Subj : I finally got my license
To   : Ray Quinn
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Oct 02 2020 01:37:00

Ray,

 RQ> Congratulations!! I'm not sure whether or not our VE group is setup for
 RQ> remote testing. I do know that we use Zoom for a lot of things, Club
 RQ> meetings (board & general), and just general stuff.

  My VE Team talked about that, and there are too many logistics to jump
through (collecting money, paperwork, and to be sure there's no cheating).
Plus, most of my team is in "the vulnerable age group" for COVID-19. If we
do testing again, it'll be low contact, in person.

 RQ> ONLY $2000? I lost track a long time ago.

  I think of the meme where the OM laments "My greatest fear is that I'll
die, and my XYL will sell my gear for what I told her I paid for them!!"
(hi hi). I understand that some ham radio vendors, for a fee, will create
"a personalized invoice" for the buyer. But, then I think of the meme
that shows the angry XYL behind the door, as her OM is coming home. There
is a rack with 3 items on it, as follows:

1) Wooden/Metal Spoon - Came Home Late
2) Rolling Pin - Came Home Drunk
3) Loaded Rifle - Bought Another Ham Radio

  Or another one where the YL is sobbing, saying "I said 'It's Me Or The
Radio', and he replied '73 and 88'"!! (hi hi).

 RQ> Talk about extreme boredom. I am on day 44 of "working" on the
 RQ> California wildfires. My job is deliver the dozer and then wait until
 RQ> they need to move it again. I was "staging" at the same location for
 RQ> over a week, going to base camp every night for a hot meal and a
 RQ> shower. The owner of the dozer I am hauling on this trip brought his
 RQ> travel trailer for us to sleep in. I know very much about boredom...
 RQ> zzzzz  zzzz zzzz

  I have 2 other hobbies besides ham radio...square dancing, and the
BBS...mainly so I don't burn out on one of them. I try not to spend
more than 2 hours a day on them. But, some days, I don't feel like 
doing anything. 

  In fact, it has become such "a mad rush" to check into nets by these 
who feel that "they will be sent to Hell if they don't check into every 
net in existence" (there is such a sin to cause that, but missing a ham 
radio net is not that sin). 

  There is NO prize, bonus, award, certificate, etc., for checking into
every net in existence each night. In fact, so many meet at the same day
and time (overlapping), that it's impossible to do so.

  So, I'm only on the air now for a sked (rare), or for nets where I 
have to run it.  

Daryl, WX4QZ

.... If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do Humanitarians eat??
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