The Morning Commute "Net"
(I'm sure we can come up with a better name for it..... Nobody has in this amount of time, so we'll stick with this.)
Every morning on the Tracy, CA 2m Repeater which is 146.655 - 100.0pl the informal "commute" net occurs. Although this is more of a talkgroup than a net, net control is usually informally handled by Duane, KG6KFA. This net usually just starts on its own sometime around 5:30-6am weekdays and lasts till, well, till everyone gets to work, gets out of range, or has other things to do. (Which is usually around 7-7:30am), We're also on sometimes in the afternoon and throughout the day, but every morning during the week we try to get on and at least find out what's happened to all of us the past day or so.
Net Regulars:
Duane, KG6KFA, Twain Harte. TCARES Newsletter Extraordinaire/Informal Net Control
Joshua, KD6NIG, Stockton (though usually at work in Tracy)
Buffie, KI6APL, Stockton (Usually on after 7 when the fun is over already and everyone is eating breakfast. Joshua's "better half")
David, KG6SVF, Stockton (though usually exploring the Central CA freeway system via Truck)
Matthew, KD6BWE, Manteca (Usually commuting to Sacramento)*
Beth, KG6SWD, Manteca (Usually commuting over the hill into the bay, Matthews 'better half')*
John, W6SKM, (unknown) (Usually relaxing at home and jumping in when he can)
William, KE7ERQ, Oregon (On the repeater when his truck travels get him in our area)
Dale, KF6YUQ, Columbia (Also usually on after 7 when its all over, but monitoring before, usually)
William, KE7ERQ, Oregon (When in the area delivering or picking up via Gordon Trucking)
Mike, W6MRM, (Usually commuting to work)
(I know this list is incomplete, email me to add more people... kd6nig at sbcglobal dot net)
*Honorary Members-With a better work opportunity, Beth and Matthew have moved to the great state of NY. We'll miss you guys, and hope to hear you when you're out visiting the area! Thanks for being a part of the informal net all of these early mornings.
What is discussed? Anything under the sun. What happened the previous day, happenings at the house, etc seem to begin the conversation. Tangents form quickly and usually are leapt upon. We try our best to pause a bit between transmissions to allow other stations to ID in and get into the 'roundtable' discussion. Stations will drop in and out as need be to concentrate on driving as needed, or to do work, or to do things around the house. This discussion group is informal, though we do try and control the flow of it by creating a order of who is talking and try to stick to it, which allows you to plan for when your turn comes up. Usually Duane arranges this for us as he is retired and not working or driving usually when the 'net' is going on. (hi.)
What do you need to join the net? A proper Amateur Radio License, a willingness to talk, and being up as early as we all are. Sometimes we also talk in the evening, but most of the 'networking' occurs in the morning commute hours.
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The Morning Commute "Net" Bozo Club
The repeater we use has a 3 minute limitation per transmission. Once a person crosses that threshold, the repeater will announce "REPEATER TIME OUT-PLEASE WAIT" until the person finally stops transmitting. Once this occurs, the repeater will announce "REPEATER TIME OUT, (time), BOZO." Thus, the need for the creation of the Bozo club.
Bozo Club Rules:
1) Any person who BOZO's the repeater whilst carrying on a conversation during the informal net in the AM, or at any time really on the Tracy 146.655 repeater joins the club as long as another person witnesses it (which SHOULD happen unless you are talking to yourself on the repeater).
2) The person who has last BOZO'd is "President" of the BOZO club. They continue to be President until someone else BOZO's the repeater. Thus, if people are cautious and stop transmitting at 2:59.999999 the President is safe yet again.
3) Being a member of the BOZO club does not make the person a BOZO in real life, although the wearing of a bright red nose is, of course, not discouraged in the least. We'll even go for the floppy shoe look. Of course, if you really want to go all out with it, you can do that also, though the makeup probably wouldn't be comfortable at work on a warm day.
4) Except for a mention on this website, and likely 'on the air' notice, there are no other benefits to being a member of this illustrious organization. This is all in fun, really. Okay, more than a little on the air notice.
Current "Bozo Club" President:
I didn't witness this Bozo, so the following is from Bozo Retiree in good standing Duane:
Mike Martin W6MRM has elected
himself to the spotlight of President of the bozo club.
He tailed onto a conversation with KG6KFA Duane and did not let the repeater
drop off completely thus he timed out. Dave KG6SVF was also in the conversation
and indicated he had become president by the same manor, and suggested we then
vote among the present members on Mikes nomination. Dave Nominated Mike and in
the spirit of the moment Duane seconded it.
Email dated: May 27, 2006. Welcome to the Club, Mike!
Current "Bozo Club" Vice President:
Previous Presidential Honors/Occurances from the Bozo Club:
March 26, 2006: William ascends to the presidency with a 3:33 second bozo, which not only lands him the presidency, but the record for longest bozo. Talk about starting with a vengance! KE7ERQ is a visiting guest who trucks between Washington and California (and other places at various times).
February 20, 2006: Dave adds to the scoreboard with a 3m 1s bozo. Unknown what the topic was as I was at work and not monitoring at the time.
(12-2-2005) Dave regains the presidency with a 3:04 Bozo. Although he claims that Duane tossed him the bait to cause the bozo, either Duane is a great bozo fisherman, or David is ensuring that he remains the Founding Father. The bozo included discussion about his car and other issues. Dave's project 1970 Hornet is now featured on its own webpage, Click Here to see it.
(9-29-05) Duane scores his second bozo on the board with a 3m 17 second shot over the right field wall. Discussion about his other house in the Bay Area, the neighborhood it is in, etc, etc is the cause of this nice bozo. This occurs one day after Dave's 5th consecutive reelection. (9-29-05)
With this election, the 6am hour is solidified as the best hour for potential bozoing.
(9-27-05) Dave reaffirms his status yet again with a 3m 10s shot over the wall. The 5th term has started!
(8-26-05) Dave reaffirms yet again with a 4th term election-another 3 minute, 11 second decree on the topic of the Dolphin motor home tire saga. The 6am hour now is the new favorite hour for bozos. The repeater owner can be comfortable in knowing there is at least a monthly test of the bozo system (though this isn't required by FCC rules).
Dave reaffirms again with a 3rd term election, this time in the 6am hour with a 3 minute, 11 second decree. (8-3-05). The founding father reigns supreme!
Dave reaffirms his office and as the founding father by electing himself to a second term with a 3 minute 17 second blast over the repeater wall on 7-26 around 3:30pm. The 3pm hour seems to be the golden hour for presidential announcements and decrees.
Dave dethrones Joshua with a discussion regarding weed-eaters and yard work at 3:45PM July 18th, 2005. The Founding Father regains his position, barely tripping the alarm with precisely 3:00 on the clock; but the alarm is sounded and he is elected. Witness Joshua states "Wow, I think he could have gone even longer, but I think he realized he was getting close."
The Bozo Club Executive in Charge of Transportation:
(FRONT) (BACK)
Current "Bozo Club" retiree in good standing:
Current "Bozo Club" Executive in Charge of Presidential Security:
(Front) (Back)
Joshua's Presidency occurred when he went on a tirade about Arnold, the State Budget, and the lack of use of Gas taxes to repair California's shoddy roads. The trucks cooperate and let him talk a nice solid 3:10 bozo. Joshua holds the distinction of being VP for the longest time thanks to Dave's strong running in the Presidential Bozo Elections.
CURRENT BOZO SCOREBOARD:
Mike: 1
William: 1
Dave: 9
Joshua: 1
Duane: 2
Dave continues to reinforce the fact that he is the founding father by making sure nobody gets close to his score. Each and every Bozo from Dave has been solid in content and delivery. Dave earned his current presidency with passion! Duane, with his second Bozo, causes Joshua to fall into third place. Dave has a commanding lead, and with his 5 consecutive terms reelection, will definitely be hard to beat. We wouldn't expect anything less from our founding father.
Longest Bozo: 3:33 by William. Gotta let those finals relax on occasion! (Previous record 3:20 by Dave)
(Note: I know others have BOZO'D before, but I will be fair and only list from recent memory and here forward)
Explanation of the Back of the Bills:
Joshua: Works Security at a distribution center in Tracy
Duane: Retired in Twain Harte, Ca
Dave: Drives truck all over the valley and the Bay Area.
William: Drives for Gordon Trucking.
Mike: Data entry position with the Military.
For more information on the informal "NET" you can contact Joshua, KD6NIG or Duane, KG6KFA, (kg6kfa at arrl dot net) or just join us in the morning-146.655 - 100.0 pl. We would be glad to hear from you.
(As is with every website I make, this is under perpetual construction. Suggestions for content on this page are also welcome! Contact kd6nig at sbcglobal dot net.)
Last update: June 7, 2006