• Re: Huntsville Hamfest

    From Jimmy Anderson@VERT/FINALZON to Daryl Stout on Thu Mar 9 17:36:00 2023
    Daryl Stout wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Jimmy,

    I went a few years ago, but didn't get there this last time...

    I took the Greyhound Bus there from Little Rock, Arkansas nearly
    6 years ago, as it was cheaper than flying, and Amtrak doesn't
    serve the area.

    I remember we talked back during that time - maybe the year after you
    went is when I went?


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  • From Daryl Stout@VERT/TBOLT to Jimmy Anderson on Sat Mar 11 03:08:00 2023
    Jimmy,

    I remember we talked back during that time - maybe the year after you
    went is when I went?

    It's possible. I heard there was a great hamfest in Trussville, Alabama
    this past weekend (the Birminghamfest). With health, financial, plus the transportation issues, I rarely leave home now, and don't go outside the
    Little Rock area anymore.

    For the second time since I've been with Lyft, they tried to pair me
    with a high ground clearance pickup truck. The step to get in is as high
    as my groin, and I'd either rip my pants, fall to the ground, or twist something (nuts to that...pun intended (hi hi)) trying to get in. So, I
    wrote them a stern letter, asking them to NOT pair me with these high
    ground clearance vehicles.

    The arthritis is so bad throughout my body, especially in my left hip
    and left knee...as well as degenerative disc disease in my back and spine, that I'm in constant pain. I can not sit at the computer for long periods
    of time, whether for ham radio traffic nets (with having congestive heart failure, I operate "internet only"), or for the BBS. I had to reduce the
    "early checkin time for my nets" from an hour to 30 minutes, and I may
    need to soon cut that to 15, or eliminate it.

    My health comes before any ham radio operator's ego that may be crushed
    if a net shuts down.

    I've got insomnia (never mind the call of nature, but I take my Lasix
    at lunch), so that's why I'm up right now. Plus, hailstorms are forecast
    here Saturday afternoon and night, as we're now into our spring tornado
    season.

    Daryl, WX4QZ

    ... I xeroxed my watch. Now, I have time to spare.
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  • From Moondog@VERT/CAVEBBS to Daryl Stout on Mon Mar 13 17:24:00 2023
    Re: Re: Huntsville Hamfest
    By: Daryl Stout to Jimmy Anderson on Sat Mar 11 2023 03:08 am

    Jimmy,

    I remember we talked back during that time - maybe the year after you went is when I went?

    It's possible. I heard there was a great hamfest in Trussville, Alabama this past weekend (the Birminghamfest). With health, financial, plus the transportation issues, I rarely leave home now, and don't go outside the Little Rock area anymore.

    For the second time since I've been with Lyft, they tried to pair me
    with a high ground clearance pickup truck. The step to get in is as high
    as my groin, and I'd either rip my pants, fall to the ground, or twist something (nuts to that...pun intended (hi hi)) trying to get in. So, I wrote them a stern letter, asking them to NOT pair me with these high
    ground clearance vehicles.

    The arthritis is so bad throughout my body, especially in my left hip
    and left knee...as well as degenerative disc disease in my back and spine, that I'm in constant pain. I can not sit at the computer for long periods
    of time, whether for ham radio traffic nets (with having congestive heart failure, I operate "internet only"), or for the BBS. I had to reduce the "early checkin time for my nets" from an hour to 30 minutes, and I may
    need to soon cut that to 15, or eliminate it.

    My health comes before any ham radio operator's ego that may be crushed
    if a net shuts down.

    I've got insomnia (never mind the call of nature, but I take my Lasix
    at lunch), so that's why I'm up right now. Plus, hailstorms are forecast here Saturday afternoon and night, as we're now into our spring tornado season.

    Daryl, WX4QZ

    ... I xeroxed my watch. Now, I have time to spare.

    Have you considered doing a sleep study regarding your insomnia? Sometimes
    the body wakes itself uyp if something isn't right. A bipap or cpap may be necessary to correct sleep patterns.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ The Cave BBS - Since 1992 - cavebbs.homeip.net
  • From Daryl Stout@VERT/TBOLT to Moondog on Fri Mar 17 01:24:00 2023
    Have you considered doing a sleep study regarding your insomnia?
    Sometimes the body wakes itself uyp if something isn't right. A bipap
    or cpap may be necessary to correct sleep patterns.

    I have severe sleep apnea. The problem is that the CPAP they gave me
    requires water...and the way we get lightning in central Arkansas during thunderstorms, if that's plugged in, and a close or direct strike occurs,
    I could be fatally electrocuted. I already have nervous system damage from
    2 indirect lightning strikes at 3 and 16 years of age.

    Plus, after I moved back home 5 years ago, in putting my Mom in a nursing home (she passed away in August, 2019), much of my stuff is still in storage crates in the garage. But, after having hernia surgery after moving back
    home, I can't lift anything heavy, or I might undo the surgery. So, I have
    no idea where it is.

    Daryl

    ... I thought I was indecisive...but now, I'm not so sure.
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  • From Moondog@VERT/CAVEBBS to Daryl Stout on Fri Mar 17 19:59:00 2023
    Re: Re: Huntsville Hamfest
    By: Daryl Stout to Moondog on Fri Mar 17 2023 01:24 am




    Have you considered doing a sleep study regarding your insomnia? Sometimes the body wakes itself uyp if something isn't right. A bipap or cpap may be necessary to correct sleep patterns.

    I have severe sleep apnea. The problem is that the CPAP they gave me requires water...and the way we get lightning in central Arkansas during thunderstorms, if that's plugged in, and a close or direct strike occurs,
    I could be fatally electrocuted. I already have nervous system damage from
    2 indirect lightning strikes at 3 and 16 years of age.

    Plus, after I moved back home 5 years ago, in putting my Mom in a nursing home (she passed away in August, 2019), much of my stuff is still in storage crates in the garage. But, after having hernia surgery after moving back home, I can't lift anything heavy, or I might undo the surgery. So, I have no idea where it is.

    Daryl

    ... I thought I was indecisive...but now, I'm not so sure.

    I never heard of someone taking lightning hit from a humidifier in a cpap.
    I won't rule it out. If you need a cpap and you live in a storm belt area (I do as well) I would consider a UPS /battery backup for the device to keep it running in a storm and act as a form of isolation from surges and spikes. Burning up a UPs is better than getting zapped or burning up a cpap machine.

    ---
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  • From Daryl Stout@VERT/TBOLT to Moondog on Sat Mar 18 09:56:00 2023
    I never heard of someone taking lightning hit from a humidifier in a cpap. I won't rule it out. If you need a cpap and you live in a storm belt area (I do as well) I would consider a UPS /battery backup for the device to keep it running in a storm and act as a form of isolation
    from surges and spikes. Burning up a UPs is better than getting zapped
    or burning up a cpap machine.

    As crazy as Arkansas weather has been lately, nothing surprises me.

    I have a UPS device, but as noted, no amount of surge protection will
    stop damage from a lightning hit...which could cause a fire.

    And, having been struck twice by lightning (indirectly, but I still got
    the shock, and have nervous system damage as a result), I don't want the
    third time to be "the charm".

    Daryl

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  • From Jimmy Anderson@VERT/FINALZON to Daryl Stout on Fri Mar 24 19:59:00 2023
    Daryl Stout wrote to Jimmy Anderson <=-

    Jimmy,

    It's possible. I heard there was a great hamfest in Trussville,
    Alabama this past weekend (the Birminghamfest). With health, financial, plus the transportation issues, I rarely leave home now, and don't go outside the Little Rock area anymore.

    Yeah, I'm getting there... have started having problems with knees and one heel... If I were going to travel away for something right now it would be
    for gaming... Board Games, or RPG's...

    I do have on my short list, though, to visit the Ark Encounter and the
    Creation Museum in Kentucky!!!

    For the second time since I've been with Lyft, they tried to pair me with a high ground clearance pickup truck. The step to get in is as
    high as my groin, and I'd either rip my pants, fall to the ground, or twist something (nuts to that...pun intended (hi hi)) trying to get in. So, I wrote them a stern letter, asking them to NOT pair me with these high ground clearance vehicles.

    WOW!

    The arthritis is so bad throughout my body, especially in my left hip and left knee...as well as degenerative disc disease in my back and
    spine, that I'm in constant pain. I can not sit at the computer for
    long periods of time, whether for ham radio traffic nets (with having congestive heart failure, I operate "internet only"), or for the BBS. I had to reduce the "early checkin time for my nets" from an hour to 30 minutes, and I may need to soon cut that to 15, or eliminate it.

    My health comes before any ham radio operator's ego that may be
    crushed if a net shuts down.

    That is SO so correct!!!

    I've got insomnia (never mind the call of nature, but I take my Lasix
    at lunch), so that's why I'm up right now. Plus, hailstorms are
    forecast here Saturday afternoon and night, as we're now into our
    spring tornado season.

    I'm typing this Friday night - Tornado Warning between here and the river...




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  • From Daryl Stout@VERT/TBOLT to Jimmy Anderson on Mon Mar 27 06:23:00 2023
    Jimmy,

    Yeah, I'm getting there... have started having problems with knees and
    one heel... If I were going to travel away for something right now it would be for gaming... Board Games, or RPG's...

    Getting old is not for sissies...and if you call me a sissy, I'll hit
    you with my purse (hi hi).

    I do have on my short list, though, to visit the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum in Kentucky!!!

    I've seen videos on that...it looks impressive.

    WOW!

    They now have a driver shortage...so much so, I had to cancel the
    appointment to my cardiologist 2 weeks ago.

    That is SO so correct!!!

    If you don't have your health, you have nothing.

    I'm typing this Friday night - Tornado Warning between here and the river...

    Mississippi got slammed by an EF-4 tornado that devastated Rolling
    Fork and Amory. Much of Arkansas into the MidSouth is under an ENHANCED
    RISK for Friday of this week. March came in like a lion, and apparently,
    it'll go out the same way.

    Daryl, WX4QZ

    ... Chain Lightning: For when you can't stop with one bolt.
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  • From KF5QEO@VERT/MAINLINE to Daryl Stout on Tue Mar 28 11:33:02 2023
    Re: Re: Huntsville Hamfest
    By: Daryl Stout to Jimmy Anderson on Mon Mar 27 2023 06:23 am

    Mississippi got slammed by an EF-4 tornado that devastated Rolling
    Fork and Amory. Much of Arkansas into the MidSouth is under an ENHANCED
    RISK for Friday of this week. March came in like a lion, and apparently, it'll go out the same way.
    You ain't Whistleing Dixie there! The Clarion Ledger has a picture of a demolished House and an 18-wheeler that was lifted up, and dropped down on top of the house! And, I think they said 24 dead!

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  • From Daryl Stout@VERT/TBOLT to KF5QEO on Wed Mar 29 21:31:00 2023
    You ain't Whistleing Dixie there! The Clarion Ledger has a picture
    of a demolished House and an 18-wheeler that was lifted up, and dropped down on top of the house! And, I think they said 24 dead!

    The towns of Rolling Fork, Silver city, and Amory, were literally blown off the map by that EF-4 tornado. I think the death toll is well over 30 now.

    The Storm Prediction Center is highlighting an ENHANCED risk of severe weather on Friday from the Arklatex and Arklamiss...northward through the MidSouth into the Great Lakes, and east into the Tennessee and Ohio Valley. Size wise, the area looks almost like "The Super Outbreak" that occurred nearly 50 years ago (April 3-4, 1974, with 148 tornadoes in 12 hours over several states).

    Then, it looks like severe weather will hit many of the same areas next Tuesday...and the height of tornado season isn't until April and May...
    with May averaging 5 tornadoes per day. The way this season has been so
    far, that average may be much higher. Alabama had already seen two dozen tornadoes by late January...and Arkansas has already seen a third of the
    number of tornadoes it sees in an average year.

    I dread what hurricane season may bring, as I understand that the Gulf
    Of Mexico waters are unusually warm right now. All you need is an area
    of low pressure, and light winds aloft (no wind shear), and that warm
    water is fuel for the fire, as it were. When the barometric pressure of
    the storm is below 27 inches of mercury (the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane
    that destroyed the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad,
    had a pressure of 26.35 inches), catastrophic is the only way to describe
    it. There have been hurricanes since that 1935 storm, that had an even
    lower pressure.

    The thing that amazes me is that so many people are ignorant of the
    weather. They check the forecast on Sunday, and think that it won't ever change. The fact is, that weather changes more than you change your
    underwear (I guess that doesn't apply to nudists (hi hi)). I've seen it
    go from clear skies to tornadoes in 20 minutes. The worst time for a
    tornado warning in central Arkansas would be when they normally test the sirens, at 12 noon local time on Wednesday. Except for the National
    Weather Service and Skywarn Storm Spotters, hardly anyone else would
    know the difference.

    There are so many ways to receive weather information, such as NOAA
    Weather Radio (I recommend the Midland WR-120, or the model from First Alert)...local radio and TV stations...weather apps for the smartphone,
    and National Weather Service sites on the internet. Basically, ignorance
    is no excuse.

    Also, for "severe weather geeks", the YouTube Channel of "Ryan Hall
    Ya'll", is paradise. While he's a chaser himself, he normally broadcasts
    from his "Kentucky Weather Cave" (his sister, Carly, helps with the
    duties of switching to various things...including shots of him (with
    reading the bulletins), then feeds from storm chasers in the field,
    and radar shots.

    The radar shots include your typical reflectivity, plus the velocity
    display, and the correlation coefficient (CC) looking for "debris balls".
    In the latter case, having one of those with an intense rotation couplet, usually means that you have a large violent tornado on the ground.

    Your heart just sinks when you see that, hoping folks are taking shelter, and you basically need to be in an underground storm shelter to survive.
    Just like with many violent tornadoes over the years, the only thing left
    of where houses WERE was the concrete slab foundation.

    Now, while Skywarn was what got me interested in amateur radio 32 years
    ago, after 28 years of doing weather stuff (including nets), I got burned
    out, and nearly quit the hobby in 2019. My emphasis now is trains and
    railroad crossing safety...and, I run a Trains Net on the QuadNet Array on Friday at 8pm US Eastern Time. We discuss anything and everything about
    trains and railroading, have 2 railroad trivia questions, and first time checkins can get a commemorative certificate upon request.

    The callsign I have now, WX4QZ, has NOTHING to do with weather. Some railroads use W, and some use X, to alert the engineer that a highway
    grade crossing is ahead. QZ stands for "Quiet Zone", where the horn/whistle
    is sounded only if someone is trying to beat the train across the tracks
    at the crossing, there are maintenance of way (MOW) crews along the tracks,
    or they're meeting a train on a parallel track. In short, the alternate
    acronym is "Whistled Crossings For Quiet Zones". If I had been the train engineer, and someone is on the tracks (trespassing, if they are not MOW workers), I'm sounding that horn as a warning, quiet zone or not.

    From a poem The Good Lord gave me several years ago, called "No One
    Asks The Engineer", it basically tells that after a grade crossing
    incident, that "no one asks the engineer how he felt". Two verses of
    that poem (at http://www.wx4qz.net/rxr.htm), tell how I feel...as follows:

    Had I been the engineer, on the train that day.
    And, if you asked me how I felt, here is what I'd say.

    "There was no way that I could stop; or out of the way, swerve".
    "They ran a red light at a crossing, and got what they deserved".

    Ultimately, the law of physics wins every time...one locomotive is at
    least 300 tons, and a fully loaded freight train can be over 12,000 tons.
    Most vehicles are a measly 1 to 2 tons...in short, it's no contest. As I
    heard one railroad safety officer note, "the only thing the engineer can
    do, even if he throws the train into emergency, is watch you die".

    It can take from 1 to 3 miles (the length of 18 to 54 football fields)
    to stop a moving train. The coupler coming through the side of the vehicle,
    as it's t-boned, will likely decapitate the driver and/or passengers,
    killing them instantly. The sad part is that there was nothing that the engineer could do to prevent it...and many quit their jobs afterward due
    to all of the emotional trauma. They would NEVER seat me on a jury with
    a grade crossing accident. In short, "trains have the right of way at
    railroad crossings".

    Alternatively, WX (weather) is what got me into ham radio, and with
    having to operate internet radio (being a heart patient), I'm "QRZ without
    the R (radio)". But, at least my license isn't just "a sheet of paper". In closing, while I don't do weather on ham radio anymore...while I'm not a meterologist, I am an amateur weather enthusiast. However, I know enough
    to be dangerous...and "I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night"
    (hi hi).

    Daryl, WX4QZ

    ... Try to beat a train to a railroad crossing, and you'll be dead wrong.
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  • From Jimmy Anderson@VERT/FINALZON to Daryl Stout on Fri May 5 19:14:00 2023
    Daryl Stout wrote to Jimmy Anderson <=-

    Yeah, I'm getting there... have started having problems with knees and
    one heel... If I were going to travel away for something right now it would be for gaming... Board Games, or RPG's...

    Getting old is not for sissies...and if you call me a sissy, I'll hit you with my purse (hi hi).

    LOL - that's a good one!

    I do have on my short list, though, to visit the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum in Kentucky!!!

    I've seen videos on that...it looks impressive.

    There's a conference that the pastor is interested in going and taking
    us deacons along that's being held there. Mark Spence with Living Waters Ministries is going to be there! Would love to meet him!





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  • From Daryl Stout@VERT/TBOLT to Jimmy Anderson on Sun May 7 23:21:00 2023
    Jimmy,

    Getting old is not for sissies...and if you call me a sissy, I'll hit you with my purse (hi hi).

    LOL - that's a good one!

    <WHOMP!>. It's like Christian Comedian Chonda Pierce said for all this
    mess with Covid-19, where no wants to hug, etc. She said "I thought of
    just slapping them...'How ya doin'?? <WHOMP!>". <G>

    There's a conference that the pastor is interested in going and taking
    us deacons along that's being held there. Mark Spence with Living
    Waters Ministries is going to be there! Would love to meet him!

    I think of the Blooper that noted "Titanic exhibit closed due to water damage" (hi hi).

    Daryl, WX4QZ

    ... Lead me not into temptation -- I'll find my own way.
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