THIEF!!!! (and quite a story behind it!!!)

[WA6MHZ]

Tomorrow is time for MASS, so I better CONFESS today.

Something at the Swapmeet jogged my memory, and I now remember something I STOLE.

When and What?

The time is fuzzy, but it was the fall of 1965. yep, WAY WAY back then.

I was sent to Boarding school by my parents for my Freshmen year of High School. I was deemed to be
INCORIGIBLE, so they figured the PRIESTS would straighten me out. Maybe they were Benedictine Monks.

I was sent to St Bede academy in Peru, Illinois.
To my great ASTONISHMENT, it still EXISTS, and is evidently doing very well!
http://www.st-bede.com/

But back in 1965, this was just short of a CONCENTRATION CAMP!!!

I was immediately picked out by the Priest for Persecution, and what happened there would SCAR me for life. NO, I wasn't MOLESTED or anything like that, but actually WORSE. And it was all at the hands of a brutal, PSYCHOTIC Priest nicknamed "SCAR"

Life was terrible there. We had to eat food contaminated with bugs, and when we didn't do JUST what the Priest said, we were BEATEN within inches of our life. Yep, POWs had a MUCH easier life than we did!

I had to take tough subjects including LATIN, which I flunked badly. Because of that, I was GROUNDED, meaning I could not go into town or get off the campus. I was entirely at the mercy of Scar, the Prefect in charge of my dorm. Saturdays and evenings were spent in SILENT Study hall, where Scar would walk up and down the aisles making sure each student was STUDYING HARD!

I was driven nuts. I couldn't stand it!! I NEEDED some freedom and relief from this NIGHTMARE.

There was only one bit of cheer, and that came from a Kindly Priest who was my Science teacher. I hold him solely responsible for sparking my interest in Electronics. He helped me in every way, showing me about electricity and electronics. I forget his name, but he was about the only nice person there.

From his books, I learned about Crystal sets, and radio. I developed a plan. But I would also turn into a THIEF because of it.

One saturday, Scar was busy doing something else, and I set out to escape. The School was on the banks of the Illinois river, but the fence went right up to the bank. They made sure no one could escape. Tall brick walls, and high security. But today I would escape. I dashed to the river bank and dove into the river, and swum UPSTREAM until I was past where the wall was. Coming ashore, I was FREE, and then began the long walk into town, which was PERU, IL.

Other kids might have gone to a soda shop, or gone to see a movie, but this 14 year old went right to a TV Repair shop I had found in the phonebook. Inside the store, I bought a AM Band LOOPSTICK and a 1N34 diode. Also a minature Hi-Z earphone.

But here is ALSO where I STOLE something. Yes, I was a CRIMINAL way back then. I stole a small JW MILLER IF STRIP, with 2 transistors and one diode. Think it was worth about 4 bucks. But I didn't have anymore money for it. I paid for the other parts with the IF Strip in my pocket, and put them in a waterproof bag.

I headed back towards the school and added the IF Strip to the bag, and put it all in my pocket. I would then dive in the river again and swim back across the wall to the school grounds.

Once back on school property, I buried the bag and headed back into building knowing my fate. Yes, SCAR was waiting for me, and BEAT ME BLOODY for my escape. But my mission was complete!

over the next few weeks, I began to build my crystal set, with the help of the Kindly Science teacher Priest. He showed me how to solder and gave me an old electromagnet which had miles of hair thin wire on it. That would become my antenna. I took an old book and cut out the center in which I would build my radio. My desk was near the window in the study hall, so I ran the wire out the window and made a loop of wire which I hid up above the window. The wire was too fine to see, but I knew where it was.

I hid the crystal earphone under my long hair and concealed it in my ear. It was connected to some fahenstock connectors I had in the book. ALso I connected the thin antenna wire. I could tune in Chicago AM stations with my loopstick and listenned to WLS. MUSIC!!! My world was no longer grim silence, I was ENJOYING LIFE!!!!

But my crystal set was not long for the world. Scar somehow figured out my scam and busted me for it. He destroyed the crystal set and beat me bloody for that infraction.

Meanwhile, I still had the JW Miller IF Strip. Not sure what I was going to do with it, but I had planned on building another AM radio.

The worst beating I got from Scar came when he found my Secret Stash of cereal boxes. They fed us porridge full of WEEVILS, and I didn't want to eat bugs. So I had made friends with the Mexican nuns in the kitchen and they supplied me with a few boxes of 1 serving cereal. That was my life sustinance.

Scar found the stash, and picked me up, tossing me across the room into the lockers. He POUNDED on me with all his might, beating me TRULY within INCHES of my Life. Think I had to stay in the infirmary after that beating.

Finally Summer came and I was allowed to go home to Lisle. It was a YEAR IN HELL, and I am sure they have greatly reformed those kind of practices since 1965-66. But my life would be forever changed after that. I was now interested in Electronics, and would progress until I got my Ham License in 1968.

EPILOGUE

Today at the Swapmeet, I found the same JW Miller IF Strip I had stolen in 1965. I can't find anything on the internet about it, but this was from a Silent Key's estate. Here it is.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6818201425_1db6d24641_z.jpg

I regret stealing this, but since it has been 47 years, I doubt the TV store is still there. Don't think they would want it back anyway. I do regret stealing it, don't know why I did, but it was wrong. But what SCAR did to me was ALOT more wrong!!!

[K9ASE]

That's a great story Pat you should add it to your Crest Radio Museum presentation.

[N1JBS]

So, De-fragging that hard drive of yours really DID HELP!!!!

[KL7AJ]

Tomorrow is time for MASS, so I better CONFESS today.

Something at the Swapmeet jogged my memory, and I now remember something I STOLE.

When and What?

The time is fuzzy, but it was the fall of 1965. yep, WAY WAY back then.

I was sent to Boarding school by my parents for my Freshmen year of High School. I was deemed to be
INCORIGIBLE, so they figured the PRIESTS would straighten me out. Maybe they were Benedictine Monks.

I was sent to St Bede academy in Peru, Illinois.
To my great ASTONISHMENT, it still EXISTS, and is evidently doing very well!
http://www.st-bede.com/

But back in 1965, this was just short of a CONCENTRATION CAMP!!!

I was immediately picked out by the Priest for Persecution, and what happened there would SCAR me for life. NO, I wasn't MOLESTED or anything like that, but actually WORSE. And it was all at the hands of a brutal, PSYCHOTIC Priest nicknamed "SCAR"

Life was terrible there. We had to eat food contaminated with bugs, and when we didn't do JUST what the Priest said, we were BEATEN within inches of our life. Yep, POWs had a MUCH easier life than we did!

I had to take tough subjects including LATIN, which I flunked badly. Because of that, I was GROUNDED, meaning I could not go into town or get off the campus. I was entirely at the mercy of Scar, the Prefect in charge of my dorm. Saturdays and evenings were spent in SILENT Study hall, where Scar would walk up and down the aisles making sure each student was STUDYING HARD!

I was driven nuts. I couldn't stand it!! I NEEDED some freedom and relief from this NIGHTMARE.

There was only one bit of cheer, and that came from a Kindly Priest who was my Science teacher. I hold him solely responsible for sparking my interest in Electronics. He helped me in every way, showing me about electricity and electronics. I forget his name, but he was about the only nice person there.

From his books, I learned about Crystal sets, and radio. I developed a plan. But I would also turn into a THIEF because of it.

One saturday, Scar was busy doing something else, and I set out to escape. The School was on the banks of the Illinois river, but the fence went right up to the bank. They made sure no one could escape. Tall brick walls, and high security. But today I would escape. I dashed to the river bank and dove into the river, and swum UPSTREAM until I was past where the wall was. Coming ashore, I was FREE, and then began the long walk into town, which was PERU, IL.

Other kids might have gone to a soda shop, or gone to see a movie, but this 14 year old went right to a TV Repair shop I had found in the phonebook. Inside the store, I bought a AM Band LOOPSTICK and a 1N34 diode. Also a minature Hi-Z earphone.

But here is ALSO where I STOLE something. Yes, I was a CRIMINAL way back then. I stole a small JW MILLER IF STRIP, with 2 transistors and one diode. Think it was worth about 4 bucks. But I didn't have anymore money for it. I paid for the other parts with the IF Strip in my pocket, and put them in a waterproof bag.

I headed back towards the school and added the IF Strip to the bag, and put it all in my pocket. I would then dive in the river again and swim back across the wall to the school grounds.

Once back on school property, I buried the bag and headed back into building knowing my fate. Yes, SCAR was waiting for me, and BEAT ME BLOODY for my escape. But my mission was complete!

over the next few weeks, I began to build my crystal set, with the help of the Kindly Science teacher Priest. He showed me how to solder and gave me an old electromagnet which had miles of hair thin wire on it. That would become my antenna. I took an old book and cut out the center in which I would build my radio. My desk was near the window in the study hall, so I ran the wire out the window and made a loop of wire which I hid up above the window. The wire was too fine to see, but I knew where it was.

I hid the crystal earphone under my long hair and concealed it in my ear. It was connected to some fahenstock connectors I had in the book. ALso I connected the thin antenna wire. I could tune in Chicago AM stations with my loopstick and listenned to WLS. MUSIC!!! My world was no longer grim silence, I was ENJOYING LIFE!!!!

But my crystal set was not long for the world. Scar somehow figured out my scam and busted me for it. He destroyed the crystal set and beat me bloody for that infraction.

Meanwhile, I still had the JW Miller IF Strip. Not sure what I was going to do with it, but I had planned on building another AM radio.

The worst beating I got from Scar came when he found my Secret Stash of cereal boxes. They fed us porridge full of WEEVILS, and I didn't want to eat bugs. So I had made friends with the Mexican nuns in the kitchen and they supplied me with a few boxes of 1 serving cereal. That was my life sustinance.

Scar found the stash, and picked me up, tossing me across the room into the lockers. He POUNDED on me with all his might, beating me TRULY within INCHES of my Life. Think I had to stay in the infirmary after that beating.

Finally Summer came and I was allowed to go home to Lisle. It was a YEAR IN HELL, and I am sure they have greatly reformed those kind of practices since 1965-66. But my life would be forever changed after that. I was now interested in Electronics, and would progress until I got my Ham License in 1968.

EPILOGUE

Today at the Swapmeet, I found the same JW Miller IF Strip I had stolen in 1965. I can't find anything on the internet about it, but this was from a Silent Key's estate. Here it is.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6818201425_1db6d24641_z.jpg

I regret stealing this, but since it has been 47 years, I doubt the TV store is still there. Don't think they would want it back anyway. I do regret stealing it, don't know why I did, but it was wrong. But what SCAR did to me was ALOT more wrong!!!

50 lashes with a Wouff Hong and a few vigorous prods with the rettysnitch should suffice as atonement.

Maybe.

Eric

[WA6TKD]

Great story. I too have one of those J.W. 455khz IF strips, at least I still think it's in the parts stash in the garage. I've had it for maybe 40 years, maybe longer. I don't recall how I acquired it, but I'm pretty sure I didn't steal it. :)
I always assumed I would build some great receiver project with it but never did. Alas technology has severely passed it by. Perhaps if I come across it some day I will mail to you.

So one priest taught you about the dark side of humanity and another taught you the bright side. That's about par I guess, humans are human no matter what religious claims they may hold.

[AF6LJ]

I have one of those also.
They are very cool I keep thinking I'm going to use it in something.....

[NY3V]

'IF', you said?

" IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

IF you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:

IF you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

IF you can dream---and not make dreams your master;

IF you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,

IF you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.

IF you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

IF you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:

IF you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

IF you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,

IF neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

IF all men count with you, but none too much:.

IF you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son! "

Rudyard Kipling

[K8MHZ]

Once back on school property, I buried the bag and headed back into building knowing my fate. Yes, SCAR was waiting for me, and BEAT ME BLOODY for my escape. But my mission was complete!

Pat, have you ever thought about writing paperback novels?

Seriously.

[WA4OTD]

I agree, your short stories are superb, outstanding, and really fun to read.
Pat, have you ever thought about writing paperback novels?

Seriously.

[K7RQ]

I don't think you have to worry about where you will end up on Judgement Day, in spite of your theft..But that Scar may be shoveling coal in Hell by now. Great story, Pat!

[WA6MHZ]

That would be a great story for QST, but don't think St Bede Academy would appreciate the publicity. Maybe I would need to change the name to keep me from getting SUED! Of course, it is all TRUTH, but no way I can prove it. I am sure SCAR is long passed away. He was probably 35 at the time.

[K9ASE]

I agree, your short stories are superb, outstanding, and really fun to read. I agree, combining Pat's short stories,and his W6 Dxpedition threads would make a great book. "letters from the Zed"

[WA6MHZ]

I just needa Publicist! I don't know nuttin bout writin books!

on edit....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publicist
No thats not what I need. Hmmm..... Maybe an ENGLISH TEACHER to correct all my grammatically unclean writins!

[N8CPA]

Pat, of course, you should write, compile and publish.

The last catholic school I went to, the Prinicipal, a priest, had been a WWII POW--but the way he ruled the school made all of us wonder which side he had fought on.

When you were at St. Bede's, did you ever read the Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact? It was a comic book series for young catholics. And one of the recurring characters, Chuck White, was a ham. Its creator and publisher, George Pflaum, was a Dayton ham. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Chest_(comics)

I doubt this particular story would have been printed. It sounds like a passage from Da Vinci Code or Sleepers!

[AB2T]

Wow, Pat, amazing story. (Supposedly) the priests in my high school used corporal punishment until it was made a crime by the state. That didn't stop them from running the place like a psychotic military academy. I can identify with some aspects of your story. Definitely write all this down.

If it's any comfort -- we were told in school that confession forgives even sins you forget to mention. After all you've survived, you deserve a medal of honor despite stealing a $4 transistor strip. That demented priest you mention has a lot more to answer for than what you did as a kid.

[WB2WIK]

Ironically, SCAR was the name of the evil uncle in the Disney Lion King movie.

Pat, I think you had a hand in that. And since Lion King made about a hundred million dollars, I think they should pay you royalties.

If you're looking for an agent, I can help!

Sign on the star, I'll make you a dotted line.

[W9OE]

Nice story Pat. I enjoyed it almost as much as this sack of White Castles. :p

[N0WYO]

Pat, I think you have something here. Just one good hit with a book, and you wouldn't have to worry about not being able to afford any radio you wanted.

[N8CPA]

Nice story Pat. I enjoyed it almost as much as this sack of White Castles. :p

Now that is just mean! :D

[KA9UCN]

Pat I spent my first 3 years of school in a catholic schools. Although I went home at night I still have nightmares of the penguins. I can never forget the first thing I learned. There are 3 sides of a ruler to hit you with. I don’t think I have any deep mental scars but to this day if a person picks up one of those wooden pointers with the rubber end. I am instantly POed and ready for a fight. I still think I have a sore spot at the center of my shoulder blades from being poked from behind every time the penguins would sneak up behind me. If and when they thought I was not doing whatever they wanted at the time. One thing that they did help me with was discipline. I was paddled so many times with what can only be described as a club that when I got home I was invincible. My mother could not whip me with a belt hard enough to even impress me.
WARNING You may find this boring, funny or just plain disturbing.
Around 2 years ago I woke from a dream covered in sweat. I dreamed I was in the local catholic church . Standing in front of the alter when a man run in and ran up the center aisle . he was scared and desperate. He was being chased by approximately 8 penguins. “the nuns”. They were all in side by side formation, in perfect lock step and in a full speed air borne shuffle just seconds behind him. He looked at me and said which way? Which way?. He then shot off the my right into the room to the side of the alter aria were the chalice is stored and only the priest enter. I then realized that I was this man and I had run into a room with no exits and the nuns were closing in. I was trapped. This is when I woke up in terror!
Thank god for my religious upbringing. I am now 51 years old, cringe at the thoughts of ever even entering a church and want to hit people who pick up pointers or wooden rulers with the metal edge.
I am glad that I was left with no permanent mental scaring.
Joe

[NM7L]

Pat, of course, you should write, compile and publish.

The last catholic school I went to, the Prinicipal, a priest, had been a WWII POW--but the way he ruled the school made all of us wonder which side he had fought on.

When you were at St. Bede's, did you ever read the Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact? It was a comic book series for young catholics. And one of the recurring characters, Chuck White, was a ham. Its creator and publisher, George Pflaum, was a Dayton ham. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Chest_(comics)

I doubt this particular story would have been printed. It sounds like a passage from Da Vinci Code or Sleepers!

Steve,

Thanks for completing one of my infinite number of useless trivia disconnects. I recall George Carlin making reference to Chuck White on his album "Class Clown". For decades I assumed he was the artist of the comic book: just realized today that he was one of the characters in the book. And a ham to boot: what a bonus!

[N8CPA]

Pat I spent my first 3 years of school in a catholic schools. Although I went home at night I still have nightmares of the penguins. I can never forget the first thing I learned. There are 3 sides of a ruler to hit you with. I don’t think I have any deep mental scars but to this day if a person picks up one of those wooden pointers with the rubber end. I am instantly POed and ready for a fight. I still think I have a sore spot at the center of my shoulder blades from being poked from behind every time the penguins would sneak up behind me. If and when they thought I was not doing whatever they wanted at the time. One thing that they did help me with was discipline. I was paddled so many times with what can only be described as a club that when I got home I was invincible. My mother could not whip me with a belt hard enough to even impress me.
WARNING You may find this boring, funny or just plain disturbing.
Around 2 years ago I woke from a dream covered in sweat. I dreamed I was in the local catholic church . Standing in front of the alter when a man run in and ran up the center aisle . he was scared and desperate. He was being chased by approximately 8 penguins. “the nuns”. They were all in side by side formation, in perfect lock step and in a full speed air borne shuffle just seconds behind him. He looked at me and said which way? Which way?. He then shot off the my right into the room to the side of the alter aria were the chalice is stored and only the priest enter. I then realized that I was this man and I had run into a room with no exits and the nuns were closing in. I was trapped. This is when I woke up in terror!
Thank god for my religious upbringing. I am now 51 years old, cringe at the thoughts of ever even entering a church and want to hit people who pick up pointers or wooden rulers with the metal edge.
I am glad that I was left with no permanent mental scaring.
Joe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CC2nGb-S_E

[N8CPA]

Steve,

Thanks for completing one of my infinite number of useless trivia disconnects. I recall George Carlin making reference to Chuck White on his album "Class Clown". For decades I assumed he was the artist of the comic book: just realized today that he was one of the characters in the book. And a ham to boot: what a bonus!

Thanks for the reminder. I had forgotten that the Sainted George had refered to Chuck White. The name of the series was actually Chuck White and his Friends. CW (Get it?) was a newspaper reporter and Catholic youth leader. His friends were usually underprivileged kids on the brink of a major foul up who were saved by Chuck and, in some cases, ham radio.

[K8MHZ]

Wow, Pat, amazing story. (Supposedly) the priests in my high school used corporal punishment until it was made a crime by the state. That didn't stop them from running the place like a psychotic military academy. I can identify with some aspects of your story. Definitely write all this down.

If it's any comfort -- we were told in school that confession forgives even sins you forget to mention. After all you've survived, you deserve a medal of honor despite stealing a $4 transistor strip. That demented priest you mention has a lot more to answer for than what you did as a kid.

Corporal punishment was used in public schools, too. I know for sure that it was going on when I was in 5th grade because the teacher was known to break yardsticks over the kids. That would have been around 1967.

[N1JBS]

Pat, I think you have something here. Just one good hit with a book, and you wouldn't have to worry about not being able to afford any radio you wanted or where to put them.

There, fixed that for you...

[NY3V]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CC2nGb-S_E


Is Nothing sacred? :D

[N0SYA]

I bet the tv shop guy would have given you much more than just an if strip if he knew what was going on in the religious indoctrination center.

[KB9LXP]

You listened to WLS!!! Larry Luejack...Animal stories??? Now its "Rush" talk radio...
Nice story (true) Pat
Mike

[AE1PT]

Quite a story. You are just like an amusement park, only cheaper...

[K9ASE]

You listened to WLS!!! Larry Luejack...Animal stories??? Now its "Rush" talk radio...
Nice story (true) Pat
Mike But, WLS FM still plays oldies;)

[KB9LXP]

But, WLS FM still plays oldies;)

I never built an FM crystal radio.
In High School, we only listened to WLS AM, nobody had FM radios in there cars. 8-tracks, yes.
Mike

[N9EFG]

If you want to pursue that book suggestion, Pat, let me know. As it happens, I've been a book editor and sometime writer for almost 25 years. I always look forward to your posts and think they make great reading, whatever the topic on your mind.

Suggested titles, anyone?

Greg

[WA4OTD]

His way with words is unique. It takes less effort to publish than it used to.


I agree, combining Pat's short stories,and his W6 Dxpedition threads would make a great book. "letters from the Zed"

[N8CPA]

If you want to pursue that book suggestion, Pat, let me know. As it happens, I've been a book editor and sometime writer for almost 25 years. I always look forward to your posts and think they make great reading, whatever the topic on your mind.

Suggested titles, anyone?

Greg

A teenaged boy deemed incorrigible, swims upstream for the sake of electronics while coping with a severe antagonist suggests the title: Against the Current.

[N8CPA]

As for the theft, as far as I'm concerned: From the authority vested in me as a former catholic, Ego te absolvo, in spirtu radionis.

[WA6MHZ]

Then there is the story of Hitchhiking from San Diego to Chicago and back, the CORNFIELD, the farm house and Farmers wife. But that story is PG rated!