the microwave oven (which is
the only way I cook things)...let alone my ability to drive. But, if
those occur, it will basically cut me off from the outside world, as
all my hobbies would go by the boards...the BBS, ham radio, and square dancing...even though most of what I do in the latter is behind the
scenes, and off the dance floor.

A friend of mine (he and his lady friend/significant other, have a
spoiled rotten dachshund)...has one of the newer pacemakers, that
apparently aren't affected by things like computers, ham radio,
microwave ovens, etc. -- and that one can use the Wi-Fi to transmit
data to the heart clinic.

My late Mom died of congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation
three weeks shy of her 93rd birthday nearly 2 years ago. To my knowledge,
I don't have congestive heart failure, but I hope to more after I see
the cardiologist on Wednesday.

I talked to several hams who have the same thing that I do, and also
take similar medicines, so their feedback was greatly appreciated. For
those of you who pray, I covet any thoughts and prayers. I'd like to
stay on this side of the grass for awhile yet.

Daryl, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

From a story on the ARRL website, Aug. 16, 2021.

The $35 fee for a new, renewed, or upgraded ham radio license, or a
callsign change (sequential or vanity) for US hams, apparently won't
take effect until 2022. Full details are at:

https://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-application-fees-unlikely-to-go-into-effect- until-2022

(above URL all on one line)

Speaking of changes, the Technician Class Question Pool and exams will
change on July 1, 2022...with the General Class Question Pool and exams changing on July 1, 2023...and the Amateur Extra Class Question Pool
and exams changing on July 1, 2024.

For those involved with license exams in the US, make sure that as those
dates get closer, that prospective examinees are studying the CORRECT
Question Pool (2018 Technician, 2019 General, and 2020 Extra). I've had instances at test sessions where examinees failed the exam, because they
were studying material that was out of date...and they basically wasted
their time and money.
--
Daryl, WX4QZ, VE Team Liaison
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Ham Radio Club
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I have made an update to the PDF Mode Overview file on getting
started with D-Star, D-Rats, and the QuadNet Array, among other
modes.

The main changes were to update the list of available ratflectors...
I removed several that were no longer online, and inserted a screenshot
of how they are configured in my D-Rats setup. I also removed a duplicate
entry in the listing, modified the entry for the Paulding Country Georgia
ARES Net, and added the Alaska Black Tie Net.

You can get these by going to the hyperlink off of my bio on QRZ,
or you can connect to my D-Rats folder, and look for the filename
with Mode Overview in it.

There are around 200 nets in the file...mostly D-Star, plus several
Echolink, and some D-Rats nets for good measure.

I also discovered that I have Echolink setup correctly (with the
new version), and I was able to check into an Echolink Net earlier
tonight. However, the EchoAnswer Utility, an answering machine for
Echolink, is no longer available, and didn't work under Windows 10.
Plus, since my callsign was changed 2 1/2 years ago, the registration
key I have no longer works with it. I don't know if there's a comparable program out there. I'm on Echolink only for nets and sked requests.

Daryl, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Due to several factors, as of Sept. 12, 2021, I am QRT from D-Star
until further notice. These include:

1) Failure of the BlueDV program to connect to D-Star.

2) Failure of a reinstallation after uninstalling the program.

3) Failure of a downgrade installation (Windows 10 says a higher version
is already on the system, but I can't find it).

4) Failure to get DroidStar to work on my Android phone (the battery is draining too quick as it is).

5) The local repeaters not on the gateway.

6) Medical and financial issues, where I can't afford:

A) A replacement ThumbDV or DV Dongle.

B) A D-Star Radio or Hotspot.

C) A new Android phone.

So, the following D-Star Nets where I was Net Control, are now QRT,
unless someone takes over as Net Control:

a) QCWA Digital Net - 5pm Eastern Sunday, QuadNet Array.

b) HotSpot, Raspberry Pi, SBC, ZumSpot Net, 10pm Eastern Monday,
QuadNet Array.

c) Arklatex D-Star Net, 8:30pm Eastern Tuesday, Reflector 48 B.

d) Trains And Railroads Net, 8pm Eastern Time, Friday, QuadNet Array.

e) Food Net, 4pm Eastern Time, 3rd Saturday, QuadNet Array.

I will still be on the air for these nets:

1) QCWA CQ100 Net, 11am Eastern Friday, 14.347 on CQ100

2) The PCL Net, 8pm Eastern, Monday, NS2B BBS, Penfield, New York

D-Rats, Echolink, Packet Via Telnet, and Winlink Express will be
used VERY SPARINGLY.

Details on the QuadNet Array are at https://openquad.net -- details
on CQ100 are at https://www.qsonet.com

This is a choice that I did NOT want to have to make...I apologize
for any inconvenience. I will advise if and when I can get back on
the air, but right now, I'm not optimistic.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Two packet related items...one a repeat from an earlier message.

1) From Jim Obenhofer, KN6PE, author of the Outpost Packet Program.

Google Chrome will NOT let you download anything from the Outpost
website (outpostpm.org). Please use another browser, such as Firefox,
Microsoft Edge, Opera, etc. to download any files related to Outpost.

2) From Bob Smith, NS2B, Sysop of the NS2B Packet BBS

The BBS computer crashed earlier today, so the NS2B BBS is temporarily
offline. A new computer has been ordered, and Bob hopes to have the
BBS back online early next week...in time for The PCL Net at 8pm US
Eastern Time on Monday.

Daryl, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Update from Bob Smith, NS2B, Sysop of the NS2B Packet BBS

The replacement computer for the NS2B BBS will NOT be in until mid
to late next week.

So, The PCL Net for Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, is CANCELED. The net hopes
to resume the following Monday, Oct. 4, 2021.

Daryl, WX4QZ, Scribe and Alternate Net Control
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I just got a message from Doug, AB8M, announcing that due to
dwindling checkins, and other issues, the Monday Night Practice
Packet Net, is no more. So, I have deleted that announcement from
the weekly postings.

However, for now, The PCL Net continues on the NS2B Packet BBS,
every Monday (except during weeks of the US Holidays of Easter,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas,
and New Years Day), at 8pm US Eastern Time. Look for the related
announcement here each Monday.

Yours truly, WX4QZ, alternates Net Control with NS2B, and is the
scribe for the net.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I have been unable to get callsign data updates from hamdata.com
since Oct. 6, 2021. The website had provided the latest callsign data
from the FCC for U.S. Hams, and from Radio Amateurs Of Canada for
Canadian Hams.

The site has been inaccessible the last several days, so I don't know
if it has crashed, is down for repairs, or something else. I normally
post data on the BBS twice a week, but once a week when there is a
Monday holiday (as there was this week, with the US Columbus Day
Holiday, and the Canadian Thanksgiving Day Holiday).

I will check later in the week to see if it's back online. At the
present time, I don't know of a similar website, which provided such
a callsign issuance data summary. The QRZ website stopped issuing any
callsign data updates for its callsign CD's several years ago...not to
mention they quit doing the data CD's themselves as well. I may end up
no longer posting such data, unless the site comes back up, or I can
find a replacement.

The one thing I would post would be the paragraphs that had been
at the top of the file, with information on callsigns, license exam
sessions, etc. -- but this would possibly be posted only on a monthly
basis.

As a side note, I have the callsign search door that the late Dave
Perry, W0KGU (SK) had done on the BBS; but the data is from 2008. So,
it's obviously way out of date. The door is now basically for purposes
of nostalgia. And, with Dave's passing several years ago, none of his
5 ham radio doors (freeware, requiring a DORINFO1.DEF dropfile, and
without a fossil driver), are being updated.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

The HamData website (hamdata.com) is back online after an apparent
server crash. So, I'm able to resume posting callsign data again.
The site has a quick list of the latest issued ham radio callsigns
for the US and Canada. See the callsign post message itself for more information.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Upon advice from Gary, VA3GDZ, I've updated the Excel Net List
Spreadsheet files of selected D-Star, Echolink, and D-Rats Nets,
in the 4 US time zones of Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific,
to highlight recently changed or added nets. These include:

1) New nets to the listing
2) Nets that have changed their day, time, or reflector
3) Corrections where I had information for the net wrong, such as
the time the net was scheduled.

These are the same changes in the current PDF file noting such.

Note that the UTC Times listed are ONE HOUR LATER when the US is
on Standard Time (from the 1st Sunday in November to the 2nd Sunday
in March). The UTC Time is based on the time at the Greenwich Meridian,
in England...hence it's sometimes referred to as GMT or Greenwich Mean
Time or Greenwich Meridian Time. UTC is "Universal Time Coordination",
but it's also referred to as Zulu Time or Z Time. Weather data is done
with Z Time, and ham radio contest times are noted in UTC Time.

The Excel Net List Spreadsheets, along with PDF files can be obtained
by going to my bio on QRZ...and clicking on the first hyperlink noted. A
second hyperlink there will allow you to email me Feedback, or to report an error in the net listing, to advise me of a new net, one that has changed
its day, time, or location, or one that has shut down.

I would like to keep that listing as current as possible. There are at
least 200 nets that meet on a monthly basis...mostly D-Star, quite a few Echolink, and some D-Rats nets for good measure. Note that is another
file with links to other net modes such as DMR, CQ100, AllStar, HamSphere, Christian Related (for those wanting them), etc. I see no reason to do a duplication of listings that are already out there. Note that I only take responsibility for my Excel Net List Spreadsheets, but I depend on others
to advise me of any errors or changes that are needed.

You are free to share and use this data, but I ask that personal
credit be given to Gary, VA3GDZ, who designed the template, and to
yours truly, who maintains the list. Lastly, check with the various
Net Controls, as last minute changes or cancellations can occur.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

ARRL Headquarters Station W1AW added a new category today, with
bulletins from Radio Amateurs Of Canada.

To make things easier to post these to the ham radio message areas
on the BBS, I had set up a batchfile. However, I had forgotten with
the copy and paste to change the subject, so the bulletin from RAC
(Radio Amateurs Of Canada) got posted twice.

My apologies for the error.

I don't know if this will be a regular category from W1AW or not.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I'm afraid that I'm getting burned out in ham radio after over 30 years...mainly in checking into other nets.

It has gotten to be such a madhouse with a pile-up of checkins...
many of whom are "net hoppers"...or what I term as "Hi, Bye, And QSY"
checkins. It's as if they believe there is a prize, award, bonus, or certificate, for seeing how many nets they can check into during a
day or evening. These "short timers" do their "quickie in and out
checkin" on one net...and not a minute later, they're doing likewise
on another net.

Indeed, in the Excel Net List Spreadsheets that I have of selected
D-Star, Echolink, and D-Rats Nets, in Eastern, Central, Mountain, and
Pacific Time (along with PDF files related to ham radio)...there are
over 200 nets in a month, and on some nights, there can be as many as
a half dozen nets meeting at the same time. These files are available
from the hyperlink off of my bio on the QRZ website.

There are a ton of stations wanting to checkin, but don't you dare
ask them to be a club officer or Net Control Station!! The latter is
why when a net frequency is reduced, or the net has to shut down, due
to commitments outside of ham radio, stations howl with rage and anger;
because no one will step up to the plate and do the work involved as a
Net Control Station, Club Officer, etc.

Sadly, it's the same with ANY HOBBY -- everyone wants the glory and
the benefits...but no one wants the gall and the work involved. And yet,
they think many things in life just "magically happen by themselves".

On a net this morning, Net Control had asked stations to "wait 20
seconds" before they key up...as he had to replace the batteries in
his computer speakers right before the net. NOT A SINGLE PERSON
COMPLIED WITH HIS REQUEST...and that left a real bad taste in my mouth.

On another net awhile back, one ham had the audacity to tell Net Control "this isn't the way you are supposed to run a net". I sent him a stern
warning letter, saying "If I had been an FCC Official, you would've had
a Notice Of Liability for Forfeiture in your mailbox in short order!!".

As one ham this morning lamented, "We need the new hams and old timers
to be schooled on Net Etiquette in the worst way".

Right now, unless I drop some more nets, here is my current schedule
for nets as Net Control. You can download the appropriate PDF file from
my D-Rats station or from the hyperlink off of my bio on QRZ. All times
noted are US Central -- for details on the QuadNet array, point your web browser to https://openquad.net

Sunday: QCWA Digital Net, 4pm, QuadNet Array

Monday: PCL Packet Net, 7pm, NS2B BBS
Hotspot, Rasperry Pi, SBC, ZumSpot Net, 9pm, QuadNet Array

Tuesday: Arklatex D-Star Net, 7:30pm, Reflector 48 B

Friday: QCWA CQ100 Net, 10am, 14.347 (CQ100 -- NOT on RF)
Trains/Railroads Net, 7pm, QuadNet Array

Third Saturday: Monthly Food Net, 3pm, QuadNet Array

I normally start early checkins 1 hour before the net, on the respective reflector, etc. -- but with degenerative disk disease in my back and spine getting worse by the day, I may have to cut that back to only 30 minutes,
or retire from nets completely. Yet some stations feel that's still "not enough"...even if the net goes 30 to 60 minutes.

I felt like starting a "Checkin When You Feel Like It Net". This is on
any band, any mode, any frequency, for any license class, at any time,
day or night...to checkin whenever you feel like. I will then log and acknowledge you in kind...whenever I feel like it.

Ham Radio is a HOBBY...it should NEVER take priority over things like
church, family, health, job, or honey-do's. Otherwise, that rig you have
your eye on for your birthday or Christmas is "going back to the candy
store".

So, I'm going to take an extended break from checking into other nets;
with being on the air ONLY for sked requests, and the nets noted above.
Nets were here long before I, or anyone else was in the hobby...they will
be after all of us are Silent Keys.

If this offends you...well, Life is NOT Fair or Burger King. Fair is
a fall carnival...a weather term...or a call in baseball. And, you can
NOT always "Have It Your Way". If you don't want to checkin to my nets
anymore, that suits me just fine.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Daryl Stout wrote to All <=-

It has gotten to be such a madhouse with a pile-up of checkins...
many of whom are "net hoppers"...or what I term as "Hi, Bye, And QSY" checkins.

The Tennessee Phone Net is notorious for that. There's a section at the beginning for "short timers" going to other nets and it takes 15 minutes
just to get through that! I haven't checked into that net for a while as there's a few net controllers who insisted there was something wrong with my radio and it turns out they just are appliance operators...

73,
Sean KS4TD
... In mixed doubles the mix is very important.
___ MultiMail/FreeBSD v0.52

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Outpost BBS // bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (618:618/10)

Sean,

The Tennessee Phone Net is notorious for that. There's a section at
the beginning for "short timers" going to other nets and it takes 15 minutes just to get through that! I haven't checked into that net for
a while as there's a few net controllers who insisted there was
something wrong with my radio and it turns out they just are appliance operators...

Years ago, it was so easy to set up and program your rig. Now, if you
don't have the programming software and cables, you'll never set it up.

As noted, there are so many who think it's the mortal sin, of missing a
net. I've always felt that if I don't feel like checking into a net, I'm
not going to lose sleep over it.

There's always a net somewhere...just like the country song with Alan
Jackson and Jimmy Buffet, "It's 5:00 somewhere".

I don't spend every waking moment with my hobbies...ham radio, square dancing, or the BBS. In the last few days, I'd play the games, and I
skipped the QWK Mail. With being doped up from medication fighting this
head and chest cold, I'm just doing QWK Mail today...the games will have
to wait. After I do the Arklatex D-Star Net tonight, I'll take my NyQuil,
and go inspect the insides of my eyelids.

Daryl, WX4QZ

... If I got the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Daryl Stout wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

Years ago, it was so easy to set up and program your rig. Now, if you don't have the programming software and cables, you'll never set it up.

Depends on the rig. My IC-718 is one you just turn on and use. Now, if I
get an IC-7610, yeah, a lot more complicated but a lot more features as
well.

There's always a net somewhere...just like the country song with Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet, "It's 5:00 somewhere".

I think there's a net going somewhere any hour of the day and night. I've checked into nets between 2-4 AM all the time when I was working second
shift and several between 8-10 AM when I was working overnights.

I don't spend every waking moment with my hobbies...ham radio, square dancing, or the BBS. In the last few days, I'd play the games, and I skipped the QWK Mail. With being doped up from medication fighting this head and chest cold, I'm just doing QWK Mail today...the games will
have to wait. After I do the Arklatex D-Star Net tonight, I'll take my NyQuil, and go inspect the insides of my eyelids.

I spend a lot of time on the computer because of my limited mobility right
now and lack of funds. But once I get Social Security and can fix my Pathfinder, I'll be out and about a lot more. I'm the type to grab my
laptop and go to the library, connecting to their WiFi and work on the BBS
or other projects from remote just because I can.

Once I can get back on the air, I'll be much more active in ham radio. The local scene has kinda died off pretty badly here so it's very much a "solo" hobby at this moment.

73 DE KS4TD,
Sean

... Jealousy is all the fun you think they have.
___ MultiMail/FreeBSD v0.52

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Outpost BBS // bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (618:618/10)

The original post of the Jan. 28, 2022 Amateur Radio Newsline did not
have a link to the story on the Nordic Radio HF Conference in the
script. The Newsline website, arnewsline.org, has been updated with
that URL, and it is noted below.

https://www.nordichf.org/

It just proves you need a second set of eyes when you look over any documentation that you have done, or you are likely to miss it.

Daryl, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I originally didn't see it on the ARRL website, but was alerted to it
by a fellow ham radio operator from a story on the QRZ website.

The effective date for the FCC's New License Fee of $35 for amateur
radio operators in the US and its territories, will take effect on
Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

The fee will be payable directly to the FCC on their website, and NOT
to the VE Team. The fee is charged for all NEW, RENEWED, or UPGRADED
amateur radio licenses (individual or club)...or for a callsign change (sequential, vanity, or club). There is NO FEE for adminstrative updates
such as name, email, or mailing address change. The fee must be paid
within 10 days of the FCC receiving the notification from the VEC...or
the license grant will be dismissed, and the applicant will NOT be
eligible for a refund.

Full details are at https://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee -- as of
late evening, March 23, 2022, it's NOT on the main page at arrl.org --
but hopefully, it will be in the coming days. Not everyone will "dig
through the site" looking for things...plus, the ARRL website will be
down from late this week into early next week, due to changes and
upgrades in the design.

For those who have not yet gotten their amateur radio licenses, or have
been considering upgrading or renewing, or changing their callsign,
without having to pay the fee...time is now running out for you to do
so before the fee is implemented.

You can NOT transmit once your license expires, and if you fail to renew within the 2 year grace period, you will LOSE your license and callsign;
and at MINIMUM...have to retake the Technician Class exam again to get
back into amateur radio with a new callsign. If you don't know your
license expiration date, you need to check it, post haste.

For those who just took a test and got your license, you basically got
in "under the wire".

While several hams have complained about the $35 fee, I've seen many
of these same hams lay down $100 or more for a "brick" of prize tickets
at a hamfest, or a bunch of money for a big rig, and not bat an eye. To
me, that makes as much sense as tits on a boar hog.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, VE Team Liaison
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Ham Radio Club
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

2022 National Hurricane Conference Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop
Monday April 11th, 2022 -- Workshop Topics and Zoom Information

Hello to all...

We will have the 2022 National Hurricane Conference Virtual Amateur
Radio Workshop on Monday April 11th, 2022 from 1030 AM-1200 PM EDT
and 130-500 PM EDT. The topics lineup for the workshop as well as the
Zoom information details are listed below:

http://voipwx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/National-Hurricane-Conference- 2022-Session-and-Schedule-Information-2.pdf

(above URL all on one line)

The workshop will be recorded and added on to Youtube as well.

We appreciate everyone's support of the 2022 National Hurricane Conference Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop on Monday 4/11/22 and everyone's support of
the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,

Rob, KD1CY
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

From The ARRL Letter, May 12, 2922

National Hurricane Center Annual Communications Test to be Held on May 28

WX4NHC, the amateur radio station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
in Miami, Florida, will hold its annual communications test on Saturday,
May 28, 2022, from 9 AM to 5 PM EDT (1300 - 2100 UTC).

The event is designed to evaluate WX4NHC's amateur radio equipment and
antennas at the headquarters in Florida, and to give operators an
opportunity to evaluate their home equipment prior to this year's
Atlantic hurricane season, which starts on June 1 and runs through
November 30. This event allows ham radio operators worldwide to hone
their amateur radio communications skills for times of severe weather.

Brief contacts will be available on many frequencies and modes, as
well as the exchange of signal reports and basic weather data with
any station in any location.

WX4NHC will be on the air on HF, VHF, UHF, 2- and 30-meter APRS, and
Winlink at wx4nhc@winlink.org (subject must contain "//WL2K").

The Hurricane Watch Net 14.325 MHz frequency will be active for most
of the test, as will 7.268 MHz, depending on propagation. Depending
on man-made noise, the net may move to different frequencies, and
participants can locate the net using one of the DX spotting networks,
such as the DX Summit website at www.dxsummit.fi.

There will also be a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Hurricane
Net from 4 - 5 PM EDT, or 2000 - 2100 UTC (IRLP Node 9219/EchoLink
WX-TALK Conference Node 7203).

WX4NHC will make a few contacts on local VHF and UHF repeaters, as
well as on Florida's Statewide Amateur Radio Network (SARnet).

QSL cards will be available via Julio Ripoll, WD4R.

For more information about WX4NHC, visit their website at
www.wx4nhc.org.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I'm tardy in sending you an email about the Arkansas QSO Party, which
is happening Saturday! This is the 2nd year The Noise Blankers Radio
Group will be once again coordinating the QSO party.

The Arkansas QSO Party is this Saturday 21 May 2022 and every ham in
the state is invited to participate. It's an easy 12-hour event that
allows for a full-day experience or drop-ins that won't take up your
entire weekend.

Check out the Arkansas QSO Party website for rules, maps, information
and more: www.arkqp.com

Hope to catch you on the air!

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Arkansas Section
Section Manager: James D Ferguson Jr, N5LKE
n5lke@arrl.org --------------------------------------------------------------------
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I decided to try something new last night in doing the Arklatex
D-Star Net, with D-Rats checkins. I had originally done D-Rats when
I was doing D-Star under Windows 10...but with Windows 11, there
is a glitch with the audio drivers, the ThumbDV, and the BlueDV
program. I understand from other ham radio operators that some
of their programs and modes no longer work under Windows 11, not
to mention that Windows 11 is 64-bit only.

So, I had to switch the D-Star over to the BBS computer, where the
CPU is too slow to run Windows 11. So, that computer instead has
Windows 10 32-bit, so the legacy DOS doors can run. I can not justify discarding perfectly good and working programs, just to satisfy
Microsoft's bottom line. They seemingly are slowing down people's
coputers, so they'll upgrade to faster computers and a more current
operating system. What Microsoft (and apparently most in Washington,
DC) fail to see, or refuse to accept, is that not everyone has the
money to do the upgrades of computers or operating systems...and
they're perfectly happy with what they have. In some cases, they
are switching from Windows to Mac or Linux...and I know it irritates
Microsoft no end in that regard...not to mention not everyone is
running Microsoft Edge (I personally have gone to Mozilla Firefox).

Anyway, to cut to the chase (hi hi), I decided to still run a
setup of D-Rats on the Windows 11 64-bit laptop, which has the
SSID of WX4QZ-1 -- then, I set up an identical copy of D-Rats on
the BBS computer, which has the SSID of WX4QZ-15 -- the latter
is monitored when I'm doing my weekly D-Star Traffic Nets. But,
with both of them connected to the St. Tammany Ratflector, I can
monitor each one for checkins...and by using different SSID's,
there's no conflict created.

There is a file in my D-Rats shared folder, called Mode Overview;
a PDF file with an overview of Net Etiquette, setting up D-Rats,
the ThumbDV with the BlueDV program (these work mainly on Windows
10), and accessing the QuadNet Array, where the majority of my D-Star
Nets are run. Other files on there are PDF files related to ham radio,
plus Excel Spreadsheets of selected D-Star, Echolink, and D-Rats Nets,
in US Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Time. These are a far
more current listing than what's at dstarinfo.com under nets (I had
tried numerous times to get my net info updated, but it was as if it
fell on deaf ears, so I gave up). I had started with PDF files, but
thanks to Gary, VA3GDZ, I was able to create the Excel Spreadsheets,
which are far easier to work with. For the spreadsheets, you'll need
either Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, or OpenOffice (the latter two
are free of charge) to view them. A PDF viewer is required to view
the PDF files, and an image viewer for the image files.

If you don't have D-Rats set up, you can still get to these files
by going to the QRZ website, search for WX4QZ, and click on the
first hyperlink there. The second hyperlink will allow you to email
me, if you see an issue with the spreadsheets (such as an addition,
change, correction, or deletion, to a net listing), or have either a
question or comment. I'll get back with you as soon as possible.
Lastly, two other files note how to convert to UTC Time, especially
if you're in the US...plus links to other modes and nets...and a
list of nets where you'll find me on the air.

Daryl, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Unfortunately, the HamData.Com website setup no longer works with the
web browsers of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, or the search
engine of DuckDuckGo (I prefer that over Bing and Google)...and I even
have tried it on the smartphone.

So, I'm no longer able to update the HamData callsign bulletin, which
had data from the FCC for the latest issued callsigns in the US and
Canada. If anyone knows a way I can get this data, I'd appreciate it.

As an accredited Volunteer Examiner (VE) in central Arkansas, at times, prospective hams are curious about which sequential callsign they might
get. Unfortunately, with the security issues with web browsers, some
websites that have just http instead of https are no longer viewable.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
VE Team Liaison
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Ham Radio Club
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Good morning all:

As I write this, there is a little breeze gaining strength down in the
Gulf. While it will not directly run over us, and my pastures could
stand a little rain, there is a chance we can help our friends in the
affected area.

I expect the FCC to issue a Special Temporary Authority (STA) very soon, allowing Pactor 4 operations. As you know, KB5LZK is often used as a
WinLink gateway by those in hurricane-affected areas. We will be
turning the Pactor 4 on as soon as we get the thumbs-up. Please avoid
using WinLink HF if possible so the frequencies remain open for those
folks. Telnet works great if you have internet!

The Hurricane Net is operational on 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz. In this
case, listening is a good thing. Those hams reporting are doing what
they can to provide situational awareness to the forecasters and
Emergency Management. Keeping the frequency clear for them is clearly
the right thing to do.

I'll have more information for you as the situation develops. Let's
pray that as prepared as we are to help, the need doesn't arise.

73,

J.M. Rowe N5XFW
Arkansas SEC

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Arkansas Section
Section Manager: James D Ferguson Jr, N5LKE
n5lke@arrl.org --------------------------------------------------------------------
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I discovered an error in the files listing for the ham radio exam files
area on The Thunderbolt BBS. The FILES.BBS was still showing the 2018 Technician Class Question Pool file, even though it noted "file not valid
after June 30, 2022"...but the file had been removed from the database.
I have made the correction to the FILES.BBS listing...my apologies for the oversight. The file area lists question pools for the US Ham Radio Exams
only.

The General Class Question Pool will change on July 1, 2023, with the
Amateur Extra Class Question Pool changing on July 1, 2024...and the
Technician Class Question Pool won't change again until July 1, 2026.

The pools change every 4 years, with changes in rules and technologies.
While the Question Pools are in the public domain, maintained by the
National Council Of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC), ham radio operators provide the questions as follows:

General Class Licensee: Technician Class Question Pool
Advanced Class Licensee: Technician and General Class Question Pool
Extra Class Licensee: Technician, General, and Extra Class Question Pool

FCC Rules require at least 10 times the number of questions in a pool
as there are on the exam. So, with currently 35 questions for both the Technician and General exam (separate tests), and 50 questions for the
Amateur Extra exam, there are at least 350 questions in the Technician
and General Pool, and at least 500 questions in the Amateur Extra
Question Pool. Many questions are similar...and unless they have been
removed by the NCVEC, there is a chance that ANY of them will appear on
the exam.

The Question Pools expire on June 30 of a particular year, with the
new pool taking effect on July 1 of that same year. In the 4 year
cycle, Technician changes in year 1, General changes in year 2, Amateur
Extra changes in year 3, with no changes in year 4...then, the cycle
starts all over again.

Examinees need to be sure they're studying the correct question pool
for the exam they're taking, or they could be in for a rude awakening
on exam day.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

I discovered an error in the domain for the ham radio websites message.

The CORRECT domain should be wx4qz.net INSTEAD of theweatherwonder.com
as I got rid of that domain over a year ago, due to cost. A fellow ham
radio operator is helping with the hosting fee, and I just pick up the
domain cost. My apologies for the error.

Daryl, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)