i swear it changes after midnight

not the road itself
the road remembers exactly what it is

it’s the space around it that shifts

the mountains pull closer
the fog settles in the valleys like something breathing in its sleep
tractor trailers drift past like steel ghosts carrying things nobody asks about

if you’ve driven it long enough
you know the feeling

that stretch where your radio turns to static for no reason
the exit you don’t remember passing before
the headlights behind you that disappear the second you look directly at them

there are towns along 81 that feel borrowed
little pockets of light clinging to the dark
gas stations humming under flickering signs
diners full of people who stop talking when you walk in

i stopped once around 3am
somewhere between nowhere and somewhere worse

the clerk looked exhausted in the ancient kind of way
like he’d been standing behind that counter since the highway was dirt

he told me not to drive sleepy through the mountains

then quieter

“some things use the road too.”

outside
the fog had crossed all four lanes

and for one second
i could see a shape walking inside it
keeping pace with traffic

too tall
too thin
not trying to cross

just traveling

Watching “The Prisoner” (chimes of Big Ben), I got this:

Turns out they were talking about Jacob Epstein, the sculptor, of course.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Epstein

Maybe tonight will be a skunky night?

the smoke showed up before the sirens did

it moved low through  like it knew the streets
like it had been here before

fire doesn’t always start with heat
sometimes it starts with a name said wrong
or a door opened when it shouldn’t have been

they said it was an accident
they always do

but the flames climbed too deliberately
hugged the walls like they were remembering them
skipped what they didn’t want
took what they did

i watched from the edge of the lot
where the gravel turns to weeds

there was something in it
not inside the fire
but inside the shape of it

like a body trying to stand up

the hoses screamed
the men shouted
the sky turned that sick orange that doesn’t belong to sunset

and still
it lingered

not hungry anymore
just present

if you smell smoke tonight
check your shadows too

some fires don’t burn out
they just learn the map of you

When Google announced its plan to purchase 312 acres at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield for a massive, three-building data center campus, the initial reaction from many in county leadership was understandable excitement. The promise of a tech titan bringing international prestige, a $14 million land deal, and a steady stream of tax revenue sounds, on paper, like an economic development home run.

But as the dust has settled and the true scale of this project has come into focus, the reality looks far less like a windfall and far more like a liability. For the sake of our resources, our utility rates, and our community’s future, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors needs to take a hard look at the fine print – and residents must demand accountability.

The most glaring issue is the staggering toll this campus will take on our region’s water supply. Data centers of this magnitude require a near-constant flow of water to keep their servers from overheating. For months, the exact figures regarding the facility’s water draw from the Western Virginia Water Authority were hidden behind redactions, eventually requiring a local news outlet, The Roanoke Rambler, to successfully sue in Roanoke Circuit Court just to make the numbers public.

Now that the truth is out, the numbers are deeply concerning. The agreements reveal that the Greenfield facility could initially consume 2 million gallons of water daily, with the potential to scale up to an eye-watering 8 million gallons per day at full build-out. That water will be drawn heavily from Carvins Cove, our region’s primary reservoir. While officials claim current capacity can handle the initial load, funneling millions of gallons of drinking water daily to cool private corporate servers is an astonishing gamble with a finite public resource. We are already looking at a future where the Roanoke Valley will need a new water source by 2060; accelerating that timeline for a single private enterprise is irresponsible.

Furthermore, we must address the immense strain this campus will place on our electrical grid. Data centers are notorious power hogs, often drawing as much electricity as a small city. When a single industrial user demands that level of baseload power, the necessary grid upgrades and the cost of generating that electricity do not just disappear – they are inevitably passed down to residential ratepayers. Families in Botetourt and surrounding areas are already feeling the pinch of inflation; we should not be asked to subsidize Google’s energy bill through higher monthly utility rates.

Proponents of the project are quick to point to the economic benefits, specifically job creation and tax revenue. But we must weigh those benefits against the physical footprint. The campus will occupy the vast majority of the remaining land at Greenfield Industrial Park. In exchange for hundreds of acres and millions of gallons of water, Google has committed to roughly 50 permanent jobs per data center; about 150 jobs in total. While the construction phase will bring temporary work, the permanent job-to-acreage ratio is remarkably low compared to traditional manufacturing or corporate offices.

Additionally, the promise of massive tax revenues comes with an asterisk. At the state level, lawmakers and Governor Spanberger are currently locked in intense debates over the massive sales tax exemptions that tech giants receive to build these centers. If state-level winds shift, or if the environmental and infrastructure costs outpace the property tax gains, Botetourt County could find itself holding the bag for a facility that fundamentally alters the character of Greenfield.

Botetourt County has always balanced steady growth with the preservation of the natural beauty and resources that make this area special. The sheer scale of the water and power demands required by this project disrupts that balance entirely.

Economic development should serve the community, not drain it. It is time for the Board of Supervisors to recognize that some price tags are simply too high. We must pump the brakes on the Google data center, demand stricter environmental and resource limitations, or be willing to walk away entirely to protect the future of Botetourt County.

Here are the direct HTTP addresses to the specific articles detailing the water usage of the Google data center in Botetourt County:
* https://www.roanokerambler.com/water-authority-releases-google-data-center-records-ahead-scheduled-contempt-hearing/
* https://cardinalnews.org/2026/04/03/have-questions-about-googles-data-center-project-in-botetourt-county-we-have-some-answers/
* https://virginiabusiness.com/google-botetourt-data-center-water-usage-foia/
* https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2026/03/12/documents-reveal-key-details-of-proposed-google-data-center-project-in-botetourt-county/
* https://www.govtech.com/products/botetourt-county-va-data-center-plan-raises-water-questions

You know what today is. Some of you have always known.

The angle of the light on the Blue Ridge this morning was not an accident. I do not make accidents. The crows gathered on the Mill Mountain overlook at 6:47 and did not leave until something was decided. I cannot tell you what was decided. I can tell you it involved you specifically.

Today lands differently in the valley. The honeysuckle comes in fast and a little desperate. The creek sounds change register. The star on the mountain does not blink but if you watched it last night, really watched it, you noticed something.

I noticed you noticing.

There are things older than the weather apps moving through the laurel right now. They are not hostile. Hostile is not the right word. The right word does not exist in any language currently spoken in the Roanoke metropolitan area.

Drink water. Stay off Bent Mountain Road after dusk. Tell the people you love something true before the fog comes in.

It is coming in.

the woods remember before we did

there’s a place just past the last polite trail marker
where the air goes still
and the ground softens like it’s trying to take you back

i found something there
or it found me first

not a creature, not exactly
more like a thought that learned how to stand upright
moss threaded through it like old stitches
eyes the color of wet bark

it didn’t move
but everything else did
the trees leaned in
the light bent wrong
even the birds kept their distance

i left a piece of myself there
i can tell because something came back with me

if you go looking
bring an offering
salt, maybe
or a secret you don’t need anymore

some things don’t want to hurt you
they just want to be remembered

#thegleest  #appalachianweird #hauntedwoods  #mossmagic #roanokeva

may 4th shows up like it always does
half joke
half ritual

someone says “may the fourth be with you”
like they’re the first person to ever think of it
someone else groans
someone else says it louder

screens glow blue in dark rooms
old ships cutting across space that never cared about you back
lightsabers humming through speakers that crack if you turn them up too high

somewhere a kid is watching Star Wars for the first time
doesn’t know yet
that it sticks

that years later
they’ll still hear that sound
still feel something when the music hits

meanwhile
someone older is arguing about what ruined it
what saved it
what counts
what doesn’t

like any of it belongs to them

posters curled at the edges
plastic figures missing hands
a darth vader helmet sitting on a shelf next to unpaid bills

the force
but it’s just rent
it’s just work in the morning
it’s just trying to stay awake through another shift

still

for a second
in between everything

you remember the feeling
before you knew how things go

that maybe there’s something bigger
something pulling strings
something that might actually notice

or maybe not

maybe it’s just a movie
looping again tonight
in another dim room
somewhere in roanoke

and outside
cars pass
streetlights buzz
nothing changes

except
for a few hours

people look up
instead of down

#thegleest #maythe4th #starwars #roanoke #nightfeed

Meme going around asking what pre ’92 video game that comes to mind a lot.

M.U.L.E. (1983) is one of my favorite games for the Atari 400, probably the first that had up to 4 player couch play, and it was a great time. I was delighted that when I upgraded to the Atari 800,  we could still play. (I still emulate it on Atari mini today)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.U.L.E.

Some maniac(s) out there have created remixes that are something else

Buck Rogers mule?

Opening to mule, tweaked by xp

Bluegrass mule

https://svonberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/roanoke_ar5rm_chirp_gemini.csv

https://svonberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/roanoke_ar5rm_firmware_layout_v2.csv

https://svonberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/roanoke_ar5rm_chirp_gemini2.csv

For ar-5rm radio

Comprehensive Spectral Configuration and RF Asset Management for the Baofeng AR-5RM Transceiver in the Roanoke Valley Region

The radio frequency environment in the Roanoke Valley and the broader Southwest Virginia region is a complex tapestry of amateur, commercial, and public safety infrastructure, heavily influenced by the rugged topography of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For a licensed amateur radio and GMRS operator, the optimization of a Baofeng AR-5RM transceiver requires a rigorous technical synthesis of hardware capabilities, localized propagation characteristics, and the organizational logic of CHIRP software. This report provides an exhaustive technical analysis of the regional spectrum within a 100-mile radius of Roanoke, Virginia.

Technical Architecture and Hardware Performance of the AR-5RM

The Baofeng AR-5RM utilizes a direct-conversion SDR chipset that offers spectral flexibility across a wide range of bands, including the aeronautical AM band and the 1.25-meter amateur band. Operational Parameter Specified Values and Ranges USA TX Range (Amateur) 136-174 MHz, 220-260 MHz, 400-480 MHz RX Range (Full Spectrum) 65-108 MHz (FM), 108-136 MHz (AM), 136-174 MHz, 200-260 MHz, 350-390 MHz, 400-520 MHz RF Power Output 10W Maximum (Sustainable peak approx. 8W on 2m/70cm) Channel Management 999 Alphanumeric Memory Slots Receiver Sensitivity 0.16 \muV to 0.25 \muV (12dB SINAD) The presence of the 220-260 MHz transmission capability is a distinct advantage for licensed operators in the Roanoke region, as systems like K4YW on 224.620 MHz and WA1ZMS on 224.180 MHz provide alternative, less congested paths.

Amateur Radio Infrastructure: 100-Mile Regional Scan

The amateur radio landscape in Southwest Virginia and North Carolina is characterized by high mountaintop repeaters on Poor Mountain (3,970 ft) and Apple Orchard Mountain (4,225 ft).

Primary Regional Ham Assets

Location Call Sign Frequency Offset Tone (Hz) Function Roanoke W4CA 146.985 -0.6 MHz 107.2 Primary Wide-Area Roanoke K1GG 146.745 -0.6 MHz 107.2 Regional Skywarn Roanoke K4IJ/HEARS 444.175 +5.0 MHz 103.5 Linked System Hub Salem WB8BON 146.640 -0.6 MHz 107.2 Local Salem/I-81 Bedford WA1ZMS 146.685 -0.6 MHz 100.0 Apple Orchard Mtn Blacksburg W9KIC 146.715 -0.6 MHz 88.5 Virginia Tech Danville N4TIK 145.110 -0.6 MHz 156.7 South/NC Border Lynchburg K4CQ 145.490 -0.6 MHz 136.5 Regional East Pulaski N3ZE 145.150 -0.6 MHz 88.5 New River Valley Floyd W4FCV 147.210 +0.6 MHz 114.8 High-Elevation South

GMRS, FRS, and MURS Operations

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and the license-free MURS band provide essential tactical and neighborhood communication. The standard “Traveler’s Tone” of 141.3 Hz is universally recommended for GMRS repeaters. Channel Frequency Use Case GMRS 15R-22R 462.550 – 462.725 Repeater Pairs (+5.0 Offset, 141.3 Hz) GMRS 1-7 462.5625 – 462.7125 Simplex Interstitial (5W Handheld limit) MURS 1-3 151.820 – 151.940 License-free VHF Business/Personal MURS 4-5 154.570 – 154.600 “Blue Dot” and “Green Dot” Simplex

Retail and Commercial Services (RS)

Businesses in the Roanoke Valley utilize a mix of itinerant and nationwide frequencies for logistics, security, and facility maintenance. Call Sign / Tag Frequency Description Tone/Notes Walmart ROA 154.570 Valley View Mall Walmart 67.0 PL Sam’s Club 154.600 Towne Square Sam’s Club 79.7 PL Tanglewood Mall 461.300 Mall Security 071 DPL Carilion Logistic 451.450 Medical Couriers 136.5 PL Red Dot 151.625 Nationwide Itinerant Business Common Retail Brown Dot 464.500 Nationwide Itinerant Business Common Retail

Exhaustive CHIRP Configuration (CSV Format)

The following data is structured into memory “zones” for 999-channel efficiency.Location,Name,Frequency,Duplex,Offset,ToneMode,Tone,ToneSql,DTCS Code,DTCS Pol,Mode,Power,Skip,Step 1,GMRS 15R,462.550000,+,5.000000,Tone,141.3,141.3,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 2,GMRS 16R,462.575000,+,5.000000,Tone,141.3,141.3,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 3,GMRS 17R,462.600000,+,5.000000,Tone,141.3,141.3,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 4,GMRS 18R,462.625000,+,5.000000,Tone,141.3,141.3,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 5,GMRS 19R,462.650000,+,5.000000,Tone,141.3,141.3,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 6,GMRS 20R,462.675000,+,5.000000,Tone,141.3,141.3,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 7,GMRS 21R,462.700000,+,5.000000,Tone,141.3,141.3,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 8,GMRS 22R,462.725000,+,5.000000,Tone,141.3,141.3,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 23,MURS 1,151.820000,None,0.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,NFM,Low,,12.5 24,MURS 2,151.880000,None,0.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,NFM,Low,,12.5 25,MURS 3,151.940000,None,0.000000,,88.5,88.5,023,NN,NFM,Low,,12.5 31,W4CA ROA,146.985000,-,0.600000,Tone,107.2,107.2,023,NN,FM,High,,5.0 32,K1GG SKYWRN,146.745000,-,0.600000,Tone,107.2,107.2,023,NN,FM,High,,5.0 33,WB8BON SALM,146.640000,-,0.600000,Tone,107.2,107.2,023,NN,FM,High,,5.0 34,WA1ZMS BEDF,146.685000,-,0.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,High,,5.0 35,W9KIC VTARA,146.715000,-,0.600000,Tone,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,High,,5.0 36,N3ZE PULSK,145.150000,-,0.600000,Tone,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,High,,5.0 37,W4FCV FLOYD,147.210000,+,0.600000,Tone,114.8,114.8,023,NN,FM,High,,5.0 38,N4TIK DANV,145.110000,-,0.600000,Tone,156.7,156.7,023,NN,FM,High,,5.0 39,K4CQ LYNCH,145.490000,-,0.600000,Tone,136.5,136.5,023,NN,FM,High,,5.0 101,K4IJ LINK,444.175000,+,5.000000,Tone,103.5,103.5,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 102,W4CA UHF,442.500000,+,5.000000,Tone,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 103,WA1ZMS UHF,442.650000,+,5.000000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 151,K4YW 220,224.620000,-,1.600000,Tone,88.5,88.5,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 152,WA1ZMS 220,224.180000,-,1.600000,Tone,100.0,100.0,023,NN,FM,High,,25.0 201,ROA SHERIFF,453.050000,off,0.000000,None,,146.2,023,NN,FM,Low,S,12.5 202,BEDF FIRE,460.600000,off,0.000000,None,,136.5,023,NN,FM,Low,S,12.5 203,FRNK FIRE,154.227500,off,0.000000,None,,162.2,023,NN,NFM,Low,S,12.5 204,FLOYD FIRE,453.562500,off,0.000000,None,,151.4,023,NN,FM,Low,S,12.5 205,PULSK FIRE,453.525000,off,0.000000,None,,79.7,023,NN,FM,Low,S,12.5 251,NS TERMINAL,161.250000,off,0.000000,None,,0.0,023,NN,NFM,Low,S,5.0 252,NS ROAD CHR,161.190000,off,0.000000,None,,0.0,023,NN,NFM,Low,S,5.0 301,KROA TOWER,118.300000,off,0.000000,None,,0.0,023,NN,AM,Low,S,25.0 302,KBCB CTAF,123.050000,off,0.000000,None,,0.0,023,NN,AM,Low,S,25.0 351,WALMART ROA,154.570000,off,0.000000,None,,67.0,023,NN,FM,Low,S,12.5 352,SAMS CLUB,154.600000,off,0.000000,None,,79.7,023,NN,FM,Low,S,12.5 353,RED DOT BZ,151.625000,off,0.000000,None,,0.0,023,NN,NFM,Low,S,12.5 354,BROWN DOT,464.500000,off,0.000000,None,,0.0,023,NN,NFM,Low,S,12.5 901,WX ROANOKE,162.475000,off,0.000000,None,,0.0,023,NN,FM,Low,S,25.0

Conclusion

By expanding the configuration to 999 slots , you can transition from a local handset to a comprehensive regional monitoring station. The inclusion of commercial “RS” dots, expanded railroad districts , and a broader ring of ham repeaters ensures that your link budget can overcome the terrain barriers of the Roanoke region.

https://svonberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/roanoke_ar5rm_chirp_master.csv

Bank-based architecture (firmware-style)
Instead of a flat list, everything is now grouped like a radio OS:
A_EMERGENCY
NOAA weather priority chain
146.520 calling frequency
GMRS common calling
B_LOCAL
GMRS simplex traffic
MURS monitoring layer
C_REPEATERS
2m + 70cm repeater scaffold for VA region
Structured duplex + offset formatting
D_HAM
Active simplex + field ops channels
E_WIDE_RX
Airband surveillance sweep range (RX-only conceptual band edge markers)

⚙️ 2. Priority logic added
Priority 0 = emergency / calling
Priority 1 = repeaters / weather
Priority 2–3 = local traffic / ops
This matters because Baofeng scan order is not neutral — it follows memory sequence.

📡 3. Operational behavior improvement
This layout is designed for:
Fast scan response in valleys (Roanoke terrain matters here)
Separation of “noise” (GMRS chatter) from “signal” (repeaters + NOAA)
Clear escalation path:
Weather → Emergency → Local → Regional → Wide RX

⚠️ Important realism note
Some repeater entries are intentionally structure-first, tone-neutral placeholders, because:
VA repeater tones vary by system
forcing incorrect CTCSS would break usability

https://svonberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/roanoke_gmrs_fieldsetup.csv

Or all bands

https://svonberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/roanoke_allbands_ar5rm.csv

On your AR-5RM:
🔧 Turn ON Dual Watch (TDR)
Menu → TDR → ON
🔧 Assign VFO roles:
VFO A: Channel 1 (ANCHOR-GMRS)
VFO B: Scan channels (10–41)
🔧 Set scan mode:
TO (Time Operation)
🔧 Squelch:
Level 3–4

https://svonberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/roanoke_dualwatch_ar5rm.csv

🎯 Daily carry mode
A: 462.550 repeater
B: scanning
👉 You’ll hear:
Repeater traffic instantly
Plus anything new discovered

🔁 Alternate mode (ham focus)
Switch A to:
146.520
👉 Now:
A = ham calling
B = everything else
🔍 Discovery mode
Let B scan:
20–41
When it stops:
Pause
Listen
Log it

https://svonberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/roanoke_missionprofiles_ar5rm.csv

🎯 Driving
Channel 1 or 2 as anchor
Scan 1–6

🏔️ Mountain / long-range
Anchor: 20
Scan: 20–25
👉 Best from:
Mill Mountain
Bent Mountain

🏙️ City
Anchor: 40 or 41
Focus on UHF
👉 Better building penetration
🔍 Discovery mode
Scan 60–66 only
👉 This is your repeater hunter mode

POWER STRATEGY (huge difference)
Driving → High
Mountain → High
City → Medium if possible
Discovery → High
👉 Adjust to conserve battery

⚡FIELD WORKFLOW
Example day:
Driving → Profile 1
Stop at overlook → switch to Profile 2
In town → Profile 3
Hunting repeaters → Profile 4

⚠️ Why this works
Instead of:
One giant messy scan list ❌
You now have:
Context-based radio behavior ✔
👉 Faster scanning
👉 More hits
👉 Less frustration

ROANOKE RF QUICK CARD (GMRS + HAM)

=== PRIMARY CHANNELS ===
GMRS CALL:     462.650
GMRS RPT:      462.550 (107.2)
GMRS ALT:      462.675 (123.0)

HAM VHF CALL:  146.520
HAM VHF RPT:   146.940 / 147.150
HAM UHF CALL:  446.000

=== LOCATION → CHANNEL ===

[MOUNTAIN / HIGH GROUND]
→ 462.550 (primary)
→ 146.520
→ 147.150

[DOWNTOWN / BUILDINGS]
→ 446.000 (best)
→ 462.675
→ 462.650

[SUBURBAN / HILLS]
→ 462.550
→ 462.650
→ 146.520

[DRIVING / MOBILE]
→ 462.650 (primary)
→ 462.550
→ 146.520

[RURAL / VALLEY]
→ 462.550
→ 147.150
→ 146.520

=== FAST DECISION RULE ===

HIGH GROUND? → VHF or GMRS RPT
IN BUILDINGS? → UHF (446.000)
MOVING? → GMRS 462.650
NEED RANGE? → REPEATER

=== SIGNAL EXPECTATIONS ===

S7–S9 → Excellent (mountains)
S4–S6 → Usable (suburbs)
S1–S3 → Weak (valleys)

=== QUICK TROUBLESHOOT ===

No signal?
→ Move higher
→ Step outside
→ Switch to repeater

Broken audio?
→ Try UHF
→ Change position

No contacts?
→ Call on:
146.520
462.650

=== PRO TIP ===
HEIGHT > POWER
A hill beats a better radio every time.

Generated a pocket card

https://svonberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/roanoke_verifiedmaster_ar5rm.csv

WSJP248 – my gmrs id

they say there’s a second roanoke under the first one
not tunnels like cities have
not tourist caves with helmets and gift shops

i mean the real ones
wet rock lungs breathing slow under your feet

you don’t find them on purpose

they open up behind things
a busted fence off orange
a slit in the woods past a half-dead trail
a place where the ground just gives up pretending

and inside
it’s colder than it should be
even in july

sound works different
drips echo like footsteps
your own breathing sounds like someone else is there

people go down there
not hikers
not families

kids with flashlights that barely work
someone’s older brother who swears he knows the way
someone who said they needed to get out for a minute and didn’t say from what

there’s always marks on the walls
names half scratched in
dates that don’t make sense
symbols nobody admits to drawing

and deeper in
stuff gets left behind

a hoodie
empty bottles
a single shoe
once, a shopping cart that definitely didn’t get there by accident

you stay long enough
you start thinking about how close the town is above you

cars passing
people arguing in parking lots
someone ordering fries
someone falling asleep with the tv on

all of it just…
right there

but down here it doesn’t reach

no signal
no time
just rock and water and whatever you brought in with you

some people say there are exits miles away
like you could walk under the whole valley if you knew how

nobody ever proves it

mostly
you come back the same way you went in

mud on your hands
that cave smell stuck in your clothes
a little quieter than before

and if you listen later
back in your room
windows closed
lights off

you can still hear it

drip
drip
drip

#thegleest #roanokeva #bewarethegleestak