Subj : Ham Radio Things
To   : Ed Vance
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Wed Sep 24 2025 10:42:39

Ed,

 EV> Daryl, I am a member, I attended the midnight meeting in
 EV> California in the early 1960's.
 EV> My membership might have expired since I am no longer a ARRL
 EV> member . Once a LID always a LID.

  I'm not sure about that. One ham talked about that on the HandiHams
Daily Net, saying they were going to do that at the Duke City Hamfest
in Albuquerque last weekend. I originally was planning to go, but when
I had to get a new security system, all the trip money went to that.

 EV> The RCC Certificate I earned as a Novice in 1958 may not be
 EV> valid now either? 73 de Ed W9ODR k

  I'm not sure about the other certificates, but I would think that
once you earn them, they're yours for life.

  I fixed a glitch with my eQSL settings, and was told that "I had
gotten in on a good deal" awhile back, when I upgraded to Platinum
Membership. They were taking $30 a year ($2.50 a month from my bank
account), but money got real short this month, that I was going to
downgrade or drop it. The ham I talked to said that the no longer
offered Platinum Membership is Lifetime, and is free. So, that saves
me a few shekels each month.

  I was going to get into a health study with a local hospital, but
being in a fixed income, and having to take Lyft since my vision
won't let me drive anymore, is an economic issue. A very nice nurse
told me that when she lost her husband, that they were going to raise
her rates. She basically told them "you can cancel the policy". Her
view was "if I get killed by a tornado or a tree collapsing onto the
structure, the insurance won't do me any good anyway". I basically
am going to trust The Good Lord to protect me.

  So, I will call the insurance company today and drop them, and
next month, I'll call for that flu shot study. With nearly $500
compensation when it's done, I can't turn that down. Plus, what I
was spending on the insurance will allow me to get some more food;
because I am set to (once again) run out of food before my next
disability payment arrives.

  I tell folks that "Unless you can survive for yourself, your spouse
or significant other, and all your kids...with expenses for food,
medical, clothing, shelter, insurance, transportation, vacation,
personal care, and everything else, on $1400 a month, with nothing to
fall back on...you need to leave my butt alone". I know folks who are
getting less than I am on disability...and yet, you've got these greedy
folks (including members of Congress) who lament that "they can't
survive on $300,000+ a year". They don't have a clue. As Jesus warned,
"Woe to you who devour the fortunes of widows, for you shall receive
the greater damnation"...and He also warned "Vengeance is Mine...I will
repay".

  I guarantee you, if Congress was only paid for when they were in
session, and NOT on recess...and their retirement income would be no
more than 20% of what their benefits were (they'd have to pay for stuff
like the rest of us), they might get more done. They get more time off
for recess than I did in elementary school nearly 60 years ago.

  The money I save will get me adequate food, and allow me to save up
to make plans to attend the HandiHams Radio Camp next September. I am
in sore need of an extended vacation.

Daryl, N5VLZ

.... I'm only one step away from being rich...all I need is money.
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