so it looks like the stock /etc/abs.conf is incorrent
but then there is this post
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=7890
but abs is only pulling the main line kernel down and not the arm kernel(s).
not only that i'm getting 4.1.4 ??!?!! 4.1.6 should be the current ArchLinuxARM stable (today)
any recommendations?