Joe,

JM>  Another thing that has annoyed me are the lack of signage in some
JM>states.  Its as if one is to be a resident there and know their way around.

<SNIP!>

  Darn it!! If I wanted a tour of the city, I would've arranged it
through AAA. 

JM>   I like it when people give landmarks where to turn.

  If I've talked about this before, I apologize.

  One of the most important items at a ham radio event called a Hamfest
(Ed Vance can vouch for this) is a position called "Talk-In". At one
time, there were "illegal", but the FCC relaxed the rules awhile back to
allow for them. It is helpful to get directions when you're traveling to
a city you've never been to before, to find your destination, instead of
going on a wild goose chase.

  Years ago, I was chairman of the "Talk-In" and "Packet" station at a
local hamfest. Packet is a digital mode of ham radio, that is "error
free". Talk-In provides directions. At the time, I was "legally
blind"...with severe nearsightedness, and 20/2000 visual acuity, because
of ripening cataracts. Those were removed 10 years ago, and now, I have
20/20 vision, with a little bit of astigmatism, and intraocular implants
in both eyes...to where I just need reading glasses.

  But, I recruited 3 totally blind hams to assist me at Talk-In. Now,
while I had to escort them to and from the restroom, and get their food
from the Hamfest Snack Bar, their being at the table allowed me to look
around at the vendors, etc. But, the joke got out that "Talk-In is being
run by 4 hams, who can't see a thing -- and they're giving us directions
to the hamfest!!" <G>.

  However, the kicker was that it was a Friday night, Saturday day
event. They had sealed off the exits on the west side of the complex.
The overhead lighting system in the parking lot was not working, and
they had just paved the parking lot 2 days before, but hadn't striped it
yet. I groaned "I'm lost. I can't find my way out of this parking
lot!!".

  The blind ham in the front seat, grabbed the mic, keyed up the wide
area coverage repeater and announced "QST!! QST!! QST!! This a Talk-Out
Net for the Talk-In Station, who can't find his way out of the Hamfest
Parking Lot!!". I sarcastically said "I want to use your seeing eye
dog!!", to which he replied "He's tied to the front bumper right now!!"
<G>.

  A couple of years ago, I got LOST in a parking deck at a local
hospital, and these blind hams got wind of it. To this day, I get asked
if I need help getting out of parking lots and parking decks!! 

JM>   What I hate are tailgaters.  There is plenty of room to go around and
JM>all but they will get right on my bumper and stay there.  I'm turned off
JM>somewhere just to get rid of them.  Visited a lot of driveways

  I'm starting to do that as well, or take the road less traveled.

JM>  Oddly enough I've not run into that, that I;m aware of.  Almost
JM>everyone has been polite.  Of course it be my WV plates and think I'm
JM>some dumb hillbilly who has never been a town of more tan 500 people
JM>before.  

  Well, if it works. <G>

JM>   Joe (in Hannibal, MO, will visit the Mark Twain house, etc then west
JM>to CO).

  Safe travels.

Daryl

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