The Little Peeps and www.hamminitup.net

It absolutely had to happen, The Little People Network. The surprise was that it did not happen sooner!

Glen Thurman’s web site, The Little People Log http://members.cox.net/kn6z/littlepeoplelog.htm, is just that, a log.
Though most probably enjoy the fruits of kn6z’s painstaking, night after night work, and keeping track of the Barneys etc, there is no interactivity.

The Little Peeps are ‘graced’ in that artie w6obb (the Lord of the Loop) smiles upon their group (even sometimes joins them), therefore their audio gets streamed though the Pahrump Receiver.

With the addition of http://www.hamminitup.net/ , they now have a place to post their own pics, comments, questions, and polls. (Go make a comment, or ask a question!)

(Perhaps a future place where they can stream audio if artie cuts them off?)

The Little People’s Network is well laid out, (obviously a template, but hey!), pleasing to the eye (other than terribly small text in the body of the page!), has a few well-known links (but not one to HamFanz!), and a potential to grow into a strong component for the Little Peeps AND their listeners. However, the page tends to 'hang' up IE7...THAT needs to be fixed!

Good for them!

Gracious LittlePeeps

Last night, the Little Peeps were extremely gracious as artie w6obb, and Stan wg6k invaded their frequency; especially Glen kn6z. and Moody wq6i.

Stan wg6k moves around the bands often, to see whats going on, and seems comfortable everywhere. But artie w6obb? Abandon the Elites? I smell a 'rat'...

Here's a great clip of artie saying something I am sure he 'choked' on:

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/22/1450734/2008.06.09_w6obb%20BackToGlen.mp3

As usual, the full unedited recordings are on the now HamFanz FREE Secret Page!

Greg Sousa w6ezv, Spreading his Wings

In recent weeks, Greg w6ezv, has been heard on The Short Attention Span Network. But last night, he not only got on with The Little Peeps, but when questioned why he was there, he replied, and it sounded truthful to me.

There was then an absolutely GREAT discussion about Art Bell and the Elites by ag7g, wq6i, kn6z, w6ezv and others.

If you did not get to listen, you can find it at (for a couple of days only!): http://www.hamfanz.com/AudioClips/Clips.html

Where's my Barney?

I do not listen to the Little Peeps on 3.688 often enough to know how often a Barney is given. Though if you check out The Little People’s log at: http://members.cox.net/kn6z/littlepeoplelog.htm you will get all the ‘rules’ (and view the nifty grids).

Neither do I know how one gets to be in the ‘Barney Hall of Fame’.

Barney Hall of Fame: Ben KD7BCW, Eric W7ZCX, John W6FE, Cary KD7KAU, Mike VA7MJS, Mike KB1UM, Duane AG7G, Joe KO6M, Bruce W6RAT, Terry KB5B, Chuck KE3KR, Moody WQ6I, Bob AF6D, Mike AA8KB, Conrad N7EN, Randy KC7ZNA, Gary ZL3SV, Mark K6FEJ, Mark K6MJD, Larry W5HO, John K7PRS, Gregg AE6FN, RoboLon KE7BBX, Dave WA6DAC, Bruce N6THN, Gary W6FH, Kevin K7TST, Art W6OBB, Kevin AD8Q, Iain K6IAM, Bob K6MIT, and Tom W7PD.

I do not even know if there is a picture (or trophy?) of The Barney Award.

I do know that Glen Thurman kn6z, has taken an unfocused ‘loose’ bunch of ABANDONED Hams and turned them into a cohesive group. He consistently and graciously puts in a great deal of work keeping it all together for the Little Peeps.

Some call them boring, but the conversations are far ranging and carried on in a polite and socially acceptable manner. They cover such topics as astronomy, WARFA doings, and current events as well as the mundane.

But, the BURNING ISSUE here is, are there ever going to be ‘Honorary Barneys’?
(And what the hey is the plural of this use of Barney, anyways???) If so, where and how would one apply?

You can hear for yourself, this week’s listing of ‘Barneys’”
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/22/1450734/2008.05.07_Barny.mp3

The Little Peeps

I am so glad that I listened to a couple of hours of sanity (often boring but usually sane) before the Elite's meltdown last Friday night. Actually I listen to The Peeps fairly often.

For the past few months, I've been calling the group of Hams that gather now on 3.688, 'The Little Peeps'. I have even been naming their recordings peeps1, peeps2, etc.

I've always disliked their name 'Little People' forced on them by another Ham in a derogatory manner. And for some reason, to me, it also seemed associated with real 'Little People', those of short statue. And therefore, NOT theirs to use...

I was always surprised that they 'took' it as their own, have suggested on several occasions that they choose a more appropriate name. They have not.

So, I have found the perfect name for them! 'The Little Peeps'.

Why you may ask? Well in past years 'peeps' has come to mean people, friends, close pals ( http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=peeps ).

But also because of the ORIGINAL PEEPS ( http://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/ ). The candy! The common, soft, sweet, pliable. many shaped, many colored, sugar coated, marshmallow concoction that almost everyone loves.

I have been planning for awhile now to announce this name change (a 'vanity' group name, if you will) during this very Easter Season. So despite Glen Thurman kn6z, being on vacation, and the antics of the Elites, (Which the HamFanz Grudge Report also named), here is the BIG announcement....The Little People are now 'The Little Peeps'. (Could there be a better, more descriptive name? I think not!)

The Elites are Back

Last night, after almost two weeks of ‘group’ silence, the Elites, Ben Gardner kd7bcw, Art Bell w6obb, Scott Barris k7mix, Jim Watkins ki6gu, (sans Greg Sousa w6ezv) returned to the air.

After ‘leaking’ to the chat boards where they would be, sure enough, the Elites appeared on 3.807 after midnight.

Though both kd7bcw, and w6ezv have been heard, not together, on different frequencies in the last couple of weeks, and artie was on briefly with the Little Peeps a couple of nights ago, mainly, they have been quiet. This uncharacteristic ‘silence’, which spilled over to the Ham sites and chat rooms, promoted wild conjecture and supposition among Hams & SWL’s.

When in reality it was probably just another ‘split’, or a clash of egos. Rumor has it that there was a big blow up, with Sousa w6ezv being the instigator.

The Elites tried to pick up where they left off, rather unsuccessfully, their return boring and anticlimactic.

While they were off air, life went on; there was some terrific listening on The Short Attention Span Network, and even Glen Thurman’s kn6z, description of his upcoming vacation on the Little Peeps was more interesting than the secretive antics of the Elites!

By eliminating anyone interesting from their ranks, the Elites have reduced themselves to a little clique of predictable ‘worshipers of the loop’ (artie).

This audio clip is from the first on air minutes of 3.807 last night. The full audios will be uploaded to The HamFanz Secret Page.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/22/1450734/2008.03.19_3708%20GuOffAir.mp3

Little People Packing up and Moving

I did hear it announced on air recently, but I also just checked out the LITTLE PEOPLE website http://members.cox.net/kn6z/littlepeoplelog.htm. And sure enough, just a couple of paragraphs under the EGO GRID (Fun! Dontcha just love it?) was the announcement: "In less than two weeks WE ARE MOVING to 3670 or thereabouts."

I don't know WHY they are moving, don't listen enough to really know, and Glenn Thurman, kn6z doesn't say on his log.

But wouldn't this be a great time to CHANGE THEIR NAME???

After all 'THE LITTLE PEOPLE' is a moniker that Jim Watkins ki6gu, coined and applied to that specific group of Hams. Yes, this would be a fortuitous time indeed, for that group to PICK their own name!

All in favor, raise your hand!

The Art (w6obb) of Domination

“I really am a strong personality, and it is not unusual for me to dominate other people.” This is a quote from THE ART OF TALK by Art Bell, published by Paper Chase Press, 1998.

So is this what artie did to ‘rid’ himself of his Amateur Radio headaches? And just how did he do it?

After a month’s long hiatus, during which he may have taken the back seat, perhaps trying to wait out the solution to all the thorns in his side (Hams), artie stepped forward to solve his Ham woes.

For awhile artie hung with the Little People on 3.678. He was accepted, welcomed even. Ahh, but another thorn in artie’s side; he was not worshiped, nor the leader (though he tried a coup). After month’s of being left to their own devices, The Little People had formed a fairly cohesive ‘group’ of their own; they had a format, and each had a role with Glenn Thurman kn6z being the glue. So artie wisely moved on (as was predicted in The HamFanz Grudge Report as early as July 2, 2007 http://hamfanz.blogspot.com/2007/07/art-bell-w6obb-retires-again.html).

Now 3.720 is ‘his’ and it is pre-stocked with the chosen. (A sub-cult of the Cult of the Loop?). The elite, Hams that artie enjoys talking to, AND who could be manipulated, bought (in one way or another), or blackmailed into complying to artie’s domination. The starting line up for 3.720 consists of: Jim Watkins ki6gu, Scott Barris, w6edv, Bill Houlne wb6bnq, and Jim Southwick n7js. (With w6wbj and w6txh dropping in just because they cannot resist it once in awhile, but not to the point of vexing artie!) Most are former acquaintances/enemies, or Hams that artie himself alienated in recent years.

But how exactly did artie ‘dominate’ all these Hams, bend them to his whim, to accomplish the forming of the 3.720 Elites? Does no one else think it odd that in about one month’s time:

-ki6gu left 3.840 something he swore he would never do
-n7js shut down his online tuner, thus 3.840 would have a much diminished audience, and there would be few recordings of the anti-artie rants floating about?
-w6wbj STOPPED all jibes, insults, verbal and written attacks on artie?
-w6wbj and w6txh seem to have stopped jamming the Elites

Well I think it is strange! Though I know that numerous phone calls, emails, and chats initiated by artie were the starting point, or the basis of arties domination of these Hams; I cannot help but wonder what else was involved.

I think a LOT more than calls and emails went on behind the scenes. Did he threaten some with litigation (w6wbj, k6txh)? Did he somehow ‘buy off’ the materialistic Rev n7js, into closing a tuner that had been his second hobby for 5 years? Did he offer ‘friendship’ and trips to Pahrump to the lonely ki6gu?

“When I decide to do something, I insist it be done my way. No exceptions. And if there are other people involved in what I am doing, they must conform to my direction”, still another quote from THE ART OF TALK by Art Bell, published by Paper Chase Press, 1998.

It would seem that Hams do not read books, which is really too bad, as THE ART OF TALK is nothing but an artie manual. Or they do not mind, or actually prefer, being ‘dominated’ and manipulated by artie...

Art Bell w6obb, Should Not Have Bothered

upgrading his License. He sticks out like a sore thumb on 3.678. Sorry, but he just is not as boring or as dull as almost everyone else is there.

Is there a requirement that if you are mannerly and considerate of others, you have to be boring? I do not think so. That is what has happened to 3.678 since artie made his appearance. I liked it much better when Glen Thurman kn6z was in the ‘lead’.

On top of which, when artie is on 3.675, most of the other Hams involvement and participation is limited in the extreme. They are walking on eggs so to speak; it is the old ‘you could cut the tension with a knife’ situation.

Is it because they do not want to inadvertently touch on a topic, or say something to ‘upset’ artie, or that they are resentful of his intrusion on their frequency (which they worked hard to build up) and just will not say so.

Artie, stop trying to ‘fit in’, it does not suit you. Get back to 3.720, and let them come to you (those that want to, that is)! Let the Little People's Network be what they are...

Withdrawal?

It’s been over a month now since Jim's Tuner n7js, went down and I'm still suffering withdrawal symptoms.

I sorely MISS listening to the Short Attention Span Network of an evening! I do not even know how my 'god-dog' Cookie is doing or his pal Tony ae6qv!

Off and on, (and when someone is there), I do listen to the 'Little People' on the Pahrump Receiver. All I can say about that is it is better than nothing. (Why do so many of the 'Little People' have the same ‘voice’? Glenn kn6z, Moody wq6i, and Ben kd5bcw being the exceptions.) I must try to remember to tune in Saturday nights to hear the 'Little People' rendition of the 'Barny Song'. Right...

Actually, much has happened during the month since Jim's tuner has been down, in the background so to speak, some of it Grudge worthy, some not! (I WAS right about Ben kd5bcw, yes?).

Do not worry, dear readers, by the temporary lack of HamFanz Grudge Reports (I have been busy with other things!) as I have made note of it all; have ‘reports’ I am working on, stuff in process. I will not forget and all will eventually be revealed...

Chuck/Karen Larimore w6so or...

It would seem that last Sunday evening, according to The Little People Log, which Glenn Thurman kn6z keeps, recording the ‘happenings’ of 3.765. (and I enjoy reading every so often). That Chuck Larimore of Sun City, was on air (wonder if Art Bell w6obb, getting back on air recently has anything to do with Larimore showing up?).

Now, wouldn’t you think that ‘Chuck’ would email old friends when he was going to be on air so we could listen?

Glenn’s Little People Log states that ‘Chuck’ is now ke7kw, but this must be a typo as http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HamFanz/.

Plus, it’s just plain interesting to see what Larimore is going to ‘morph’ into next...

Glenn Thurman kn6z, and the videos - Part 2

Hmmm. Now when you click on one of the YouTube http://www.youtube.com/ links for the videos of Art Bell’s w6obb, guesthouse that Glen Thurman personally filmed, then posted to YouTube sometime in early January 2007, you get the message, “This video has been removed by the user” in bright red letters.

Try it yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nNHKQFFJtk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySxGlxSIzzk

Nor could I find any mention in Glenn Thurman’s ‘Little People’ log or blog, http://members.cox.net/kn6z/littlepeoplelog.htm of the videos’ being removed, or why. Though I must admit, I did not read EVERY word the guy wrote, just scanned, as the guy is full of verbiage among other things. If you find such a reference, please let me know.

So now the question is, why did Glenn Thurman w6nz, remove these two erudite and educational (yea, right!) Trailer-Trash type videos from YouTube? Apparently, at one time or another, he thought it a good idea to post them, and circulate the url’s among the HAM masses. He may have even asked the opinion of other ‘Cult of the Loop’ members about doing so.

What changed Glenn’s mind? Did artie do one of his renown “If you do/don’t, I’ll have my lawyer call you” routines on unsuspecting, loyal, and artie fan extraordinaire Glenn? That would surely be my guess!

If that was the case, then Glenn Thurman had a very long ‘honeymoon’ phrase with artie, as most of us get this plaintive threat within months of our first artie contact, ‘cause there is a lot of stuff artie does not like! Though I don’t personally KNOW of a single instance of artie’s legal eagles actually contacting someone; after all, that would mean artie would have to actually sign papers and spend $$$.

So Glenn, what lame excuse are you giving to the ‘Cult of the Loop’ members about making, posting, and then removing these videos of artie’s guesthouse? Did artie’s lawyers actually contact you, or was the threat enough?

Glenn Thurman kn6z, still one more HAM with no ‘class’

Is it just me??? If I were invited to be someone’s guest; I would NEVER video-tape the event or the premises. Nor would I post said video on YouTube!

What is this ‘Cult of the Loop’ mentality? Why does the worship of Art Bell w6obb, only a very MINOR celeb in the grand scheme of things, turn people who otherwise seem to practice socially acceptable behavior, into complete nerds willing to abandon all their culture mores in the blink of an eye?

Why is it that any type of contact, even incidental, with Art Bell w6obb, means common sense and manners go out the window? Have these folks NEVER had contact with celebrities? Don’t they know ‘celebrities’ are just people?

Is Glenn Thurman ‘trailer trash’ as are so many of the HAMS of the Cult, even though he holds some kind of job and lives in a real house? Has he just been hiding it under a thin veneer? Or does ‘trailer trash’ culture and mentality rub off; transfer, with just the barest of personal contact.

Glen claims to be a ‘friend’ of Art Bell, or at least an acquaintance. But what Glenn Thurman kn6z, did by making and publishing these videos proves he is only another fan or stalker. A ‘friend’ would not have done this. A friend would have been concerned with Art Bell’s privacy, and with the ‘trust’ of a personal relationship, no matter the depth or type.

Art Bell w6obb, no matter his OWN shortcomings as a Human Being (and they are many!), graciously supplies, to invited folks, the use of this ‘guest house’ so guests don’t have to pay for a motel room. A ‘guest house’ I may add that he and Ramona spent much time, money, energy on; buying, refurbishing, decorating, and furnishing, so their family and guests would be comfortable when visiting.

And why would Glenn make these videos anyway? It’s not like its ‘new’ material. Art Bell has posted in numerous places, on numerous occasions, pictures of his own digs, and of the ‘Guest House’, of which he is rightfully proud.

No, the ONLY reason for Glen Thurman to do this is to show his own presence at artie’s digs. To prove he’d been invited; to jockey for position in the ‘Cult of the Loop’ hierarchy. And because he has no ‘class’.

In case you have not yet seen them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nNHKQFFJtk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySxGlxSIzzk

Another HAM Hits the 'net with a Whimper

This one is a ‘log’ authored by Glen Thurman kn6z titled: The Little People Log.

It made its ‘little’ debut on 6.20.06. You can find it at: http://members.cox.net/kn6z/littlepeoplelog.htm, or just go to HamCams and click on his picture, which is how I found the new log.

Though I enjoyed reading ‘The Little People Log’, there is much ambiguity and confusion here.

First, Glen states: “Only Little People make my list.” Well, what the hell does that mean at the top of a log? And what list? And aren’t ‘little people’ folks with small bodies, like Billy Barty? Or is this a misnomer and Glen really means ‘small minds’?

Then, I was surprised that Glen opened his ‘Little People Log’ with a famous poem of T.S. Elliot. What does this mean? It is confusing. Is Glen calling T.S. Elliot ‘a little person’? Is he suggesting that the ‘Little People’ actually will understand this much studied and complex verse? Does he think the ‘Little People’ will even recognize the famous bard’s name, let alone understand the multi-syllabic words without a dictionary in hand. Or the thoughtful meaning and symbolism of the poem? Is he challenging them to do so? Is his ‘teacher’ status coming to the fore?

Thankfully, here the ambiguity ends. Glen makes no bones about it, the new entity is a log, not a blog, which is fine by me as I enjoy reading all of ‘em. In fact, the straight reporting style of on air happenings (and Glen’s daily life), sans verbose meanderings, multi-links, flashing ads, and contentious replies, is refreshing.

But then, how can you object to a simple list of QSO’s and static reports? Though I am sure someone will, given time...

Glen also states that the ‘Little People Log’ is an experimental project and that he will probably tire of it. I hope not. Besides, it already has 266 hits. So go read it, fast! Before it’s gone.

Resolutions THEY should Make!

I resolve….

k4ze, Tennessee Trish, – to accept my OWN voice and diction, and be proud of it!
kd7bcw, Big Ben, – to find somewhere else to put my heart other than my sleeve!
kd7kau, Carey, – to stop saying that I’ll be back, cause I won’t.
kg6thx, SteveO, – to stay ON that wagon! That’s all I’m gonna say about that.
ki6gu, Burbank Jim, – to buy & read Etiquette for Dummies by Sue Fox, just for fun!
kn6z, Glen, – to find something ELSE to take pics of!
ks7o, Sue, – to read: Antenna Theory & Design by Robert Elliott
n5mza , Timmie, – to find something to do AWAY from the radio!
n6ayj, Billie the Vile, – to stop defecating in my own back yard.
n7js, Utah Jim, – to learn to rock the boat when I think it’s needed.
w6ezv, Greg the goon, – go to anger management classes and never threaten anyone again!
w6mku, Joanne – to remain always haughty.!
w6obb , artie, – to stop being so bossy, or un-retire, or both!
w7mag, Paul, – to put in writing what’s acceptable or not on HamCams.
w7lw, Melba Mac, – to send a few of those extra cow pies to some 3840 extra HAMS.
wq6i, Moody, – to intervene with sanity and a soothing voice instead of slinking away.