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WX4QZ > ALL 30.03.21 02:06l 260 Lines 8813 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 16077_NS2B
Read: GUEST
Subj: PCL NET SCRIBE MAR 29 2021
Path: IW8PGT<LU4ECL<VK2RZ<W0ARP<K5DAT<KE0GB<NS2B
Sent: 210330/0103Z 16077@NS2B.#WNY.NY.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.20
PCL Net Scribe for Mar. 29, 2021
WX4QZ, Daryl, Arkansas (Scribe)
NS2B, Bob, New York (Net Control)
VA7RBP, Rick, Canada
NT5R, Charley, Missouri
** NO NET APRIL 5, 2021 DUE TO EASTER **
** NEXT PCL NET WILL BE ON APRIL 12 **
Comments From NS2B at the bottom
***
WX4QZ:
The COVID-19 stimulus check came in, so
I can pay the $1000 deductible on the
plumbing incident claim at the QTH. But,
I hope it'll also cover the contractor fee
for restoration (which includes a new floor,
2 new cabinets, and maybe 2 new toilets).
Both bathrooms are torn apart; and except
for the toilet in the main bathroom, and the
sink in the kitchen...no plumbing's available.
The kitchen table is my medicine cabinet (I
had to dig through several boxes to find
everything)...so I have trouble finding a
place to eat...and can't afford to eat out.
With continual funding issues, I may have to
postpone the colonoscopy next month, and have
to sell the car; which means my taking Uber
out once a week to the Post Office Box, and
once in a blue moon for appointments...and to
have medications and groceries delivered. Even
if I could put the BBS in the cloud, I can't
kill the internet or phone packages just yet,
due to contracts, and termination fees.
I have to take my taxes to my preparer on
Thursday. I pray I don't have to pay any
income taxes as well...that'd be the last
straw for me in so many ways. I wish I could
get some good news, financial, and otherwise...
I'm long overdue. The stress is going to kill
me, the way things are going.
It's bad enough that I've greatly cut down on
my eating and drinking, and am doing quite a
bit of sleeping, due to depression...as I have
little desire to do anything...even my hobbies.
It's very tempting right now to just chunk it
all and disappear forever...people are tired
of hearing me complain, anyway.
I went to the eye doctor this morning, as I was
having double and blurred vision in my right
eye, after trying to move an uprooted dead tree,
and one of the branches snapped back and nearly
gouged out my eye. The eye pressure was lower
today (11 in both eyes) than 3 weeks ago, but the
diagnosis today appears to be astigmatism. But,
it makes it hard to work at the computer, and do
my ham radio nets. Maybe my body's telling me it's
time to go on an extended hiatus.
File Explorer in Windows 10 64-bit keeps locking up
when I go into the downloads folder. I found a nice
free alternative called Explorer Plus Plus (free and
for either 32-bit or 64-bit systems). I know a
fellow ham who refers to Windows 10 as "Satan's
Little Sex Toy"...never mind there's a brand of
tennis shoes to be released soon with blood drops
on the design, as well as "the Devil's Mark (666)".
Truly, the days of Noah and Lot are upon us.
There were 2 confirmed EF-2 tornadoes southeast of
Little Rock Saturday night...another severe weather
threat is forecast here Tuesday night into Wednesday...
I hate tornado season, and dread hurricane season.
We may see a frost or freeze late this week, which
happens every spring after everything blooms out.
I'm hoping the guy I hired to do the lawn can get by
this week. Yet this time of year, he's busy, and the
grass is too wet to mow, due to the heavy rainfall of
late. If the city cites me again, I may end up going
to jail.
I'm still too young to get my COVID-19 shot, even though
Arkansas' mask mandate is supposed to end Wednesday.
The "emergency order was extended", so the mask mandate
ending may be delayed.
The hobbies aren't even a diversion anymore, and I feel
like just crying incessantly...I feel like I'm cursed
and abandoned.
Bob, as for the eyes, I'm in no danger of going blind.
But, the double and blurred vision in the right eye
with the astigmatism, makes it hard to work at the
computer. The left eye seems to be much better, vision
wise.
As long as the insurance will cover the rest of the
cost after I pay the $1000 deductible...even if it
means new toilets, sinks, cabinets, and the floor...
and if I don't have to pay any income taxes...I'll
be very happy. That'd be a big burden off of me. But,
I'm still not traveling outside the Little Rock area,
if I don't have to...it's too difficult to do so
anymore. I have no idea how long it'll take to get
the bathrooms back to a sense of normalcy.
Rick, I'm supposed to have a colonoscopy on April 8...
but get the nasal swab COVID-19 test on April 5. I
have to pass that before passing other things (hi hi).
The prep work is the worst part, but finding out you
don't have colon cancer, or only the very early stages
of it, makes the prep work all worth it. If you want
some colonoscopy entertainment, do a search on YouTube
for Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall on their experiences.
Having brown eyes is no indicator on how you'll do with
it (hi hi).
Charley, I use the BlueDV program from PA7LIM, with the
ThumbDV from Northwest Digital Radio (it's out of stock
again) to do D-Star, DMR, and Fusion, with the computer
and headset mic. I do mainly D-Star, but have done DMR
sparingly, and nothing yet on Fusion. This way, no rig
or hotspot is needed. I have to log for the Hotspot, RPi,
SBC, and ZumSpot Net on the QuadNet Array tonight. When
I do Net Control here on the PCL Net, I'm Net Control
for that net as well...I rotate out every other week.
Reminds me of the meme, with the ham holding the cardboard
sign: "Not Homeless. Need Help With DMR" (hi hi).
Everyone have a good week, and don't eat too many Easter
eggs...although Cadbury's are more of a sweet treat than
what you get from the chickens (hi hi).
I'll post the scribe later this evening. We'll see
everyone in 2 weeks...as we're taking April 5 off
for Easter.
***
VA7RBP:
Didn't get a lot accomplished last week. I think the
most exciting part was the wife, prepping for her
colonoscopy. She would just get settled watching TV,
and then have to scramble for the bathroom....highly
entertaining.
I did not do a lot of radio work, spent a couple days
trying to figure out the cause of some RFI from one
of the radios at the PREOC, and didn't get very far.
Not much planned for this week either. On Apr 01, we
get to book our COVID vaccination appointment.
***
NT5R:
Good weather here today, 36.7 to 75.0 degrees f
Dentist this morning was cool but put on shorts
when Google said 70s today.
Been playing with DMR last couple weeks. Finally
getting understanding of how it all works after
studying some generic code plugs.
Our Branson club has good DMR repeater just north
of town, so easy connection with ht
Connected via DMR to Connecticut talk group and
could hear myself coming out on Broadcastify web
site on w1aw repeater
Fun stuff but quite a learning curve with the DMR.
Eventually likely get a hotspot. wonder if anyone has
recommendations/thoughts/ideas on that?
Daryl, sounds like you having a better week. Happy
for you about that. Thanks all for info re hotspots.
Been searching for location giving Johnson and Johnson
covid vaccinations. Figure better to just get one
time but not many places with that brand of vaccine.
***
NS2B:
Not ham radio related, but I converted a bicycle to
electric power this week! It was kind of a fun project,
and it's a hoot to ride! Takes all or almost all of
the work out of going up hills!
Daryl, I'm assuming all the parts they need for restoring
your plumbing is available.
Covid wrecked the supply of many things. I had a
kitchen/dining room floor project that started last
July - because the stuff wasn't available that I
wanted they literally finished the project earlier
this month. So 9 months for a floor - sort of like
having kids!!
I heard the other day that Georgia or Alabama (can't
remember wich now) - was on track to have 70 tornadoes
this season. That's too many.
Hope the eyes can be corrected. I do like the Caramel
Cadbury eggs!!
Rick, Well I didn't do much with radio's either, so
don't feel bad.
I got my 2nd Covid shot last Thursday. Felt like I had
the flu Thursday night. All better now.
The prep is the worst part of those things!!
Charley, We're supposed to have that kind of weather
tomorrow. Looking forward to it.
You're right, DMR is a learning curve. And even after
you get the hang of it, codeplugs are tedious -
because it's always Talkgroup -> Channel -> Zone
You don't just add a channel like with other radios.
Hotspots are all over. A lot of people like the
TGIFspot - the openSpots are liked.
I built mine from Chinese parts - building hotspots
can be a bit of a learning curve too.
I was thinking I would like the J&J vaccine too - but
ended up with the Pfizer 2 dose.
But I'm done so I'm happy!
Command Decision: No PCL Net April 5 due to Easter.
We'll Be Back on Monday, April 12.
***
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