1	Hams & Rail Fans/Enthusiasts – Related Loves, Related Hobbies Valli Hoski June 9, 2007 All content © 2007 by Valli Hoski, except Saginaw photos. Saginaw photos © 2007 John Morris.
2	Agenda Who are we? How are we similar? Different? What rail fanning do hams do? How can ham radio help rail enthusiasts and rail events? What ham radio events have commemorated rail history and rail events? What’s coming up with railroading fun in Dallas and Fort Worth?
3	Who Are Rail Enthusiasts? Like hams, we share … A love of the hobby Spirit of adventure Real, hands-on activities Fascination with technology Many ways of enjoying ourselves Modeling Prototype (“12 inches to the foot” scale) Collecting
4	How Are We Similar? Different? Hams must be licensed. Rail fans are not. Hams ride trains and talk on radios. Rail fans ride trains and talk to each other. Hams build small scale projects, and large antennas. Rail fans build small models, and enjoy prototype scale (12 inches: foot). Hams have hamfests. Rail fans have railfests. Hams talk around the world. Rail fans ride rails around the world, and talk all about it. Hams do it with frequency. Rail fans do it with frogs and switches.
5	Similar, But Strange? Hams have Field Day. Rail fans have “24 Hours @ Saginaw” Both are equally strange to outsiders?
6	“24 Hours @ Saginaw” 2007 – The Rail Fans’ Field Day
7	We Do Logs Hams have … Log Book QSL Cards Certificates PSE Schedules
8	“24 Hours @ Saginaw” – Visual Spotting “Log”
9	“24 Hours @ Saginaw” – Visual Spotter’s “Log”
10	“24 Hours @ Saginaw” – Visual Spotter’s “Log”
11	“24 Hours @ Saginaw” – Visual Spotter’s “Log”
12	We Eat. We Use Computers. Scenes from your radio club? From “24 Hours @ Saginaw”? Who said who was strange?
13	What Rail Fanning Do Hams Do? Operate “rail mobile” Provide nets for onboard logistics and excursions Commemorate rail history and community with public service events Chase, photograph, and just sit back and enjoy the trains going by
14	Rail Mobile In WI ‘n’ MN
15	Rail Mobile In Kansas
16	Special Trains – Great Circus
17	How Can Hams & Rail Fans Work Together? Do Field Day “rail mobile” Do a public service event for a rail anniversary Educate the railroads on the value of ham radio services and emergency support Do mutual projects with modeling skills – soldering, electronics, design, RC
18	Field Day 2006 @ TSRR
19	Rockville Bridge – 100^th Anniversary
20	How Has Ham Radio Commemorated Railroading? Over the years, many types of public service events Trinity Railway Express Service – 2001, Dallas & Fort Worth Historical Rockville Bridge – 100^th anniversary Illinois Railway Museum – 50^th anniversary J611, N&W Railway – Roanoke Valley ARC
21	Trinity Railway Express 2001
22	Irving, Texas – 100^th Anniversary
23	J611, Roanoke, Virginia
24	Eland Junction - Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western
25	What Can We Build Together? Love of both hobbies contributes to Technology skills Modeling and construction activities Social aspect of hobbies Swap fests Encouragement, education and mentoring of youngsters Mutual Field Day activities
26	Where Will You Be In 2008? Come to Lone Star Rails 2008 – NRHS National Convention in Fort Worth Explore local rail lines and history Enjoy local events related to area railroads Get “behind the scenes” at local historical lines, rail operations, and rail industry Take a break with “alternative activities”
27	Lone Star Rails 2008
28	CQ Rail Fans! Hams talk via skip. Rail fans talk with Skip. And here he is … Skip Waters, Lone Star Rails 2008 Convention Chair
29	Gotta Head On Down The Track Thanks for coming! Please share your love of the hobbies! Stop on by a North Texas Chapter NRHS meeting, or visit us at Lone Star Rails 2008! N8QVT two stepping out with K3EYL