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N5VLZ Daryl J D. Stout Little Rock, AR QCWA # 36941 Chapter 85 |
For more information on what ham radio is, go to:
http://www.theweatherwonder.com/hamradio.htm
This has information on a page that I created off of my personal homepage website.
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NOTE: If you have previously tried to confirm a QSO with me via QRZ's logbook, I have had great difficulty working with it to confirm said QSO. Please go to www.eqsl.cc INSTEAD to get your QSO confirmed, and I will do so as soon as possible. With my duties as her Power Of Attorney for my elderly Mom, now in a nursing home, confirmation may take some time. My apologies for any inconvenience...your understanding is appreciated.
However, since "weather is no longer my priority traffic" on nets, etc., I CHANGED my vanity callsign to N5VLZ. It stands for "Whistled Crossings For Quet Zones"...emphasizing safety at highway railroad crossings. In a Quiet Zone, the train does not sound the train horn, unless there are people or vehicles on the track ahead of him. For more information on such, go to:
http://www.theweatherwonder.com/rxr.htm
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The profile picture has been changed to a combination of photos, related to the D-Star Trains And Railroads Net that I do every Friday at 8pm Eastern/7pm Central/6pm Mountain/5pm Pacific, on Reflector 26A. During Daylight Savings Time, for those stations in Arizona or Hawaii, the net time is the same as Pacific Time. Please note that I'm in the process of REDOING the Commemorative Certificates to go with my new callsign, and this may take a bit to complete....sorry for any inconvenience.
The photo on the right is yours truly (the Conductor for the net), taken at the Arkansas Railroad Museum in Pine Bluff, Arkansas (photo by Peter Smykla). On the scrolling name badge on the Conductor's Hat, it notes "Welcome Aboard From The Conductor".
The photo on the left is a CSX Railroad Crossing in the snow (the photo is used with permission of Abacus Software, which did add-ons for the original Microsoft Train Simulator, but it may no longer be in business))...and the two in the middle are my NEW QSL Card (set up on eqsl.cc -- the SOO Line Steam Locomotive photo is used with permission of Mike Yuhas, AB9ON))...and a logo for the D-Star Trains And Railroads Net. The logo was designed by Paul Frey, K9PTF...with the Rock Island logo provided by Andy Wellman, KF4JQD. To get a bigger and better resolution of the profile photo, please click on it. K9PTF also provides a "Railroad Trivia Question" at the start of the net, and acts as "Conductor" when I can't make it, for whatever reason (i.e. weather, internet, health, etc.).
A YouTube Video, done by Gary Wilt, W2GJW, from the story from the Sept. 22, 2017 edition of Amateur Radio Newsline (with my former callsign of WX1DER), is located at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7yTRNcD1uM&feature=youtu.be
Yours truly can be seen operating 20 meter HF Railroad mobile, on the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad Troop Train, on Memorial Day Weekend, 2011, along the former Frisco line between Springfield, Missouri, and Fort Smith, Arkansas, from a YouTube Video done by Steve Tune, KC5FWE, located at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syErpRb6lFI
How I pulled some stations out of the weeds on 20 meters, I'll never know (hi hi). At that time, my callsign was AE5WX. I was originally N5VLZ...then AE5WX...then WX1DER...WX4QZand now N5VLZ...all noted below. Due to various issues, that's the last time I've operated HF...and I'm not sure when I can, or will, operate HF again.
I'm usually on D-Star, D-Rats, and Echolink, mainly just for a few nets each week. With the addition of a ThumbDV from another ham, I can connect to DCS, XLS, and XRF Reflectors, as well as DMR. However, I am cutting down my nets now, because I was getting burned out on doing them...especially for weather related nets. I no longer pass the detailed weather traffic , as it was taking too much time to gather the data beforehand...as well as during the nets...and weather conditions can change in the blink of an eye. Ham radio operators in the US and its territories, can go to weather.gov, and enter their zip code, to get a 7 day point forecast from the National Weather Service office serving their area. Ham radio operators outside the US and its territories, should check data from your local meteorological service.
I am working on getting connected on a new packet BBS, since the original one I was on went QRT, with the Sysop and his XYL becoming Silent Keys. I've changed the emails from what Yahoo Groups I was still part of to NONE (most of these have been migrated to groups.io)...but I no longer have the Yahoo app on my phone, as I rarely use it. So, please don't try to contact me via Yahoo, as I likely won't see it.
As for my ham radio "career", I was first licensed as N5VLZ in 1991 as a No-Code Technician. I had to take the Novice and Technician written exams, but didn't have to take a Morse Code test at the time. I tried, but failed, a 5 WPM shortly before the CW requirement was abolished in 2007. Shortly after first being licensed, I began running various traffic nets and hamfest talk-ins around the central Arkansas area. I started using packet radio in 2000, and Echolink in 2006. I began using D-Star (via the DV Dongle) and D-Rats in 2012. With the addition of a ThumbDV (noted above), I started using DMR in 2019, and can now access the DCS, XLS, and XRF D-Star Reflectors. I usually am on the air only in the evenings for selected nets.
Now, while the idea of operating "internet only" makes the "purists" cringe...the bottom line is, "if you can't get on the air, why get licensed in the first place...let alone bother to upgrade??". Plus, it's hard enough to get hams to serve as "Net Control", whether on RF, VoIP, etc. So, I can't see why we should penalize hams who are in situations (through no fault of their own), where RF gear and antennas are prohibited (be it assisted living centers/nursing homes, or retirement communities)...so, they have to operate "internet radio" instead.
In July, 2007, 5 months after the FCC dropped the Morse Code requirement for amateur radio licenses, I used HamTestOnline to upgrade from Technician to General in 14 days, and from General to Amateur Extra 13 days later; making it the BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT in amateur radio. I studied 2 hours a day for 2 weeks on each element...although you may not have that much time to devote to studying. However, the 6 month subscription (prices vary, depending which license(s) you are going for) lets you study in the privacy of your own residence, at your own pace. However, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND them to anyone wishing to obtain, or upgrade their amateur radio license. They do offer a Money Back Guarantee. For details, go to:
http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com
I upgraded not so much to operate on HF, but primarily to become a Volunteer Examiner (VE); because at a central Arkansas Hamfest several years ago, they were literally "begging and pleading for VE's" to help with the license exam session. I realized then that this would be a great way to give back to the hobby, and it has been the most rewarding of all of the things that I have ever done with amateur radio, from October, 2007 to the present. I've participated in 200 license exam sessions, either as an administering VE, or as a VE Team Liaison. As of March, 2019, only 3 other VE's in Arkansas have more than 200 sessions to their credit. For the testing I do in Benton and Sherwood, pre-registration is required, and if no one signs up 48 hours in advance of the session, the session is cancelled. However, I won't test up against a hamfest, public service event, or holiday weekend in Arkansas.
In June, 2009, I changed to the AE5WX vanity callsign, AE for Amateur Extra, 5 for the 5th Call District, and WX for Weather...mainly Skywarn severe weather operations, which got me interested in ham radio in the first place. I've been indirectly struck by lightning twice (although I carry no electrical charge, and can be handled safely (hi hi)), been under 2 tornadic funnel clouds, been within a mile of an F-1 and an F-4 rain wrapped tornado, and been in swirling floodwaters.
While I respect the weather, I admit I get very nervous when severe weather or winter weather threatens the area. It'd be nice if severe weather was out in the middle of nowhere, not bothering anyone (i.e. in an open field)...but, the bottom line is, that someone's property is being damaged or destroyed...and tragically, many are injured, and lose property, or their lives, during severe weather. I am offline during thunderstorms, and can't even try to work via Wi-Fi, due to intense lightning that usually accompanies the thunderstorms moving through the area. The first things that usually go down during winter weather or thunderstorms, are the internet and the cellphones.
In December, 2012, I changed to the WX1DER vanity callsign, which stands for "Weather Wonder"; the name of a series of weather features that I did while I was in college nearly 40 years ago at the University Of Arkansas At Little Rock (UALR), majoring in Radio/TV/Film. They have an amateur radio club, and an amateur radio callsign server that mirrors the FCC ULS. Little did I know that my "radio" would become "amateur radio". The feature itself ("A Weather Wonder") was patterned after "A Meteorological Minute", a series of features that The Weather Channel was doing shortly after it began operations. I am the VE Team Liaison for the UALR Ham Radio Club. And, the name came from a phrase that I coined, which tells the truth about forecasting..."We analyze data, forecasts, and text...but, wonder what weather will happen next". I'm NOT a meteorologist, but an amateur weather enthusiast (or weather geek, if you prefer). Note that I know enough to be dangerous, and "I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night" (hi hi).
As noted above, since "weather is no longer my priority traffic" on nets, etc., I have CHANGED my callsign one last time to N5VLZ. Even though I changed callsigns, I'm keeping the same email address, plus the domain of my homepage, The Thunderbolt -- A Weather Wonder (www.theweatherwonder.com), my weather group on Facebook (The Thunderbolt -- A Weather Wonder), and my ham radio and weather oriented computer bulletin board system, The Thunderbolt BBS -- Telnet or Website login to tbolt.synchro.net
Also, the BBS is offline whenever thunderstorms threaten the central Arkansas area to protect from lightning damage; so if you can't access the BBS, please try again later. The BBS is running Synchronet BBS software, done by Rob Swindell, who is also an amateur radio operator. The BBS itself is run in memory of the late Janice Elaine Harvey Stout. For Arkansas weather data, go to:
http://www.weather.gov/lzk
Postings in the weather group on Facebook are RESTRICTED to WEATHER RELATED ONLY. Any other postings will be deleted, and the poster will be removed from the group. I am VERY SELECTIVE on who gets on my Contact List. While I am also on Twitter, and Skype, these are used VERY SPARINGLY in comparison to Facebook. Note that Google Plus was to shut down in early 2019.
While I remain a Life Member of the American Radio Relay League, and a Life Member of Courage Kenny Handi-Hams, I do very little with either of the organizations anymore (except for license exam sessions with ARRL/VEC), and am not a paying member of ANY ham radio club in Arkansas...because of all the political bickering between clubs, especially in over who handles severe weather nets better...or being constantly interfered with on repeaters in Arkansas.
So, all of my "on the air" activity is done OUTSIDE of Arkansas., where I feel more welcome. The only Arkansas ham radio activities I'm involved with are:
Webmaster for the Cabot Nightflyers Net -- http://www.thecabotnightflyers.net
Hamming In The Park -- http://www.theweatherwonder.com/hamnpark.htm
And, as noted above, I help with central Arkansas area license exams sessions, and am the VE Team Liaison for the UALR Ham Radio Club.
I'm a proud member of "The Royal Order Of The Wouff Hong" (having gone through it at the 2007 ARRL Great Lakes Division in Cleveland, Ohio, and the 2013 ARRL Delta Division Convention in Bentonville, Arkansas). A good time is definitely had by all during the initiation ceremony to this "secret society". Except for one being a paid up ARRL member to participate, I can't go into details as to what goes on, as you have to experience it for yourself. There is nothing degrading or vulgar...you will do a lot of laughing...and participants get a very nice certificate afterwards.
I'm also a member of the Portage County Amateur Radio Service (PCARS) Club in Ohio...the Memphis Digital Amateur Radio Club (MDARC) in Tennessee, a member of the North Carolina Radio Group (NCRG)(obviously in North Carolina), and the Philadelphia Digital Radio Association (PDRA) in Pennsylvania. I do very little else with the clubs, due to my being so far away. And, as of 2016, I'm a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA), and a member of the Arklatex Chapter of the QCWA. But, due to various issues, I have basically ended all travel outside of central Arkansas...whether for ham radio or other activities...and, that includes hamfests, or other events.
Anyway, I've made ham radio "a family affair"; even though I'm only the second (and probably, the last) ham radio operator in my family to be licensed. With Credit and Glory to The Good Lord for the inspiration, I have created 3 skits in "The Creative Juices Department", as follows:
A) The Ham Radio Wedding -- where ham and radio are united in "Holy Telephony"
B) The Honeymoon And More -- their first night together, and the harmonics early years.
C) Ham For The Holidays -- a Christmas In July theme, based on the melody of "The Twelve Days Of Christmas". It's now "The Twelve Days Of Hamming".
D) Sound effects for ham radio digital modes and selected Third Party Traffic, for item A above.
The first 2 skits have quite a bit of ham radio pun humor (especially the second one), and the third skit picks 12 items from the ham radio hobby. Go to the website of the Cabot Nightflyers Net (URL noted above), click on "The Nightflyers Net" Navigation Tab, and scroll down the page. You will need an appropriate MP3 player to listen to the MP3 files, and the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the PDF file...a combination of everything into one file. I am considering modifying those only for the recent callsign change. If you use these on the air, please give me credit for the scripts.
For a Menu of selected D-Star and D-Rats Nets to feast on during the week...or a guide to getting started in D-Star and D-Rats, you can email me at the address noted above (you must be logged into QRZ to view it). The files are in Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF Format.
To contact me, you can use one of the following methods:
1) Email (the best way to contact me). You must be logged onto the QRZ website to view it.
2) Go to http://www.theweatherwonder.com/fbk.htm -- and follow the instructions.
3) Leave a message to N5VLZ on D-RATS (usually up only on selected evenings U.S. Time).
4) Eyeball QSO's at selected central Arkansas Hamming In The Park events, or license exam sessions. There are only 4 main hamfests in Arkansas now...Hoxie (mid to late February)...Russellville (early March), Fort Smith (early April), and Mena (the weekend after Labor Day). There is no longer a hamfest in the Little Rock Metro Area.
I will reply via email as soon as possible, so please include your email address if you want a reply. As noted at the top, I confirm QSO's via eqsl.cc -- I had great difficulty working with QRZ's logbook, and I rarely send out personal QSL cards, because of poor delivery by the U.S. Postal Service.
73 (Best Wishes), and 75 (May God Bless You And Yours) DE N5VLZ
December 17, 2023