📋 About NK5LA
The callsign NK5LA stands for the Nathan K5LA Train Horns, created for Amtrak. It is issued in tribute to Daryl's uncle, K3VRM (SK), the youngest engineer ever hired by the Penn Central Railroad, and the only other amateur radio operator in the family. His uncle gave Daryl his love of amateur radio and trains.
The Trains Net
The Trains Net runs on the QuadNet Array on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm US Central Time (unless Daryl is involved with Arkansas Skywarn operations). It is held in memory of K3VRM (SK) and long-time Trains Net participant George Ibaugh, N3ZKV (SK).
QSL & eQSL Cards
Permission has been received from Mike Yuhas, AB9ON, to use one of his copyrighted images on new QSL and eQSL cards. The eQSL card will be used for eqsl.cc confirmations and on QRZ. Due to First Class Postage increasing to 82 cents in July 2026, the physical QSL card will only be distributed at local licence exam sessions and selected hamfests. Logging has been re-enabled on eqsl.cc and QRZ under the new callsign — please be patient on contact confirmations.
Hosting situation
The personal homepage (wx4qz.net) and the Cabot Nightflyers Net page (thecabotnightflyers.net) are temporarily offline during a migration to a new hosting provider. An FTP package has been purchased with Network Solutions. Once the FTP setup is complete with Technical Support, those sites will be restored — including the hyperlink for downloading several ham radio files.
📡 Nets & Activities
Trains Net
QuadNet Array · Friday evenings · 7:00 pm US Central Time · In memory of K3VRM (SK) and N3ZKV (SK).
Arkansas Skywarn
RF operations for weather events — primary exception to internet-only operations.
QCWA Nets
VHF+ Net Manager · Net Control for Digital Net, Arkansas 158 Net, and CQ200 Net.
Handi-Hams Journal
Prepares the monthly audio transcript of the Journal for Courage Kenny Handi-Hams — supporting disabled individuals in obtaining and upgrading their amateur radio licence.
Hamfests Attended
Daryl attends hamfests in the Arklatex region, weather, schedule, transportation, and finances permitting (he no longer drives). Regular events include Hoxie AR (mid–late February), Dardanelle AR (early March), New Boston TX (late May), Shreveport LA (early August), and Mena AR (early September). In 2026, plans include the ARRL National Convention and Huntsville Hamfest in late August, representing the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA). Look for him at the QCWA table.
Operating Modes
Main operations are internet-only due to medical issues: CQ200, Echolink, Packet via Telnet, Winlink 2000, D-STAR, and D-RATS. RF is used for Arkansas Skywarn. Selected HF nets are checked via remotehams.com. Primary operations are within Technician Class privileges.
🏅 Memberships & Roles
Life Member
ARRL · QCWA · PCARS (Ohio) · Courage Kenny Handi-Hams
Regular Member
PDRA (Pennsylvania) · MDARC (Tennessee) · CAREN (Arkansas)
QCWA Roles
VHF+ Net Manager · Secretary, Chapter 158 (Arkansas, re-awakened June 2025) · Net Control, Digital Net / Arkansas 158 Net / CQ200 Net
VE Team Leader
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Ham Radio Club
✉ Contact Information
- Callsign Lookup & Contact QRZ.com — NK5LA https://www.qrz.com/db/NK5LA Full station details, contact information, and QSL policy. You must be logged in to QRZ to view the email address.
- eQSL eQSL.cc — NK5LA https://www.eqsl.cc Electronic QSL confirmations. Logging re-enabled under NK5LA — please allow time for confirmations.
- Nets QuadNet Array https://quadnetarray.net Home of the Friday evening Trains Net. Check in via Echolink or the QuadNet system.
- Disability Support Courage Kenny Handi-Hams https://handiham.org Helps disabled individuals obtain and upgrade their amateur radio licence. Daryl prepares the monthly audio transcript of their Journal.
- Organisation Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) https://www.qcwa.org Daryl serves as VHF+ Net Manager and Secretary for Chapter 158 (Arkansas).
Note: Personal websites wx4qz.net and thecabotnightflyers.net are temporarily offline. They will be restored once the new FTP hosting setup is complete.