IT'S PARTY TIME 2022 IN DEL MAR, CA

Click Image Above to See More Pics at Our New Eyeball Meetups Page n . . .

Time for more stuff . . .

FOR THE LOVE OF SAILING TWO HAMARINERS MEET Jonathan Ayers & Jeanne Socrates with the Sea and Ham Radio in Common Two sea captains. Both Ham Radio Operators. One who has now traveled around the world, twice, as a world record holder; and the other from tours as a commercial sea captain. A briney story indeed. Jonathan lent a hand tuning up Jeanne's onboard ham radio station. Both enjoyed each other's company as they shared stories and enjoyed a happy afternoon in Berkeley Harbor. Thanks Jonathan for sharing.

On Board the Nereida with Jan (mid), Jonathan (rt) & David

Start Your Mornings on 7.155

GREETINGS!
Hi Everyone, both New and Long-Term Burnt-Out or Lightly Fried Hams.We want you to know that you are welcome here. Our Group, Group 7155, meets around 7am PT and lasts until about 8:30 or 9:30am PT

We started out as a party of three around 2010 and grew and grew. My how time flies! We start milling around on 7.155 MHz at approximately 1415 UTC 7 days a week and last about 90 minutes, give or take. We welcome everyone to join in. We use Netlogger and 4 very powerful SDR's (Sedona, Utah, Half Moon Bay and Kiwi - see them below). We talk about lots of Topics: antennas, RF, SWR, SDR, new amps, movies, RV maintenance, towers, masts, 64/1 baluns, new and old radios, amplifiers, how to make coffee, how to make tea, movies, but we have a solid rule, no politics, swearing (which politics can cause), off-color jokes, and no religion which is a wonderful thing but not a good topic for ham radio.

JUST A WORD OR TWO REGARDING POLITICS AND RELIGION.
Please don't use our Group to fan out political hate mail to our members. We don't want it, we don't need it and it doesn't belong here. We are not political. And quoting John Lennon, "...no religion too. Imagine all the [hams] living all in peace. "You make think" we're all [weirdos, but our radios] can live as one."
Thank you John. and take a break from politics, you'll live longer... and your family misses you.

And, if you have had an interaction with another member of the Group, please remember, we all care for each other - no, really, we do, but sometimes we don't agree. Solder happens. When that oppositie the positive pole agreement causes a rift, please don't leave because of that - it leaves a spot that we simply can't fill. There will never be another you.

Okay, whew, let me get my broom out and dust things off. It is common sense and it makes it so much nicer to be a part of an easy-going group that you can join in without feeling like an outsider or you need an opinion to belong to Group 7155. Happy, laughing, socialable, creative, jovial, warm ... I could think of a million more.

Please scroll up and read the "The Amateur's Code" in the introductory links above. Scroll up and it is in the second to last blue block. Have pride in your radio achievements and the fast friends, with bright minds, you have met over the years because of this hobby. Now that's something to jump up and down about (but not frantically, unless you own a Henry and it's spark just missed you but centimeters).

Remember, this is one of the finest hobbies in the world that includes a real, honest to goodness FCC license and is the top of the class. That's it, I think you've got it; and we hope to hear from you soon.

EXTRA, EXTRA - THE MOST DREADED EXAM
if you've stumbled in here out of band, don't be embarrassed, read the link, "EXTRA HAM EXAM" that is also above on the right-hand panel -- and come right on back to let us know you passed. You won't be the first to have Stumbled In and then Strolled Back In, Paper in Hand. It makes us very happy for you that you are now full-privileged and can tune up and down all of the bands. Think of it. That's a good feeling, isn't it? Yeahhhhh!

 

 

 

 

NOOOOOO! Let's NOT become a Net, Not a Net, Not a Net ... please, pause

 

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PAUSE
BEFORE
PRESSING

It is so simple. Here is a guy (someone we have never met before) running up to the elevator trying to get. When this happens Person A has a choice to let them in while Person B let's them pound sand.

Who are you? Person A or Person B?

Now, transfer that thought over to ham radio. When you the mike is passed to you, do you pause in case someone wants throw out a comment or their call sign just in case? Notice how when a gap is left it encourages real conversation on whatever topic we are covering at the time.

Or do you quick-click the mike?

Do you see any correlation here? Well, I hope so, and if you do, the next time it is your turn at the mike I am asking you to please pause and let that poor soul in. It is easy. Hold the elevator door. Otherwise he might just figure we don't care and go on his merry way. So, do the right thing, let one breath out, then push the button.

Hold the Elevator Door. It's just the nice thing to do.

 

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Who do you want to Roundtable with?

Even though we use NetLogger, we are just a bunch of guys yackin' about a hobby they truly love and every-single-thing that goes with it. When the group gets large we invoke a 2 minute rule at the mike so everyone can get a turn. When I first joined in 2013 I learned a lot about how to set up my station and trim my antenna - and then so much more. We have nuclear scientists, rocket scientists, engineers, lab workers, and ex-horsemens, ex-ship captains, pilot, truck drivers, ex city officials, regular Joes and more.

Put on some free ears!

SDR IMAGE LINKS (shown below): You will notice they not only take you directly to the SDR, they are already set up for our frequency! Tip: Use Edge, Opera, Safari or Firefox as your browser. If you try using Internet Explorer you will most likely have "no-audio" issues. Now, these SDRs count on donations, so don't forget to make yours to these fine SDR people who work hard so you can hear all the stations in your group.

Here are the SDRs we use:

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...

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And Now! Here is NetLogger:

NetLogger: Probably one of the greatest tools for hams yet is netLogger.We use NetLogger to aid in making sure everyone gets to have a turn at the mike. NetLogger is a great software program, has chat too. So if you don't have it you should get it, and it is FREE. Makes it so easy to follow the Group. Just click the netLogger logo link below.

 

Need NetLogger? Get the latest release at:

USING NETLOGGER IS PRETTY GARSH-DARN SIMPLE:
In the morning I click on the Netlogger icon and it fires up -- then I see a blank form in front of me -- So what do I do? I click-on the blue/tourquise rectangular button labled SELECT NET right under the UTC clock and a little to the right). Magically a list pops up -- look for Group 7155 in the list -- hightlight it and go to the bottom of that page and hit SELECT NET; then, if we are gathering you will see our Call Signs, Names, etc. Once you are visible to our moderator he will add You to the list. (Note: You cannot add yourself or others, Because that requires a Password. More on this when you have your turn at the mike to intro yourself and ask Qs.

 

One can always use a little wire

 

And Please Consider:

THE 7155 STORY HOUR PRESENTS

Seven Bridges
by Ken O'Neill, W6BQZ
© 2022 sole rights

 

Seven Bridges

The Old Ford had seen better days, but the engine, well,

it worked just fine.

I'ts back seats had been removed

to make it perfect

for transporting heavy stacks of

new found treasures.

It had been packed in the dark and intolerable cold

the night before.

Ken turned the page, looked at his son

and said,

"Want to hear more?"

* * * * * * * *

Gil smiled at Rocco as they ceremoniously slammed the aging van's double doors and sprinted to their seats, warming their hands on hot drinks until heat arrived. Rocco chose black tea and Gil's was a large vanilla bean who then passed an orange soda to Chuck who was laying in the back with his body twisted on flowered couch pillows surrounded by rusted coils and push-up poles.

"You guys ready for this? Fasten up," Rocco said. "If we are lucky we'll beat whatever mountain traffic is up here."

"Ready ready." Gil said.

"You're worried about traffic? At this hour? Are you kidding me?" Chuck's sleep deprived voice echoed from the back of the van. "I hope this everything is secured."

"You supervised, Chuck." Gil grinned. "It better be."

Chuck didn't care. Even with his crutches and body jammed in between stacks of boat anchors he was in his glory. After all, his crutches were always at the ready to nudge one of the front seats if "it comes to that" to get their attention. He lost horribly in the game of Upwards the night before to determine "who got shotgun or who got floor," but the outcome was inevitable given his current predicament. He couldn't sit anyway. In truth, he was where he needed to be and they were all set for the ride from Upper Toulomne down through Tioga Pass - "90 minutes, tops."

"I can't wait to get home. I feel like a forest gnome," said Chuck. "Turn on the radio guys."

Through the static the Eagles crooned,

"There are stars in the southern sky

Southward as you go

There is moonlight and moss in the trees

Down the seven bridges road."

 

"That's a great song. I heard Joe Walsh wrote that one," Gil commented.

Rocco replied, "No. Joe wrote several songs, but not that one. A guy named Steve Young wrote it. Great song I must say given that Young was more of a Honky Tonk man."

Off to the South in the meadows an array of birds appeared and darted skywards rolling and crisscrossing in the slate colored dawn.

Gil pointed, "Look at that, so fast and from out of nowhere - and all in perfect unison. I think they must have heard our engine starting."

Rocco said, "Roger that. But look, it's the unison part that makes me ponder. Not a one smashed into each other. It's like they're painting a picture and sending a message. If only life was like that we all would be more careful so as not to splatter on others."

"Here, here." Chuck said. "Fourty is getting atrocious these days. You'd think the FCC was accepting CB licenses."

Rocco added. "It's politics that has no place in radio. Once that door is opened everything goes to hell quickly."

Gil scolded, "Okay guys. Happier thoughts."

Moments later they were trundling down a slushy Highway 120 where they spotted cones ahead and men with flags alerting them that there was road work ahead.

"Hey, what's goin' on. Why we slowin' down? This is Sunday and there isn't supposed to be road work on Sunday." said an annoyed Chuck.

 

~~~~~~

 

"Looks like there's been an avalanche," Gil reported as he walked back to the van. "They told me it happened around 3:30am - and the road is now blocked indefinitely."

"Where is it? Chuck demanded.

Gil replied, "Well they told me . . .

As he spoke the ground moaned a soft rattle, spraying the dawn sky with dust and dirt as it flashed through the trees and blotted out the van's windows.

Gil jumped back in the van and rolled down the driver's window and rubbed his eyes. "Holy ..."

Up to the left a lone boulder nudged slightly. Then rolled and did a drunk walk toward the van. Noses were pressed to the windows.

"Get out! Get out of the van and run!" the pack of cone men yelled as they ran by and disappeared in the rear view mirror.

There was no time. The lone boulder seemed to bounce again and settled against the front driver's side wheel - it's force blowing the back door of the van open with one very large radio careening out of the back, rolling onto it's side and skidding across the pavement. A main tuning knob pops off, rolls and stops under the toe of a boot with its arrow pointing skyward.

Two large wool gloved fingers reach down and pick up the errant knob. Gil turns around to see its owner twirling the knob and staring at the arrow. The new stranger sticks out his other hand and smiles with a toothy grin.

"Hi, "I am Lew. From Rah-moan-ahhhhhhhhhh, California! And you, wellyou have a mess on your hands. Good god. But don't worry, I can help you with that." Walking past the rock as if it didn't exist.

(He tisks)

"Look at that front wheel and this (toe-tapping the fallen radio) ... what is this? Are you guys hunting space aliens?"

"Don't touch that!" Chuck yelled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"Of course we have a spare," Chuck was screaming now, standing supported by his crutches. "Open up the back doors and look to the left between the Vikings - and the fallen crap. Geesh-oh, look what that dumbass rock did to us!"

"Easy Chuck. Easy boy," Gil said. "He's only trying to help. Look what could have happened. We are lucky guys - really lucky that didn't do more damage. Just try and calm down a bit."

Gil looked up over his shoulder at the dislodged granite and mused, "Odd. I would have guessed that all those rocks were happy up there. I guess this one just had to come down for a visit. He'll be missed."

Chuck sputtered, "So I guess I should just go up and shake his -or her - hand. Oh wait, he - or she - doesn't have one. So, maybe I can just say to him - or her - "hey buddy, can you just lean to the left a smidge so I can get this tire iron under your fat behind and let us go on our way?" Chuck started to bang his crutches on the rock face (Gil puts his arms our to protect the rock).

Doing an about face Chuck turns to everyone, "Okay, let's get to work. New guy! What can you do for us today?"

"Don't mind him," Rocco leans into Lew. "He gets like this when he's frustrated. My name is Rocco and that is Gil. What did you say your name was again?"

"I am Lew. From Rah-moan-ahhhhhhhhhh, California!"

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The boys have moved on from focusing on the rock, causisuosly to checking out the slope to see if it is stable.

Chuck looks at Rocco and says, "I don't think this quake, or whatever you wanna call it, is completely over. There's still a lot more up there that looks like . . . " then spins around,

"Oh, man, Oh jeez, God no!"

"What now Chuck?"

"Where the heck is our van?!"

Chuck threw down his crutches and pegged-legged over to the other side of the huge boulder. It was as if he was wishing it to appear, demanding it to appear. He got down on his hands and knees and sniffed the ground. On all fours he looked around to detect any signs of tire tracks, slide marks, scratches in the pavement or twigs on the ground that could have been broken - he slid his palm over the pavement but came up with nothing. Whispering to himself he said, "Zip. Nada. Zilch."

With absolute bewilderment Chuck proclaimed, "It's a miracle! It musta floated it's way up to heaven. Spouted wings and flew up in the breeze. I don't understand this. That jackass rock had our tire pinned. This isn't possible." They, hey wait a minute. Did this guy, pointing to Lew, have anything to do with it. Pointing a finger Chuck goes up nose to nose. "So, did you?"

The others just scatched their heads, looking up and looking over, looking down, then Gil says, "Hey, Chuck" puting a hand on Chuck's shoulder. "Take it easy. Don't go off the deep end.

Chuck rebuffed, "Deep end is the only way I know, Gil. Sorry Lew, we're just bewildered."

"No problem. Let me help in any way I can."

It just made no sense. Then, the ground made a soft nearly undetectable rumble but not enough for anyone to notice given that they were in a sort of shock.

They retreated over to the roadside, Gil was the first one to speak up."Well, I guess we'll just have to find another way of getting home."

Turning around to look down the road the way they came, Rocco said, "It would appear that everyone one of those cars had gone back the way they came. It is totally possible that we may have to hoof it to find help. If only we had reception but we've tried and I can't find any. Chuck will you check your phone and see if you have any?"

Irritated, Chuck groaned, "Mine ran out of charge when we left this morning. There was so much to do last night that I got distracted and forgot to plug it in."

Gil grinned, "Oh Chuck, not you?"

"Ok, so tell me, do you have reception?"

Gil responded, "I don't really rely on my phone and really it's in the van. But, hey, we can do a little hiking and you can wait here for when the working crew comes back. About five miles back I saw a green cabin like the ones you used to be able to buy on a 99 year ...."

"Hey mister. I have some keys for you." A voice that belonged a young man about six foot five, short red hair and green eyes. He was wearing plaid pants, a tee shirt with a logo on it. He loooked up from the ground and then up.

"A weird guy just gave them to me and said you guys might need them. He told me they belong to a car I've never seen before, but it's kind of dope if you ask me." And, pointed with his finger, "It's around there. Follow me."

"Now wait just a darn minute," Chuck said. "You're expecting us to believe ..."

Gil put his hand on Chuck's arm and said, "Play along, Chuck. He's okay, no bad vibes. Let's see where this goes. What else do we have to do."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the distance a towing truck emerges, as if out of nowhere and an older man get's out of his truck..

Getting down from the cab Ed says, "Got any business for me today, gents?"

Rocco replies, "We're about to find out. But thanks, we were about to check out a car our friend tells us is just beyond this barrier.

"No problem. I'll follow you."

 

 

--------- As always, more to come, hope you enjoy--------------

 

 

 

If you like this story and want to see more, please email Ken O'Neill to Ask For More, he will appreciate it.

 

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I am at work making the new layout for year 2023

Here I will work as I go so that anyone can see how I am planning to develop theme for 2023