Sorry for the delay in posting of ham radio items. The message bases
on the BBS got corrupted, and I had to rebuild them from scratch. I'm
still working on such, and it may be a bit before things start moving
again.

Also, with the change of seasons (now autumn in the northern hemisphere), there are increasing chances of thunderstorms. So, the BBS may be down more than up at times. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, Sysop
The Thunderbolt BBS, Little Rock, Arkansas
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (801:1/2)

FCC Dismisses Three Petitions for Rule Making Filed by Radio Amateurs 10/03/2019

The FCC has dismissed petitions for rule making filed in 2018 by three
radio amateurs. All of the petitions were put on public notice earlier
this year and comments invited.

Edward C. Borghi, KB2E, of Farmington, New York, and Jeffrey Bail, NT1K,
of West Springfield, Massachusetts, submitted very similar petitions
seeking changes in how the FCC grants Amateur Radio vanity call sign applications. Borghi's Petition (RM-11834), would have prohibited vanity applicants from requesting call signs not designated for the applicant's geographical region, with exceptions under the rules governing call signs previously held by family members. Borghi complained that applicants had
to compete with "out-of-area people for the few 1 X 2 or 2 X 1 or catchy
2 X 3 call signs available in their area of residence."

Bail's Petition (RM-11835) asked that the FCC give residential preference
in competing applications to applicants whose listed FCC address is
within the same district/region as the applied call sign. He cited
limited availability and increased demand for 1 X 2 and 2 X 1 call signs.
The FCC dismissed both petitions in a single letter.

"The Commission does not limit applicants for vanity call signs to
requesting call signs assigned to the region of the applicant's mailing address, except for call signs designated under the sequential call sign
system for Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean Insular Areas, and Pacific Insular
Areas," the FCC pointed out. "When the Commission established the vanity
call sign system in 1995, it rejected a proposal to restrict vanity call
sign applicants to call signs designated for the region in which the
applicant resides," because it would restrict a given applicant's choice
of vanity call signs to 10% or less of those otherwise assignable.

The FCC also noted that a limitation based on an applicant's place of
residence "could easily be circumvented by using a mailing address in
another call sign region."

In denying the petitions, the FCC concluded that no need exists to
require vanity call signs to correspond to a licensee's mailing address,
"given that call signs do not automatically change when a licensee moves,
and a licensee's mailing address is not necessarily the location from
which he or she is transmitting."

"The Commission rejected this proposal again in 2010 for the same reasons,"
the FCC said. "The records before us do not demonstrate any changed circumstances or other reason that would warrant revisiting this decision."
The FCC further pointed out that vanity applications received on the same
day are handled by a random selection batch process, making it impossible
to identify in-region vanity call sign applications and process them ahead
of other applications for the same call sign."

The FCC also turned away a Petition (RM-11833) from Jerry Oxendine, K4KWH,
of Gastonia, North Carolina, who asked the FCC to clarify that states and localities should have no authority to regulate Amateur Radio with respect
to enacting "distracted driving" statutes. Oxendine argued that such
statutes violate FCC rules on scope and operation of equipment by
licensees; violate the intent of the FCC and Congress with respect to
Amateur Radio's role in disasters, and hinder emergency operations using
mobile equipment.

In denying the request, the FCC took issue with Oxendine's assertion that
the strong federal interest in promoting Amateur Radio communication
should preempt distracted driving laws. The FCC said it received about
20 comments supporting Oxendine's petition.

"Laws that prohibit talking on handheld communications devices while
driving do not preclude, or unreasonably obstruct mobile use of handheld two-way radios," the FCC said in denying Oxendine's petition. "These laws
apply to the use of handheld devices while driving. A driver can comply
with these laws by using a hands-free attachment or by parking the vehicle prior to using a handheld device, both of which are contemplated by our
rules regarding two-way radios."

The FCC said, "The record before us does not demonstrate that state and
local laws that prohibit talking on handheld devices while driving stand
as an obstacle to amateur communications or actually conflict with
federal law in any way." The FCC further noted the lack of any express preemption or argument that Congress has "occupied the field" of
regulation with respect to distracted driving statutes.
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (801:1/2)

After a lot of work, I'm happy to announce I apparently will be able
to take an extended train trip to a ham radio event...and to get me away
from things for 10 days, after all the stress of the last 3+ years, in
being my late Mom's caregiver, among other things.

The event is the 2020 Slidell, Louisiana Symposium and Hamfest. Details
for the event are still being planned, but the dates are confirmed. The
event will be at the Slidell City Auditorium, 2056 2nd Street. Details
will be at www.w5sla.net/hamfest-2020.htm when they become available.

Due to scheduling issues with Amtrak, which serves Little Rock via
The Texas Eagle, and its connection with The Sunset Limited 3 times a
week at San Antonio, the Sleeping Car Space sells out very rapidly. So,
I had to change my departure date from Little Rock.

Plans as of now are to leave Little Rock on The Texas Eagle late on
Monday, July 20, arriving in Chicago, Tuesday afternoon, July 21. After
a 3 1/2 hour layover, I board The Cardinal, arriving in Charlottesville, Virginia at midafternoon July 22. Then, after a 5 1/2 hour layover, I
board The Crescent, arriving in Slidell, Louisiana just after 6pm July
23. Glen, KG5CEN, lives only a mile from the depot in Slidell, and he'll
pick me up, and take me to the hotel.

I'll miss the Friday morning and evening activities, due to nets
(these are detailed below)...but should be there Friday afternoon,
and all day Saturday.

On Sunday, July 26, I'll leave Slidell just before mid-morning,
arriving in Washington, DC at mid-morning Monday, July 27. After a
6 hour layover, I'll board The Capitol Limited, departing just after mid-afternoon, arriving in Chicago at mid-morning Tuesday, July 28.
Then, after a 5 hour layover, I'll board The Texas Eagle just before mid-afternoon, arriving back in Little Rock during the early morning
hours of July 29.

Net wise, since I'm going Sleeping Car on the train (which made the
cost more expensive), the benefits include PRIVACY, and my on train
meals are INCLUDED in the price of the ticket. With the privacy, I
can operate D-Star Amtrak Mobile on the laptop, because of a Verizon
Mi-Fi, to be used on The Texas Eagle, and on The Capitol Limited.
Both The Cardinal and The Crescent have on-board Wi-Fi. Then, at the
hotel, I can use their Wi-Fi, or the Verizon Mi-Fi, if needed.

So, the net schedule (dependent on the on time performance of the
train), is as follows:

Monday, July 20: Will do The PCL Packet Net from the QTH, before
heading to the train station.

Tuesday, July 21: Run The Arklatex D-Star Net from the Sleeping Car.

Wednesday, July 22: Not sure if I can check into the Illinois D-Star
Net or not. It starts at 10pm Eastern Time, which is QUIET TIME on
the train. So, I may be on the reflector before the net...or have to
speak softly via the headset mic.

Thursday, July 23: Check into nets from the hotel.

Friday, July 24: Run The QCWA CQ100 Net, and the Trains Net on the
QuadNet Array from the hotel.

Saturday, July 25: Check into nets from the hotel.

Sunday, July 26: Run The QCWA Digital Net from the Sleeping Car.

Monday, July 27: Run the PCL Packet Net from the Sleeping Car.

Tuesday, July 28: Run the Arklatex D-Star Net from the Sleeping Car.

I am considering creating special QSL Cards, with the ad for The
Trains Net...the design was done by Paul Frey, K9PTF...with the logo
for the Rock Island provided by Andy Wellman, KF4JQD.

With the points earned on this trip, combined with what I already
have with Amtrak Guest Rewards, I should be able to take one final
train trip in June, 2021, to the National Square Dance Convention
in Jackson, Mississippi...and get the rail fare (with Sleeping Car)
for nothing.

More details in the coming weeks. Details on The QuadNet Array are
at www.openquad.net

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, Conductor
Trains Net on The QuadNet Array
Every Friday at 8pm US Eastern Time
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (801:1/2)

Sorry for the delay in posting of the ham radio bulletins in the
echoes. A combination of a stormy weather pattern (as Arkansas gets
into its Tornado Season), and 2 surgeries within 5 days, has meant
the BBS has had to be offline more than usual.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (801:1/2)

Earlier today, Feb. 15, 2020, I got up before the "butt crack of
dawn", and drove over 2 hours to northeast Arkansas...specifically
to Hoxie (southwest of Walnut Ridge)...for the Lawrence County
Winterfest.

I left home, and took Interstate 30 to Interstate 440 to US 67/167
(future Interstate 57) from Little Rock to Hoxie. I was surprised that
the highway was open to that point (actually 20 miles further than it
had been previously...and it was open a bit further northeast, but
there was no need for me to go further.

I used the Google MAPS program, which was like having a GPS in the car...although I'll have to get a cigarette lighter adapter for my
T-Mobile Android phone, as the battery power went down by 1/3 from
its max on the way. But, now that I know how to get there, I won't
need that the next time. The phone was recharged once I got back home.

I arrived there about 7:30am, 30 minutes before the hamfest itself
opened. Thankfully, I could get in the building to use the restroom
beforehand (cold weather makes ones urinary bladder shrink -- it was
in the mid 20's across north and central Arkansas this morning). But,
I was glad I had brought my walker...the long drive was HARD on me
physically. There were also areas of construction on US 67/167 between
Cabot and Newport...along the way. While I left Little Rock way before
sunrise, it was still daylight for the ride home.

The first thing I did after paying the admission ($5), was to buy
15 worth of prize tickets (I got 1 for admission, and bought the other
15, so I had 16 total). It turns out I WON the first 2 door prizes,
which were:

1) The Tornado Radio Unit. It is separate from NOAA Weather Radio,
that runs on AC power, with a 9 volt battery as a backup. You place
it in a window, free of nearby electrical disturbances, and it will
sound an alert, illuminate an orange light for lightning or a red
light for a tornado, and flash a strobe light, should those be
detected within 30 miles of your location. It's a $90 value.

2) A $50 ARRL Gift Certificate for the purchase of one of their
publications. Since only one transaction is permitted, I may look
for a publication near $50 (even if it's one I don't care for, or
have interest in), and donate it as a prize at a future hamfest
that I plan to attend this year.

If I do a forum at the Slidell or Shreveport Hamfest, in late July
or early August, respectively, I'm looking at donating 4 copies of
the 12th Edition of The ARRL Operating Manual. I haven't bought
those just yet...the last ones I had gotten, I give to 2 fellow
area hams to donate as prizes at the Mena Hamfest in west Arkansas,
which is always the weekend after Labor Day.

Since Monday is the Presidents Day Holiday, ARRL is closed until
Tuesday...so ordering has to wait...unless I choose to do it online.

Next, since H.A.M. stands for "Have Another Meal", and "You Don't
Call Us Late For Dinner", I bought 2 Shipley's chocolate iced donuts
(nice and soft), and a Coca-Cola to wash them down with, while I
filled out the prize tickets. Next time, I may bring my personal
address stamp, with my name and callsign on it. A fellow ham, an
older gentleman, who I've known for years, bought more tickets than
I did, and he didn't win a thing!! It's basically the luck of the
draw.

Vendor wise, Ray Novak from IcomAmerica, was there with a display,
including several rigs and brochures. You couldn't buy any gear,
per se, but could get further info.

I'm considering an HT to take with me on my Amtrak Hamfest trips in
2020, to use for analog or D-Star, and to monitor NOAA Weather Radio,
as well as the railroad traffic. He suggested the Icom ID-51A (I think).
I'm going to do some more research on that.

Since the Little Rock area D-Star and DMR repeaters are LOCAL ONLY
(not connected to the gateway), it makes no sense to get a fancier
radio and a portable hotspot...especially when I can use the ThumbDV
from Northwest Digital Radio, with my Windows 10 Laptop Computer, a
headset mic, and the BlueDV program from PA7LIM, to get on D-Star.
I also use the same computer for Packet Via Telnet D-Rats, and
Echolink...as well as for my square dance related work with the
Arkansas State Square Dance Federation (my second hobby...the third
one is a computer bulletin board system (BBS), sort of a small
version of AOL).

The other vendor was D&L Antennas, who had a wide selection of
manuals from ARRL, connectors, accessories, antennas, and other
items, but I don't recall offhand if he had any RF gear for
purchase (there may have been some, but I didn't see it). He gave
me information on the "Tornado Radio" noted earlier.

There were about 18 flea market vendors, selling boat anchors of
old gear, and even some non-ham radio gear. While chatting with
folks at some of the tables, I wasn't about to buy any of that. I
have seen a lot of those items that move from one hamfest flea market
to another.

Exam wise, only 1 candidate showed up, and he passed both his
Technician and General written exams.

There were about 18 folks at the ARRL Forum...including ARRL
Delta Division Director, David Norris, K5UZ (Ugly Zebra, as he
likes to note (hi hi)), Arkansas Section Manager James Ferguson,
N5LKE (his wife Caroline, N6LKE, was there as well), and Mike
Nettles (I forget his callsign offhand, but Mike did work with
the Arkansas Packet Network awhile back). There were some other
Assistant Section Managers, etc. there, but the small room was
packed for the forum...and there was a good bit of discussion.
The main point to drive home, was to ELMER someone. If we don't
do that, the hobby is going to die.

Many young people are so engrained with their smartphones and
tablets, and have no interest in the history, current state, or
future of ham radio. Plus, the young people "don't want to talk
to a bunch of old men". Admittedly, while ham radio is a male
dominated hobby, the women "clean our clocks" when it comes to
making contacts via contests, Field Day, or otherwise.

Then, it was lunch time, and I got 2 cheeseburgers, 2 cans of
Coca-Cola, 2 chocolate chip cookies, and a package of Doritos
Nacho Cheese Chips. I had hoped that would be lunch, but I had
to stop at the McDonald's in Newport on the way back to get
another large Coca-Cola, along with a large order of french
fries, and 4 small cheeseburgers...basically to help keep me
awake on the way home. I finished most of the fries, but have
some left for later, and still have the 4 cheeseburgers. Thank
goodness for a microwave oven at the QTH. I took a nap as soon
as I got back home.

They gave away the grand prizes between 12:30pm and by 1pm,
things were shutting down. At that point, "the crowd parted
like the Red Sea" (hi hi). The same schedule will probably be
at the Russellville and Fort Smith Hamfests...but from what I
understand, W5YI/VEC will do license exams between 8am and 9am,
then ARRL/VEC will do license exams between 9am and 10am. The
hamfest doesn't open until 9am, so that gives those who want
to take a test, and see the entire hamfest, a chance to do such.

Yet, with many of the smaller hamfests, it's very difficult to
get vendors. The "big hamfests" (i.e. Hamvention in Xenia, Ohio,
in mid-May...Hamcation in Orlando, Florida, in early February...
and Huntsville in Huntsville, Alabama in mid August) are the main
ones benefitting now. I am taking Amtrak to 2 Louisiana Hamfests
this year...Slidell in late July, and Shreveport in early August.
As a note, while not serving Shreveport directly by train, Amtrak
does offer a connection via a Thruway Bus at Longview.

The Hoxie Hamfest is always held the 3rd Saturday in February,
at the Hoxie Service Center, 500 SW Lawrence Street, across the
street from the Hoxie Fire Department. Last year, winter weather
really hurt the crowd, with both vendors and attendees unable to
get there...but aside from morning cold, it looked well attended
today.

The next hamfests for Arkansas are the Arkansas River Valley
Amateur Radio Foundation (ARVARF) Hamfest in Russellville on
Saturday, March 7...and the Fort Smith Hanging Judge Hamfest
on Saturday, April 4. That day is also the same day as the
Arkansas Railroad Museum Show And Sale in Pine Bluff...and at
times, amateur radio operators from the Pine Bluff area, set
up an HF Special Event Station, operating from a former
Southern Pacific Caboose, there at the museum. A picture of
part of that, with yours truly in his Train Conductor outfit,
can be found under my profile on QRZ (search for WX4QZ).

The last time I had attended a hamfest in Arkansas, was when
there was one in Little Rock, in September, 2016, put on by the
CAREN Club. However, with a lack of vendors, attendees, and
especially workers, 2016 was the last year of it...and it's a
shame that with at least 3 clubs in the central Arkansas area
(the Central Arkansas Radio Emergency Net (CAREN) Club, the
Arkansas Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Club, and the Central
Arkansas Ultra High Frequency (CAUHF) Club, they can't find a
common ground to do a hamfest. But, there are apparently too
many cliques and personality conflicts of new and "old time"
members, who will NOT work together.

Aside from being interfered with when I was on the air, that's
the main reason that except for being the Volunteer Examiner (VE)
Team Liaison for the University Of Arkansas At Little Rock (UALR)
Ham Radio Club, I am not part of ANY other club in the Little Rock
area. If they ever were to do a combined hamfest again, I would
volunteer to do the VE Testing, with ARRL/VEC. As a VE, my goal
is to get hams licensed, or upgraded. What they do in the hobby,
is their business.

After the Hoxie, Russellville, and Fort Smith Hamfests (in
February, March, and April, respectively), the next one is the
Queen Wilhelmena Hamfest, on top of Rich Mountain, in west
Arkansas, which is always the weekend after Labor Day. Then, a
much smaller hamfest (which I've heard isn't worth the drive),
the K5BOC Memorial Hamfest on Petit Jean Mountain in Morrilton,
on Columbus Day Weekend in October. I don't make the latter two,
due to schedule conflicts...the latter being the Fall Festival
for the Arkansas State Square Dance Convention. Being a member
of the Executive Board, I have to be there.

Several years ago, there was a hamfest in Batesville, and from
what I heard at the ARRL Forum today, their club has grown
explosively in members over the last year or two. I don't know
if they'll do a hamfest this year or not...but it was a small one
the last time I was there.

One last thing...Skeeter Nash, N5ASH, of Amateur Radio Newsline,
was there today. He's formerly from northeast Arkansas, then had
moved to Topeka, Kansas. He and his family now live in the Nashville,
Tennessee area.

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, Little Rock, Arkansas
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (801:1/2)