Subj : Other Ham Radio News (1)
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Dec 27 2019 09:23 am
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
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