How I became a ham.

[WD5W]

Ok, I have a question for you operators out there. How did you become a Ham? Were you taught by an Elmer? Did you learn what you needed in the military? Did you study on your own and get your ticket?

Here's my story. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who would like to know how you did it too.

I started using a radio in the early 70's, when I was a teenager in Tennessee...a CB. It was a Lafayette Comstat 23, I believe the last tube type CB made in America...or anywhere else for that matter, if memory serves. Anyway, I had a lot of fun there (this was back in the 23 channel days) when people were much more civil and there wasn't a lot of foul language on the air.

A man down the street from me was a ham and knew I was a CB operator. He tried to get me involved with ham radio and really wowed me with his phone patch in his car, but I was intimidated by the code and didn't pursue it.

I moved from Tennessee to Oklahoma where I put up my station and finished high school. I didn't make as many friends on the air in Oklahoma as I did in Tennessee, but it was fun. Then I went away to college, put away the radio as I didn't have a place for it, and forgot about it.

Fast forward to 1999. Not knowing what was going to happen during the Millenium rollover, I decided to hedge my bets in case the whole communications infrastructure collapsed. I bought a book called Guide To Emergency Survival Communications by Ingram which talked about amateur radio, among other things. I piqued my interest and I found that I could get a license that didn't require Morse code. I checked things out, found the Gordon West book on the No-Code Tech license at Radio Shack, bought it and studied it to pass both the Novice and No-Code Tech tests in the same sitting. I studied for both tests for over a month almost non-stop to get ready to go to the testing session. I already had a scanner and was listening to the VHF/UHF repeaters (never forget that a lot of people are out there listening that you will never know about) and took the tests. I passed with flying colors and sat on pins and needles while I waited for over a month for my call sign to show up in the FCC database. I had already bought an ICOM H-T and was anxious to use it. The night I saw my new call sign on QRZ, I made my first contact on the H-T using a discone antenna sitting on the porch of my apartment. It was great.

In my case, I was highly motivated to get the license and be prepared for anything that might come, as much as I could be. I had no elmer to help me exept Gordon West vicariously through his book.

I have since upgraded to Extra, again, without the help of a live Elmer. I studied Gordons books for the technical side and used a combination of things to learn the code. I used Code Quick and the MFJ Pocket Morse Code tutor (MFJ-418) to learn it and when I started, again, learned it in about a month when I started and didn't stop (I had had a couple of false starts where I would work at it for a week or so, then let myself get too busy to continue and had to start over). I passed the General theory and code test at the same sitting, then went back and passed the Extra test a couple of weeks later.

It would have been nice to have had an Elmer, but for me, I seemed to work better on my own. A lot of people need to have someone push them or show it to them to be able to pick it up. I also studied electronics for a couple of years in an electronics trade school, National Institute of Electronics, now gone, I believe. So, it wasn't that hard for me to pass the theory since it really was mostly old hat. But, the code was the big hold up.

From time to time, I think about that ham that tried to recruit me all those years ago and wonder whatever became of him. I can't remember his name, never really knew his call sign and have no way to look him up. I wish I could though, because it would be nice to let him know that while it took 26 years, I finally got my ticket and would like to thank him if he's still alive for introducing me to a wonderful hobby. It's too bad nobody has put old call books on CD with searchable formats such as name, address, call sign, etc. I'm talking 70's era call books and older. If you know of anything like that, please let me know.

73's,

Wayne

[n4sl]

My dad was a rabid ham since he was 12 in 1933 (W4NW-sk). I got my novice license in 1972, had the extra by 1975, been loving it ever since.

N4SL

[WB2GOF]

Got my start in radio with the CB explosion in the early 1970's. #Was in junior high school back then and met a nice group of friends from the school and the neighborhood to hang around with on the radio. #This was before operator courtesy and civility went out the window on 27 MHz. #
Soon enough, a fellow CB op found out about a Amateur Radio class at another school in our district. #About 5 or 6 of us agreed to sign up together. #It was one night a week, ninety minutes for 6 or 8 weeks. #I believe the elmer who taught this class was K2CQM, but I am not sure. #You know how time fades a memory....
He gave us the Novice test in 1975 or 76, and at least four of our group passed. #I took and passed my Tech in 1977. #Never had enough $$$ to set up much of a station back then, and then a year or two later I was off to college where I fell in love with computers....
Fast forward to 2000, and Amateur restructuring is here. #I retook the Tech test in May, then upgraded to General with my 5 wpm credit wayback from 1977, and took and passed the Extra in July 2001.
# # # # # # # # # WB2GOF / KC2GNR / WB2GOF

A friend's dad was a ham back when I was a kid, I never got my ticket though, I think I assumed kids couldn't do that. I wish I had though...

Anyway back in '92 during the height of the no-code tech craze I wandered into a Radio Shack while my wife was shopping at the mall. They had a display of the no-code tech manual. I've never looked back since!

I've met a lot of cool people and had a lot of fun. I even upgraded the hard way (well it was hard for me) and passed that 20 WPM code test. Now I give the tests as a VE.

73 de N8TUT Doug

I learned it all on my own using the ARRL handbook as a study tool. I used the question pools to figure out which topics were important for me to learn, and built a study guide with MS Word and MS Equation for the things I didn't know. I added a bullet point for each concept as I researched the correct answers, and erased bullets as I mastered each topic. When the sheets started to look blank, I knew it was time to take the test. NuMorse Pro taught me code.

There are a lot of great tools out there, Elmers included, and you just have to find the one that fits your learning style.

[KB9DNK]

I was in high school (maybe a freshman or a sophomore), and I met another student who was a ham. Somehow we got on the topic of ham radio, and he told me all about this hobby. I was hooked. #So later in the week I swung by his house, and he fired up his rig for me. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. To be able to talk to other people in far away places. I just became obsessed with finding out as much as possible about ham radio. One chance encounter would eventually lead me down the path to getting my novice license (while in high school), and eventually my extra ticket.

[n0ykx]

Started in radio as a teenager also in the 70's with CB. #Had a rig setup with a slide mount, that I could take from the car to my room. #Had a big ol vertical antenna on the side of the house.

Always was interested in Ham radio, but didn't know anyone that was a ham and didn't know the process to get a license.

Got big into scanners and had them on all the time. #In approximately 1990, I then found and older ham that moved in next door to me. #He told me about the local ham club and their repeater frequency. #Punched that into my scanner and listened alot.

Never found the time to really pursue a license, but in about 1993, I bought Gordon Wests Technican book, read it front to back, then started taking sample tests on the computer. #Once I was passing all those tests, went to the test session, that I heard posted on a weekly net. #Passed and waited and had to wait about 2 months for my license. #(That was a terrible wait).

Stayed as a no-code Tech for about 8 1/2 years with a couple brief tries a code. I even bought Code Quick, but never really gave it the time to learn. #This Christmas, I had about a week off work, and decided to go hot and heavy with the Code. #I followed the Code Quick plan and was up to 5wpm in 12 days and finally got to about 10 wpm before taking the test. #I then bought the Gordon West General Book and started studying it. #Passed 100% on the code and did pretty weel on the written. #Wow, made it to General with about 3 weeks study.

Had another test session coming up locally in about 3 weeks, so I borrowed an ARRL Extra Book. #Couldn't find any Gordon West books locally and no time to mail order. #The ARRL book is a lot harder to study, but I feel I got more out of it then just enough to pass the test. #Went to the testing session, and am now an Extra.

I did most all of this by myself, except for some of the constant prodding by some of the Extra guys telling me "You can do it". #(I guess I finally listened)

Now I'm just waiting for my VE Credentials to show up in the mail, so I can be a part of others getting their License.

[VE6BUD]

Back in 1985, my father purchased a camper van which had a 40 channel CB radio in it. It was some sort of Radio Shack jobbie. Fast forward to 1988, I was 14 years old and I finally got up enough nerve to ask my father if I could "Have" it.

So, In 1988 I got "On the air" with one half of a hacked up vertical antenna and talked to a few local CB'ers. I never took it seriously and only occasionally used it.

In 1989, I noticed that a house on my street had put up a rather large antenna in their backyard. I saw a man out front gardening and couldn't stop myself from asking what the antenna in the back was for. John Kirk (Ex-VE6XT, now VK2PV) told me that it was for catching pidgeons! LOL! I asked him if it was for CB radio and he smiled, put down his tools and showed me his shack.

Scrounging up some study guides, RIC information and the like, he set me on my way. I began studying for the tests. Unfortunately, Canada had the minimum 12 WPM CW requirement at the time and I never got around to studying my code. (Mainly because I didn't know how to!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Fast forward a year later, 1990. I was 16 years old. I was looking through the continuing education catalouge offered by the Calgary Board of Education and noticed that CARA (Calgary Amateur Radio Assoc) was offering a complete course for $100.

By the time I started taking the course, Canada had just phased out the 12 WPM CW requirement and went to the 0 WPM->50 Mhz 5 WPM-160/80m 12 WPM-All regulations. I was completely elated!

6 weeks later I obtained my basic ticket and 2 months later I obtained my 5 WPM CW.

A month after I got my ticket, I purchased a Yaesu FT-209R. Boy, did I ever ragchew with that radio!

[KC2FDQ]

I'm not really sure "how" I got into amateur radio, but I'm glad I did! #I'm currently a junior in HS, and got my ticket back in 8th gr.,which seems like a long time ago.

I guess ham radio kinda runs in the family, because my dad, uncle, and grandfather, are also hams. #I took the Novice test, and passed it with flying colors but failed the tech that same night. #I passed the Tech in April '99. #I checked QRZ.com every day for my callsign. #It finally came, and got on the air within seconds, with my HTX-202.

After about a month or two, I started to learn the code. #By August '99, I passed the Tech Plus, and General theory in the same sitting. #I then studied hard for 3 weeks...and passed the "old" General code (13 wpm) in sept 99. #I took a break from test taking, using my "new" general privliges, for about 2 years.

Looking ahead to summer of '01, I had studied for the Extra exam, daily- using QRZ, eham, aa9pw, and NuTest. #I passed the Extra in Nov '01.

Matthew
KC2FDQ

[N2RJ]

In Trinidad and Tobago, where I used to live, I was fascinated by electronics. #I have been intensively involved in the electronics hobby from the age of about 5 or 6. #It started small, with several books my dad bought for me. #Also, he had taken a correspondence course from National Technical Schools, (who went out of business I believe) and he had a ton of the study materials and old parts from kits and other lying around. #So I picked them up and began reading. #I also began to build simple circuits in the books like crystal radio sets and little audio amplifiers.

We also had a commodore 64 computer, and I used to play around with that. My dad and I used to type in programs from Compute! Magazine. #He bought me several books like "kids and the commodore 64" which taught me BASIC programming. #That sparked my interest in computers, which was basically a natural extension of my interest in electronics.

When I was about 7, we went to Miami, FL for a while and my dad bought me a radioshack 160 in one electronic project kit. #I was hooked on that for months on end. #The interest in electronics grew and grew. #I remember going on for nights wiring up the projects in the book. #I never did finish all of the projects in the book though. #I did, however, build a few of them with parts outside of the kit.

When I was 11, I entered Presentation College, San Fernando, my high school. #we were all encouraged to take part in extra curricular activities like clubs and organizations. #I joined the boy scouts and I was looking for a club that would allow me to play around with Electronics. #Enter Mr. Tony Lee-Mack 9Y4AL, my English teacher. #He gave us all a demonstration of ham radio in the school's ham radio station, 9Y4PCS. #I immediately was hooked. #Next thing you know, it was down to the local book store to grab a copy of the RAE (Radio Amateur's Examination) manual.

My regular school life (and the proverbial smells of perfume and gasoline) sort of set back my ham radio interests, until my final year in high school. I did, however, get involved with the school's ham radio club, and we did many projects and had lots of fun. #We also did a few ham radio assisted events, like the school's annual sports day, where ham radio was used to relay the results of track and field.

In 1997, a few months before I graduated, I decided to bite the bullet and take the test. #I remember going in the exam room, and doing the multiple choice questions. #I also remember being the only one there in school uniform with a huge scientific calculator, doing calculations like it was a normal school exam. #Basically I was over prepared, but it was only because I had a genuine passion for the hobby, and I would not feel right just guessing through the paper.

A few months later, Mr. Lee Mack called me and told me congratulations, that he got my results and that I passed. #I was so overjoyed. #

RAE certificate in hand, I got my first no code license in October 1997. #This was because the telecommunications director had decided to arbitrary cancel the code exam. #What a bummer. #I was really angry because I had to pay TT$26 taxi fare (two way trip), plus take a day off from work. The telecomms office is in port of spain, which was made it a whole day affair. #But anyway, October 30, 1997, I became a HAM. #I was so thrilled!! I had gotten a 2 meter HT (Kenwood TH-215A) and made my first QSO with 9Y4FP (Fitzroy), and he congratulated me on getting my license. #I then was re-scheduled for the code test in December, and I passed with flying colours (code is easy, trust me).

After living my ham life in TT for a few years, career steadily progressing, I was faced with the "Say I do or die" decision. I knew the smells of perfume and gasoline would land me in trouble one day http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif. #Oh well. So I walked off the deep end and ended up moving to NYC. #After getting over the culture shock, and landing a new job, #in May 2001 I decided to buy a VX-5. #I also began looking around for ham exams. #I did my exams with Kings County Repeater Association in Brooklyn in June. #I passed all four elements in one night and became an instant extra. #

Around that time, Guy Richman KC2AYG introduced me to NYC ARES. #I subsequently joined and have been having a ball ever since. #Then September 11 happened. #At that point I was only too willing to serve my new home country in its time of crisis. #That I did, and never looked back ever since.

That, my friends, is how I became a HAM!

73,
Ryan A. Jairam AB2MH.

[WB6CKA]

My father was stationed at Tachikawa A.F.B, Japan in 1968. I ran into another teenager in high school that had all kinds of radio equipment in his room at home. I had had no dealings with radio up to that point, but was always tinkering with anything that was electrical. ( If it didn't move ... I'd take it apart to see what made it tick! ) He introduced me to ham radio, although he was not a ham yet himself!

#We both became obsessed with the hobby and eventually found out about the MARS station on base. We started going over to the MARS station on a daily basis and the station custodian would let us piddle around in the repair room, and help with running phone patches and MARSGRAMS to the states. The custodian (who's call I do not recall now) saw that we were serious about ham radio, so he gave us the study materials to take #the test ... and sent off for the tests when we were ready. ( We took the "Conditional General" test by mail, back then.)

#When the tests arrived, he sat us down in the MARS station and administered the CW test, then the written test. He sent them off to the states after we were done, then came the long wait to see if we had passed the written portion. If you passed ... your license would be mailed to the stateside address that you had put on your application ... You would have to wait for it to be mailed to you from that stateside address. ( Sometime in 1969 I (we) received our amateur radio licenses ... cloud 9! )

#We were still hanging out at the MARS station, but we were steadily building our own stations at home. We got our hands on a couple of rigs, but we had to build most of the other things such as power supplies, T/R switches, phone patches, etc., etc., etc.(We did also build a couple of transmitters that we used on the air on 20 & 40 meters.) We were kids and didn't work, so we couldn't just run out and buy the latest rigs and stuff on the market. The station custodian would help us out with parts, here and there, but we used to go to Akihabara, Japan and buy most of the parts we needed with what little money we had from allowances. My first station was a borrowed Globe 90 transmitter and a Lafayette HA-225 receiver. (Strictly a CW station.)

#Since I was sort of stuck operating CW ... that's the way I made my contacts on the band. I spent many hours talking to the Russian operators, since we were so close to Russia.( That also brought inquiries from the OSI on base ... wondering what a kid was doing receiving cards with a "hammer & sickle" on them, through the mail.) My code improved and it eventually became second nature after awhile. ( Later, when I could afford a SSB/CW rig ... I opted to stay with CW most of the time ... and still do to this day! )

#I let my license lapse somewhere around 1974. I dabbled with CB's in later years, but never really enjoyed them that much. I met some really nice people in the CB realm, but there was always something lacking with that hobby(for me). I ran into a couple of hams in Hemet, Ca. in 1987 (N6JOP & KB6OOV) and my interest in ham radio was rekindled. I was licensed as KB6UJN then, then later changed back to my old callsign.

Martin J. Hall
WB6CKA

[Phineas]

I started out on CB/11meters. One day, I was traveling through Troy Ill, and came a cross a CB shop. There is a fello Marine named Mike that works there. We got to talking and he told me how easy it was to just go take the test, and get a HAM license. Well, about 2 weeks later, I passed the Tech. Drove all the way to Poplar Bluff to take it . Then 3 weeks later passed the General, and the code(Same Place). Too early to tell if it was really worth it or not. I can tell it is a pleasure to meet people who I would normally not meet under different circumstances. #Now, on to the Extra. CW has been a blast, if you can get people to tolerate the slower code...lol

Phineas
KC0LSC

I have always been interested in radio as long as I can remember, and was an off and on SWL since I was 10 or so. About 95 I purchased a Zeinth Trans-Oceanic receiver and started listening to hams, and when I discovered I could moniter 2m repeators I was hooked. I purchased Now Your Talking at Radio shack and started to study. Then I heard a PSA on a local radio station that the local club was having classes. I started the class, got my tech halfway through, my General a month later, and Advanced not long after that (I passed the extra theory, but missed the code by 1 question and never went back to try again..now I am happy with my advanced).

More than anyone I owe my getting started to N4NH who ran the class and the Western Carolina Amatuer Radio Society who put it on.

[w2ger]

The bug bit me when I read an article in the July 1951 (yes, lads, 1951) issue of Boys' Life (the Boy Scouts magazine). #It told of the wonders of ham radio, and featured a young fellow named Vic Clark, W4KCF (who later was president of the ARRL).

I wonder if anybody else out there traces his ham origins to that article?

Gerry, W2GER, ex-WB2VMQ

(I've corrected "1950" (above) to "1951.)

[KF4BOT]

There are many factors that contributed to my becoming a ham. I discovered back in the early sixties, at age 8 or so, that there was more on my AM radio dial than just the local broadcast stations. I discovered that I was able to tune in stations from all over the eastern half of the United States and Canada, from Canada to Florida, and all the way to the Mississippi River, from my QTH in New York City. This phenomenon began in twilight and continued through the night until dawn. By 1969, I compiled a "Radio Log" of approximately 300 AM radio stations. I listed the stations by callsign in order by frequency, and included the stations' formats.

In 1970, I bought a Grundig Transistor-860, which was a huge portable radio that tuned in AM, FM, Shortwave (6-16 MHz) and "Marine Band" (1.6-4.5 MHz). Anyone who knows about Grundig radios knows that Grundigs are among highest quality radios with the best receivers and quality sound made. Enter the age of SWL. On my Grundig, I tuned in SW broadcasts from all over the globe. I listened to Radio Moscow nightly in the early to mid-seventies. I was curious about the Soviet Union, the adversary counterpart to our USA. I wanted to know how the average Muscovite lived, although I knew I'd never get the truth from Radio Moscow's propaganda. When peace was declared in Vietnam in early 1973, Radio Moscow spoke about the North's victory. The 1973 peace treaty was supposed to be a draw between North and South (like Korea). Little did I know about the North's plans to invade 2 years later and take the whole country. The broadcasters on Radio Moscow seemed to know about it, though, the way they spoke about how the North won the war.

Unfortunately, the Grundig was incapable of receiving sideband. I heard the weird sounding vup vup vup from the hams, but was unable to listen. I didn't even know what that weird sound was at the time.

I'd been receiving Lafayette catalogs from 1967 until they folded in 1980, because of the reel-to-reel portable tape recorder that my parents bought me when I was 13. Looking through the catalog, I became interested in the CB equipment. I didn't know what CB was. All I knew was that it was 2-way radio where I could talk. I thought it was either some sort of car-phone, or maybe it was ham radio. In the catalog, it was indicated that a FCC license was needed, so I thought it might have been ham. Unlike a lot of people today, which know nothing about ham radio and think its CB, I've known about ham radio, and the fact that you can talk to distant places since I was 9 or 10. In 1968 I asked my father to buy me one of those 2-way radios (CB). Unfortunately, he refused. The want faded after 1969 and didn't return again until 1977.

In January 1977, a friend of mine bought a CB radio. He wanted me to come over to see his new radio. I was absolutely fascinated by it. Two months later, I bought my first CB. I started out with a "Smokey" brand 23 channel AM radio and a base-loaded trunk-mount mobile antenna, propped up in the corner of my bedroom. For a power supply, I used the 9V 500 mA power supply from the Grundig portable shortwave radio that I had. I didn't get out too far with this setup, but some CB'rs a block or so away did have an S9 copy on me. With coaching from the guys on the channel, I got a 13.8 V 3A power supply and a quarter wave ground plane antenna for the roof. One of the locals even helped me put the antenna up. Sideband and a D-104 came a year later. I was hooked. Radio was in my blood. I began to self-teach myself about radio and electronics. It was in 1978 that I first started talking about getting a General class ham license. I figured that I could convert my sideband radio with the 858 chassis easily to 10 meters. That same radio is alive and well on 10 today.

After relocating to South Florida in 1980, I went to electronics school in 1981 and received my Second Class Radiotelephone license with Radar Endorsement. I knew enough theory to pass an Extra class Amateur exam. What held me back was the code. I didn't find out about the no-code Tech license until 1995. I aced the Tech exam, and even passed the written test for General, but once again, it was the code that held me back. I got the Tech license in 1995 along with a certificate good for 1 year as credit toward the General if I could pass a 13 WPM code test before the year was up. Needless to say, it expired. I wanted to eventually go for the Tech Plus, and then the General, but it didn't happen until the FCC's restructuring, which was to go into effect on 4/15/00, was announced. In 1995, I started to learn the code using Gordon West tapes. I wasn't doing too good, and shelfed it. In 1998, I downloaded Ham University software off the Internet. By the time I got half way through the alphabet, all the letters seemed to blend together and were confusing to me. I shelfed it again. Same thing happened in 1999. In January, 2000, when I heard about the restructuring, I made it my business to learn the code, do or die. After 2 months of hard study and practice every day, I was ready for the test on 3/8/00. The day of the exam, I did a lot of practice and did very well. I expected the code test to be no problem. That evening, I breezed through the written test for General, getting only 2 wrong. Then I took the 5 WPM code test. I was having a hard time. I did my best, and wrote down what I could make out of those dits and dahs. I couldn't get one minute of perfect code copy. I had to take the written multiple choice code test. By process of elimination of the question choices, and with my pieces of the puzzle from what I copied, I was able to score 9 out of 10 on the written code test. I was a Tech Plus immediately, and I filed the application for my administrative upgrade to General on 4/15/00, with the rest of the multitude that day.

Being that I learned all the stuff that one would find on an Extra exam 20 years ago, I was very rusty. I'd forgotten most of it. I bought the ARRL Extra Class License Manual in July 2000. The size and thickness of the ARRL book intimidated me. I felt that I would have to psych myself up before I could start studying for the Extra. I expected an extremely difficult exam. When I found out that the question pool was about to be changed and made more difficult in July 2002, I was determined to get my "Final Exam" over with before July. At the Miami Hamfest in early February of this year, I picked up a Gordon West Extra Class License Manual. The Gordon West book was a lot smaller and thinner than its ARRL counterpart. After going through the pool once, I took a practice test on QRZ. I got 17 wrong and failed. I knew I wasn't ready. By the time I'd gone through the pool twice, I knew I was ready. That was 3 weeks after I started studying. I took a practice test and got only 6 wrong. The next practice test was only 3 wrong. I was consistently getting anywhere from 0-3 wrong on practice tests. Despite the fact that I was ready, I still had to wait 2 more weeks for a test session. I took 3 practice tests the day of the real thing. I aced the first 2 and got 1 wrong on the third practice test. The night of the exam, I aced the real thing. The VE's couldn't believe that I aced it. They knew I couldn't have cheated, as I was sitting within a couple of feet from one and about 4 feet from another. All 3 VE's checked my paper to verify that I in fact aced it. That was on 3/11. The FCC processed me on 3/20, and I received my paper license in the mail on 3/23.

Once I was ready for the test, I realized that it was far easier than I originally perceived it would be. If I'd had known this, I would have upgraded to Extra one month after getting the General. In reality, I breezed through the Extra exam a lot easier than the General. Getting the Extra was anticlimactic after the General. The theory that I learned in Electronics School went a lot deeper than any amateur radio test that I would ever take. It was a matter of having everything I was rusty on come back to me. Of course, I had to learn some new concepts. Direct Digital and sideband compandoring weren't around in 1981. Satellites and spread spectrum were also new to me. The computations and formulas were old hat.

To sum up, I did it all on my own without an elmer. I would have preferred to have an elmer, though. That is one thing that I, and many like me will never know.

[W3ZJ]

I got my first ticket back in 1952 at age 12. There was no CB back then, in fact at that time, the 11 meter band was a ham band. I got interested in building radios when my Dad (who was not a ham) gave me an AM radio kit for Christmas. I was probably about 10 years old at the time. I followed the directions, put it together and I can still remember the thrill, when I hooked it up to its 45 volt dry cell battery and it worked – WOW, I built it and it really works. Not long after that I saw an article in Boys Life magazine on how to build a “Short Wave” radio. Well I showed it to my Dad, he helped me to scrounge up the parts and I built that. It worked too only now I was listening to ham radio operators on 75 meters.

Who were these guys and could I do that? Well, one of them mentioned on the air something about a ham radio magazine called QST. I hopped on my bike and peddled down to our local newspaper/magazine store in search of this strange titled magazine. The owner whom everybody in town knew quite well saw me rummaging through the magazine rack and asked me what I was looking for. I said QST. He frowned and said I don’t think I have that but I can get it for you. Great, I said and I peddled home disappointed. A couple of days later I was in the store and he came up to me with a big smile and handed me a copy of QST. #Well I took it home and read it cover to cover. I didn’t understand much of it but I still read it. The next day I took it to school and on the way out of the schoolyard, this kid, Tom Lyle, who was 1 grade behind me in school saw it and asked me if I was a ham. Then he said, my Dad is a ham would like to see his station. So, I followed Tom Lyle home and upstairs in a spare bedroom was this array of equipment the likes of which I had never seen before. Soon, his Dad came home from work showed me how all this stuff worked and I was hooked for life. The next week Tom’s Dad invited me to go with him to a radio club meeting. The club ran classes on code and theory so you can guess what I signed up for. A few moths later I had my Novice ticket and I was a Ham.

73, Rich – W3ZJ

[tkinney]

I found my intrest in radio back in Chicago when I stayed with my grandparents who let me listen to Police Calls that used to be at the end of the AM band. I passed my time looking at Allied Radio catalogs and wandering about their huge store when I wished I could operate the Collins Station they had set up for hams to try. I finally was able to take my Novice test in the days when they sent the test to you in a brown envelope and you had to find a General class, or was it A,B,C in those days to give you the code and written. The Novice could be taken every 3 months if you failed and included sending code.It was valid for 1 year and you could renew it once only. I finally passed it and my grandparents bought me my 1st Knight Kit . I also spent many hours at the electronic surplus store draging home all sorts of WW2 stuff on the bus.

Years went by and I found myself involved in the Civil Air Patrol in the early 70's, they used the old Regency HR-2 and RECAP 2 meter radios and so I found myself with several rigs that could also work the 2 meter repeaters. Well, I decided that I would just get a Tech ticket so I could make better use of my investment.

That was about 30 years ago, and I worked up to Extra Class, a VE, and active in ARES, MARS and CAP. I did have some help from local hams but not alot I guess, I have been in Govt service all my life and traveled all the time. Now that I have retired, at the age of 51 I have set up a reasonable station in my apartment as I am now a single man again and can do what I want.

Thinking back, it did seem like the hams from those early years were more friendly , but, I guess with things being what they are and nobody building anymore it is easier just to memorize the tests from the computer and buy your out of the box rigs and talk...oh well.

Tom KE9UE

[W7WV]

I first learned Morse Code as a Cub Scout. Not very good but we learned the basics.

My first exposure to a station was at age 12 when I met an older (by two years) guy who had a general class station. He tried to get me interested. I had other things to do that were more inportant or so it seemed.

I got drafted in 1966 into the Army. When they found out I knew a little CW they sent me to radio school (O5B20). I became an instructor myself for a little over a year. I have to admit we bootlegged a little back then with the "adopt a call" method. We were certainly not CB types beating up the bands like we have today.

In the mid 1970's, I got my first license, just a novice class. I played with that for about a year or so but the family needs and schooling for my apprenticship as an electronics mechanic for the US Navy had to come first so I gave it up. I never did get that magic upgrade to General Class.

After retiring in early 2001, and after talking to a few local hams about how easy it was to get on the air I took and passed the Tech + test. One week later I passed the General. I should have just taken it at the same time. A couple of months later I studied a lot of things I knew little about and passed the Extra.

The hobby has changed in many ways. There are so many ways to be involved now that simply were not there when I was in this hobby before. But I got back into it to Rag Chew on HF and that's what I enjoy. When my wife retires and we travel in the RV I'll be portable there too.

In many ways I wish that I had never let that Novice License expire. I have met a lot of nice people on the bands.

73's Ken

[kc0efs]

As like others into the hobby I started out with the 11 meter stuff....I was BIG time into it in the 70's....
Had all the toys and all....Then got out of it untill 1995..
Dug out the old CB to go camping / 4x4ing with several friends...it was a way of communicating with each other..
Well the thing broke....
I went over to the local truck stop and had it fixed...I was very interested in the guy who was fixing the radio and started to watch him work his magic...(An old navy radio man) (He was like a MacGyver, a secret agent man) He could make a radio out of two old spoons...
Well... he taught me a few things (enough to make me dangerous to the inside of a radio I guess) And once again I had ALL THE TOYS for CB...
Then you know I got tired of all the JUNK that goes on on the CB and wanted more....So I got the "Now Your Talking book" and started to study it all by myself....Have had fun ever since.....
73's all....

[VA7BRO]

I was bitten by "the bug" several years ago as a scout at a JOTA. We all camped out at the VE7ZZZ contest site near prince george bc. We got to talk on hf all over north america, as well as to australia. years passed, and I joined Prince George Search and Rescue, and after becomming communications officer I decided to get my basic license (I think the US equivalent is no code technician) in case we had to use an amateur repeater rather than our own. I did my course via a local ham's internet company, and tested last august. Now I have my first radio comming in the mail as we speak.

Brodie Otway
VA7BRO

[AB7RG]

I first got interested in Amateur Radio as soon as I heard about it. I first heard about Amateur Radio in early 1995 from a magazine in Radio Shack, called appropriately enough; "Radio". There was an article in it by WB6NOA, Gorden West, about Amateur Radio, which interested me greatly. This was in the spring of 1995, at age 23. I was first licensed in May of 1995.

I went to my first Field Day in 1995, and once I got to hear the excitement of the HF bands, I knew that's where I wanted to do the majority of my operating. So it was off to learn CW! This took a while, but after many hours of practice I got it down pat, and went, took, and subsequently passed my code test. I went back a week later and took my written test for General, and passed that with a 100% score. This was in February of 1996.

I took a bit of a break then and enjoyed my new operating privileges. Then I decided to study for my Advanced Class license. That took me a few weeks of intense studying, but I managed, and again passed with a 100% score. I didn't bother to get an Advanced class callsign, as I knew that I would be back to take my Extra Class exam in a couple of weeks, which I did and passed with another 100% score. This was in late May 1996. I then changed my callsign to reflect my new license class. I also became a V.E. (Volunteer Examiner) for both the ARRL & for W5YI. It's great to be on the other side of the examination table! Not to mention that it is very rewarding to be able to give back to the Amateur community as it has given me so much already.

Needless to say, I totally love each and every aspect, band, mode, etc. that Amateur Radio has to offer, and continue to learn as much about it as I can. My studying hasn't stopped with the upgrades, and it never will. I love to learn about new things, especially about Amateur Radio. I love it every bit as much now or more than I did when I first heard about it.

73 Clinton AB7RG

[n3wkm]

My tale begins like many other hams. I was bitten by the radio bug when I was in the fifth grade. I found a crystal radio project to build for a 4-H project. My father, an electrical engineer, got excited at the thought that his first born son was interested in electronics at such a young age. We went to Radio Shack, bought the parts, and built the thing that evening. It amazed me that I could hear radio stations with this thing. The following year, 1975, I got interested in C.B. radio and was active on it for a number of years.
Fast forward to 1980. C.B. radio took a back burner to girls, cars, friends, etc. I graduated high school in 1982 and joined the U.S. Army in early 1983, my MOS training was at a Navy cryptologic school where I had access to the latest in radio technology. At various times during my stint in the Army I got involved again in C.B. radio but conducted all my operations on SSB. Working DX on SSB whetted my appetite once more to join the ranks of the Amateur Radio community. I wanted to get my ham ticket but I was intimidated by the test. I had learned C.W. during my MOS training so I thought that I had the hard part out of the way. I finally took the test in November 1995 and earned my Technician license. I upgraded my ticket to General on April 1, 1996 and I plan to get my Extra whenever I can find time to study.

[K2UP]

Both of my parents were Hams. My father tried to get me and my three brothers interested, but to no avail. I did take 4 years of vocational electronics courses in high school, though. In college, I was homesick and wanted to please my parents and have more excuses to talk to them. I studied on my own, used a paper tape code machine to practice morse, and found an examining site in Detroit. I sat for my novice, general and advanced on the same day. The guys encouraged me to try for the extra, too, but I couldn't quite muster 20 wpm that day. After all, I had only learned the code in the previous month. My first gear was homebrew, but I had a TenTec RX-10 which I bought at Purchase Radio in Ann Arbor, MI for $29.00 used. I sure miss that TenTec! I am now a ham 25 years. All of my gear is still kit assembled or home-brew!

[KC8TJW]

Well let's see. I just got my license in the mail yesterday, and this is my first post. The first time that I had even seen a HAM radio was a year ago.

I am a member of a Rally crew who runs SCCA Pro Rally. Our driver and Crew Chief both have their tickets and were using them to talk throughout the course of the Rally. Also most of the SCCA run a Net that allows the event coordinators to know what is going on. After listening to the Net and to our driver I became very interested in it.

I finally borrowed a book from one of them to read up on becoming a HAM. I study the book and found the QRZ.com practice tests. I took my test about 2 weeks ago and just got my ticket.

I have been listening to the local repeaters on my new Alinco for the past two weeks, and now that I have my ticket I guess that I will have to install my new Yeasu 1500m in my car so that I can actually start talking. Well that is about it.

Time to get on the AIR.

KC8TJW, Jon

[ke5wj]

My dad K5PEV ex-W8KLH was a ham for as long as I knew and he always encouraged #me to get my ticket, but never pushed too hard. I was an avid SWL, but I had no use for CW so never took advantage of it as a kid. He taught several aspiring hams and conducted CW classes but I was never interested. I went with him and waited. Hamfests and his trips to the "ham store" entrigued me and I usually went along.

In 1970, after my first year in college, I ended up working a summer in the oil field in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do after work, but listen to my SW radio. I went to the local library, wrote down the CW alphabet from an encyclopedia, memorized it and practiced listening on the air for a couple weeks - nothing else to do. Then I found a house with a BIG antenna and knocked on the door and asked if there was a ham there, which there was. He gave me the CW novice test right on the spot and sent off for the written exam which arrived in a week or two, gave that and I passed it about 2 weeks before summer was over and I went back home. All that time I never said a word about it to my dad.

He found out when the FCC sent my ticket to the house and he opened it, thinking it must be mail for him (I'm a Junior), so it was he who informed me that I was WN5CLS. I will never forget the smile on his face! My greatest thrill was my first QSO with K5PEV. Sure wish he was physically able to have a QSO with me now ...

After being a novice, my ticket lapsed because I messed up my hand and couldn't pass the sending CW test - of all things! When I got out of college and had more time, I looked for another big antenna, found a local ham in New Orleans and found out how to get a ticket again. I quickly passed the new Novice test in about 1976, set up a rig, made a QSO to Houston, and asked the other fellow to call my dad to get on the air. That is my 2nd most memorable QSO, when he realized who WB5YLC was.

Back then all the exams except Novice were only given in the FCC office, but luckily I worked about 2 blocks from the FCC office in New Orleans. I quickly passed the Technician, General, and Advanced before they changed the system to the VECs. It took me a while to get Extra, mainly due to work and family commitments - never due to CW.

So, I didn't "officially" have an Elmer, but my dad must have Elmered good. Although I studied engineering and electronics, most of what I learned about ham radio (and lots of other things!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif was from my dad during the time I had no use for CW. Ironically, I use CW more than any other mode and periodically kick myself for not taking advantage of my Elmer when I was younger.

Walt
WPE5ECA, Ex-WN5CLS, WB5YLC

[KC8TCQ]

I had several influences, the first being my uncle, he is a quadrapalegic (not sure of correct spelling). He was into radios. electronics and science. He would order the old Heathkits, and I became his hands when we would visit him. He then started giving me kits to assemble for my birthday or christmas. He also gave me a few SW recievers including a Drake and a Grundig.

My second influence was my father who had a CB radio in his work van, I used to ride with him in the summer to help him. I picked up an older 40 ch am/SSB radio and hooked it up at home.

Yeahs later I am grown up, and living in another town and talking with a bunch of the local cb club and I meet Shelby WA8FVT, he started to encourage me to get my ham ticket.

Again a year or two go by and I am working with the American Red Cross disaster services, hihi it seemed that every time I'd get ready to take my test I would get sent out on a disaster assignment. So when I returned home from working in NYC for 85 days I took the test and here I am. I am now working on my code and studying for my General.

73 de Keith

[kc8bar]

Well, my first exposure to ham radio was in 1967-68. I met a ham (Alex, K1GSR) who was living in the same dorm I was in Milwaukee. During that time, we frequented the Heathkit store, where he purchased a Heathkit 2 meter "lunchbox". I learned about antennas, temperature inversions (the summer of '68 was a scorcher) and he worked Chicago, Madison, WI., and Muskegon, MI. from Milwaukee, among others.
All that knowledge sat dormant until 1995, when a friend was talking about getting his ticket. I'm not sure if I was aware of the no code tech license at the time, but after recovering the earlier knowlege and a bit of studying on my own, I passed the tech exam in September 1995. After a try at the general written (which I passed) and the 5 WPM code (which I didn't) in 1997, I just sort of let things ride. Then in early 2000, my club (Big Rapids, MI. amateur radio club) started an on the air CW practice net on 2 meters. That was just the right thing to get me over the hump. I passed the code and (re)passed the General written on 4/1/00, then the paperwork upgrade on 4/15. Then, with the help of the QRZ practice tests (both General and Extra), I passed the Extra written in July 2000.
73s to all. KC8BAR

[KD5RWO]

I just got my ticket this evening. My 12 year old daughter brought home the book & I started to read it & then I tested myself. I got a 60 and said I think I can do this. I studied for less than 2 weeks, took the test in about 20 min., passed. My father was ham in a radio club & I allways wanted to do it. I was going to do it when I retired. So thats my story.....Tell me??? Whats the best way or book to learn code? Joe Tag.....Northwest Arkansas

[AE6FJ]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif How did I become a ham? Well, it's not a real deep story, but since you've asked...

When I was in about 8th grade, I had my first exposure to Ham Radio. Our class had been assigned some sort of presentation I don't remember what exactly the assignment was, I don't remember even what I did for the presentation myself http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif , but I remember that one of my classmates did his presentation on Ham Radio. He brought in his transceiver, he brought in some of his QSL cards, he brought in a sheet that explained a lot of the Q codes, and other radio lingo. I remember finding it quite interesting. Fast forward about 18 months/2 years; to when I had the chance to get into an amateur radio class that was taught in the church affiliated scouting group I was in. Retrospectively, I wish I'd have gone out and tried for my license then... As part of that class, we'd had to do a 5 wpm code test, and quite a bit of other stuff. I didn't do anything with it at that time (other than completing the merit badge). Then, in about 1994, my father took a class and earned his "No-Code Tech" license. Soon after, my mother earned her license, and then not long after that, even my younger sister earned her license. My father had given me the study guide, and tried talking me into taking my test for some time, however I always had "other more important things" going on. However, having been big into the computer world, the Internet, Computers, and various sorts of communications, and the fact that I was now the only one in the family without my license, I finally decided that it was time. I dug into "Now you're talking" and studied up on all the various topics in the question pool. In late September,2000 I went and took the test and passed. A couple weeks later, I received my call; KG6DNJ, and got on the air. I was hooked. Within a month, I'd completed the ARRL Friendship award. In February, 2001 I went and took the Code and General written tests, and completed the upgrade. I jumped into the HF world, trying my hand at contesting, and other aspects of the radio world. Though I didn't have real regular access to HF, I managed to complete WAS in under a year, became a VE, and as we speak, I'm cramming, preparing to take the Extra test in a couple days. In the roughly 18 months that I've been a Ham, I've been reunited with three or four old friends that I'd known from before, as well as making a bunch of new friends. I've gotten involved in RACES, ARES, and MARS and I've been having a great time. My only regret is that I didn't get into it sooner.

[KG4PYX]

Hello fellow ham's, new and old. This may jump around a little, but bear with me.

I am a career firefighter/paramedic for the Clayton County Fire Department and a volunteer firefighter for the City of Jonesboro Fire Department, our county seat. I live about 20 miles south of downtown Atlanta. The career station I am assigned to is between the flight paths, 1/2 mile east of Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport.

One day, in July of 2001, an EMT friend of mine wanted to know if I wanted to ride to the other side of Atlanta with him, he had to go to a place called HRO to get an antenna for his new truck. Not having anything better to do, I jumped in and off we went. We pulled into this little shopping center, got out and walked into heaven for me. I have always been a electronics hobbyist, following a short stint in the Army. I'll get to that a little later. While in HRO, I picked up Gordon West's Technician Class study book, and began looking through it, finding I knew most of the answers already.

My electronics training came by way of Uncle Sam at Fort Devens, Mass. I attended the Electronic Warfare, Intercept Systems Repairer, 33S, course there, graduating in April of 1983. While there, I remember a Dot-Head (what we called a student in the 05H, Morse Code Interceptor course) was studying for some kind of radio license. The morning he was going into Boston to take the test at the FCC Field Office, several of my fellow 33's decided to tag along and give it a shot. Well, we all passed the written, but only the Dot-Head got the code. I assume you had to have both, because I never got a license. Not having much bench experience after I got out, I ended up working as a fireman starting in 1984.

After years of blood, brains, and dead kids. (Why do people put 7 people in a Geo Tracker, or an Isuzu Rodeo and not make them wear belts?) Well, after working numerous wrecks with overloaded cars and no seatbelt use, I decided it was time for a new distractor. Now I had my Technician's study book.

Well, along comes September 11, 2001. I was on duty. It was a very tense day for us all. We could not sleep at night because it was too quiet, no planes coming and going. In just a couple of days, we are all of a sudden going to classes learning about stuff we should never have to know. All of my free time is gone. Between the career and volunteer departments, I am putting in 100 hours a week. 48-72 for the job, the rest volunteer.

On Friday night, November 4, 2001, I found myself with no classes or obligations for the weekend. I was searching through www.qrz.com and www.arrl.com, and found the Alford Memorial Radio Club Hamfest on that Saturday and Sunday. I set my alarm to get up early to make the 50 mile drive, grabbed my study book and perused it quickly, to refresh myself. Saturday morning I took the Technician Class test and passed it. Spent the rest of the weekend talkingot vendors and other hams and just soaking up knowledge. What a nice break. The following thursday, QRZ had my call posted. My EMT friend loaned me his Kenwood TH-D700, and on the air I went. Thanks Steven. I am now taking more time for myself, joined the Atlanta Radio Club, the Skywarn group as a Net Control Operator for WX4PTC, NWS-PTC office, volunteer with STARS, (the Sci-Trek Amatuer Radio Society at the Science Museum of Atlanta) and am working on some antenna and repeater projects. I love every minute of it.

Thanks to all of you that give back, and make this a good hobby.

73's

Chris Wilkie, KG4PYX
Jonesboro, GA

[WD5W]

Joe, KD5RWO, in answer to your question about learning code, find the way that works best for you. I started with the Gordon West tapes I picked up at Radio Shack. I never got past the first couple of sessions on the first side of the first tape. Then I picked up up some CD's, Copy This and Pass...same results. It just wasn't clicking for me (no pun intended). I had talked to several people here who used some different things, some for computer, some on CD.

On recommendation, I checked out the web site for Code Quick and it seemed to gel for me when I heard their demo of the letter D. I ordered their CD's which have practice software and audio classes on them. The bad thing about using CD's or tapes is that you can actually start to memorize the lessons if you listen to them long enough, meaning you're not necessarily learning the code, but learning what letter comes next because it always comes up the same every time. Between that and the fact that I couldn't use the CD's at work, I ordered an MFJ-418 Pocket Morse Code tutor. It gives you whatever code you tell it randomly and you can customize everything on it. The great thing is, you can take it anywhere and use it when you have a few minutes. I took it to work and used it on my breaks and lunches.

Between Code Quick and the Pocket Morse Code tutor, I picked up the code within a month. I didn't follow the Code Quick program to the letter because I couldn't practice with it the way the program recommends because I didn't always have my computer around.

Bottom line, try something. If it doesn't seem to work for you, try something else. What worked for me was a conglomeration of several methods- Code Quick, Koche and random code generation. Try enough things without giving up and you'll hit on the right method for you.

73's de Wayne

[n8avx]

Lots of good stories...

I was one of those kids that was always taking things apart. Got into electricity and electronics early, say about 5th grade. Had a few CB buddies. One also was a ham. It wasn't him that got me interested though. In 6th grade I met a guy whose brother was a ham. Went over to his house one day and saw all that neat equipment! This looked a LOT better than CB!

Got my license finally in 1975 when as a Junior in HS I started visiting the local ham club. I used to hang out in the basement of the American Red Cross bldg in Monroe, Michigan listeneing to the 2m net after the club meetings. The MCRCA had its club station there.

Dale Williams (WA8EFK) could pull call signs out of thin air it seemed. Did the same at Field Day, too. He would hear a call, tell me what it was and the signal report, I'd call it, and the guy would magically pop up out of the noise to acknowledge it. Later found out he was an A-1 Op. Hey Dale! I finally got me a Drake TR-4 and D-104 just like yours! Got an old FD pic with you and the rig...

Got my Novice CW test the old tried and true way, by trickery. They guy giving us the test said he was going to warm us up a bit before the test. Turned out the "warmup" was the test. We all passed. The written was easy for me... WN8RYN was mine...

Let it lapse, then got it back. Been N8AVX ever since. Have had a blast...

[K9TOY]

Planning on helping my nephew get his first ticket. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N9TTX]

I became interested in radio and electronics back in the 70's when the local Citezen Banders were running around town with their call letters taped across the back of their vehicles. I wanted to get my license when I heard that it could be had fairly easily, but I never did go and get my call letters for that service. I built a little crystal set from I believe Radio Shack one Christmas, and had fun sliding that little ball across the windings to pick up various stations. I recieved an electronics project kit one year also, and had drove teh family nuts with the sounds and such. I sort of let all that slide in the late 70's and early 80's while I concentrated on school and other interests. While at college in 1986, one of my dorm-mates had a CB for sale. It was a 23 channel AM rig, a Sparkomatic 2023, now known on the bands as "Sparky"...yes I still use it and it is still running strong and proud. I later purchased an old Midland 13-976 AM/SSB base and a large ground plane antenna. I learned many things during this period...high SWR and proximity to AC lines for a house (the antenna was originally placed 10 feet up at the AC feedpoint for my apartment with no grounding post---never tuned the antenna either) do nat make for a clean signal. I had the downstairs neighbors wondering if the house was haunted as they heard "voices" coming out of their clock radios late at night. I moved it to the roof, and cleaned up the station, and WOW! had a better signal and range. Talking to Australia on 4 watts of power was fantastic. I bought a SSB rig for the truck and put a 102" whip off the back. I had fun (and got looks) shooting skip all over 11 meter by grounding the truck in the boat landing of the local lake. I learned to fix my own equipment and tinker around. Yes I did freeband as I think practically everyone did if they could. One of my CB friends (Grandad) who was also a ham operator N9NCW came up to me one day and asked me if I was going to get my ticket the coming weekend during the testing session. I thought that I needed morse code yet, but he told me about the tech-no-code class, and I went and got the Gordon West books and studied for 5 days and passed both. He and others essentially "Elmered" me then and currently. I have since passed my 5WPM code, and then upgraded to General and am currently studying for Extra class. I collect old Tube rigs (CB and others), I run Ranger rigs on 10 meter, my passion band, as well as my Yaesu FT 101E on 10 and down. I run Field days with a G5RV, Cushcraft A3 triband beam, as well as a ventenna for 2 meter, and a stealth dipole cut for 20 meter and tuned down for 10 meter which is located 8 feet up inside a building. I enjoy everything about radio no matter which service I run. It is the talking to/meeting new people, the experimenting with radio/antennas, getting inside and learning how NOT to let the smoke out, and helping others to enjoy a hobby of communication. I have since helped other fellow CBer's get their ticket and love to turn heads with the mobile porcupine. See you on the air, 73.

Dave Aho
N9TTX (ham) & AE-976 (channel 38 LSB CB). I QSL for both.

[yv6azc]

Dear Wayne,
You have got your goal through a terrific effort. That is a great award for the fellow ham that tried to recruit you in Tennessee. Wherever he is, you have thanked him in the best way.
Congratulations.
José

[ve9msd]

I also got started in Ham radio, by first being a C.B. fanatic back in the 80's.
I never knew ham radio existed until my husband's uncle dropped in one day with his 2 meter portable. #He let me make a contact and I was hooked. #I studied at home, by borrowing a book, and passed my basic licence with flying colors. #It was nice to talk locally.....but I wanted more.
By then, I found out we had a local Ham Club....so took my Advanced class through the club. Which I also passed first go around. (Even had the OM take the door bell apart to teach me about electronics ) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
I did not hesitate, .....I needed the morse code; and it was either 5 w.p.m. to operate 80 meters, or 12 w.p.m. to get my full licence. #
A ham operator friend lent me his Super Morse program for the computer, and I sat there and practiced until, about a year later, decided it was "now or never". #Ended up being able to send about 20 w.p.m. and receive 15 w.p.m. #I passed!
Have been having the time of my life, and never regretted it.
So that's how I started out. #By the way, I even got my licence before my OM !!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

My Dad was a radio operator with the RAF in WW2. When I was about 6 years old, he made me a toy "radio" - just a wooden box with a couple of old, surplus dials and knobs, speaker grille, and a mic.

When I was a teenager, a friend of mine from school showed me his SWL shack. I was fascinated. He said he was going to become a ham, and I asked him how one went about this. He said that first one had to pass an exam. My face fell - he was from the Science and Technology stream at school, and I was from the "Arts" (Languages, History, &c) stream. So I just forgot about it. That was in the mid 1960s.

In the early 1908s, another friend - a former student of Fleetwood Nautical College - showed me his collection of valve transmitters and receivers. I was hooked again. In his opinion, notwithstanding my "Arts" education, I should study for the exam - any intelligent person should be able to grasp the basics.

I joined a night-class at the local college. It folded for lack of support! So I taught myself, by recording licence regulations, radio formulae, &c onto a tape recorder, and playing it back to myself over and over again. To my surprise, I passed the exam and got my licence.

What about CB? Well, along the way I had a CB station; this taught me one thing - that there was nothing mysterious or frightening about setting up and operating a radio station. It occurs to me now that when I was a teenager I had two minor ambitions - to operate my own radio station, and to ride a motorcycle - I never thought I would do either. As it turns out, I have been a motorcyclist for 27 years and a ham for 20!

Paul
GM6MEN
6m operator, and
"The Perthshire iLINK Mole"!

[wgowern]

I got my license in 1955 while taking an electronics class in high school. #There was a small ham station in the class and the teacher who was a ham said he would give anyone who became a ham an A in the course. #Well I just couldn't pass that up & I found that the code was very easy for me. #I was able to pass my test in only 2 weeks & needless to say I got my A & here I am 47 years later still a ham. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #73/cul-Bill (KR6DX)

[K7RME]

I first became interested in ham radio due to boredom in high school. The small southwestern Oklahoma town, in the early 1950's, offered very little in terms of education or new challenges so I looked for something to do. In those days of trains and depot agents, the click-clack of the telegraph interested me. I hung around the depot and pestered the agent to teach me the code. So my first experience was with the old "click-clack" Morse code, not the international Morse code. This was fascinating to me and I got permission from the high school principal to spend my study hall time at the depot. I could not believe the speed at which this guy was "talking" to the other agents. I also could not believe the amount of information he could hold in his head. He would talk to me, listen to the telegraph at the same time, then turn to the typewriter and type out several paragraphs of information. Amazing! So one thing led to another and before long I was learning a new code and taking the Novice exam. I guess we all remember that first call, mine was KN5BWD. (After the novice stage, K5BWD) I was on my way. After college at Oklahoma State University, I moved to Tucson in 1959 and became K7RME. I still picture in my mind my elmer sitting at the typewriter, recalling all those "clicks" and "clacks", and typing madly away! Then, turning to me and saying; "did you get any of that?"

[KA0QQN]

For me it started one day in 1962 when I was 10 years old. My brother and I were fooling around with a couple of 11 meter "walkie talkies", when we heard a third party enter into our conversation. Otto Rieben (KGI-2410) came by the house with his mobile rig. He mentioned to my dad that he was also a ham radio operator (W0JAC), and a Police Officer with the St. Louis P.D. I got permission to go back to his home with him where he showed me his shack.

Otto explained that he not only liked ham radio as a hobby, but he used it to stay in touch with friends back in the "old country". Prior to coming to this country, and becoming a police officer, Otto had been a member of the Pope's elite "Swiss Guard", and was now assigned to the communications division at the SLPD. Otto and I lost touch shortly after our initial meeting.

Fast foward nine years to 1971, where I got my first full time job, as a police cadet, assigned to the communication division at the SLPD. (Otto?)

I reunited with Otto, who asked me if I ever got my ham ticket. I explained that I had been hungup on the code as a youngster, but told him that I would try to get on it ASAP. (Promises, Promises)

Two years later, I was accepted in the Police Academy as a recruit in training, and upon graduation I was assigned to a beat car in a very busy district.

Ten years later I was pulled off of the street one evening, as there was a shortage of dispatchers. Because I had worked there before, I was put into emergency service at one of the console for the evening. Otto had retired and another officer, Jim Welby was seated next to me, working another district.He explained that his situation was the same. He too had worked there as a teenager, and was filling in for the evening. He had a Yeasu FT 207 HT sitting on the console, and was talking to a guy almost 60 miles away! I had no concept of repeaters or band openings, but the thought of talking great distances with small radios interested me. Jim, WB0ZJW gave me some study material and gave me my novice test.

My wife got her Tech+ (KB0ENM), and my brother has his as well. (N0UXH)

My dad saw all of the fun I was having and he decided to get involved with Amateur Radio. I was informed that he had passed his Tech,(KB0FJW) via 40 meters, while I was mobile, out of town.

Dad has since passed away, but he got a lot of joy from the hobby.

Otto changed his call (WA0LIB), and bought a brand new house in the country. I was told that he was pouring the concrete base for his tower at his new home when he had a massive heart attack and passed away.

Jim and I have both been promoted to Sergeant, and work out of the same police station.

Radio has been a big part of my life, both personal and professional, and it all started with a couple of low power 11 meter hand helds, and a guy named Otto.

73's de/KA0QQN

[w7uy]

I got interested in amateur radio in my late 40's. I was very lucky to have three elmers. They were my wife Jenny, N5DXD, my friend and former student Lee, W0VT and my father-in-law Perry, W5STI.

[kb2hpw]

I was always an avid electronics tinkerer probably since the age of 8, and in my teens was building homebrew effects "pedals" trying to pursue the guitar sound of the rock band Boston. But it wasn't until about 1987 in my early twenties that I discovered ham radio. I bought a scanner for my dad for a birthday, and in the process of searching for frequencies I stumbled upon a local 2m rptr. At that point I got my own scanner! Lot's of fun listening to the regulars, but I didn't know any hams and quite frankly didn't know how to get into the hobby. Almost a year later I ran across an ad in the paper adverstising a Novice course being held at a local community college, sponsored by Rensselaer County RACES. I immediatly signed up. I passed my Novice, and about 2 months later passed the Tech exam. (Joe KA2AXN and Bob WA2GYY put together an excellent program for RACES). I think about a dozen hams came out of that class and I still keep in contact with about half. The following 12 or so years have been a blast, good friends, good times, fun projects and Field Day's that get better each year.
73 de KB2HPW

[NI4NI]

I have always been interested in the "strange signals from the ether" ever since I was a small boy. By the time I was 14 I was "sucked in" by the CB craze running amok in America in the mid-70s. I had a neighborhood friend, Doug, who had at that time recently passed his Novice exam and was issued the call WN3DPR. Doug was 2 years older than I but 1 grade higher. For the most part anything he had done I usually wound up following in his footsteps a short time later.

I started studying for my Novice exam using reference materials obtained from the high school library in late 1976. By February '77 I felt confident in attempting the code portion, and passed it with flying colors. Theory portion followed shortly afterwards (both administered by George, WA3MWR), and on March 17th I received the call WB3GOK.

[ae5rc]

I used cb radio as a kid and had lots of fun with it. My parents made sure my brother and I knew the rules and
agreed to apply for a license for us. We received KEH-3036
I think was our call. We used the radios quite a bit and enjoyed it. A ham friend came over one day and he had a Heathkit installed in his car. (That took a pretty big part of the front seat in his car!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif He made a call and a ham from Oklahoma City answered. I got to say hello. That was big stuff, since we lived in East Texas, to talk all the way to Oklahoma.WOW!!!!! Fast forward to 1989...the Earthquake during the World Series...how will people communicate with family and others concerned? I remembered the ham contact in the 70's. Went to Radio Shack and bought the only material that store had....the NEW GENERAL CLASS material by WB6NOA.I was stunned, until I read closely that you started with the NOVICE CLASS by WB6NOA. Got that and was on my way. I did not have an elmer. I had a tape player for the code and a book to study. Used the Gordo method for all tests through Extra in 1994. I have enjoyed ham radio so much over the years and am grateful that David Martin, WA5KCP took the time to demonstrate a contact on the radio that day so long ago!!!!73. KB5LPA

[AB0MV]

In 1995 I was flooded out of my apt and afterwards became a Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer. In Spet. 1996, Hurricane Fran hit NC. While helping to staff a shelter, I watched a 12 year girl ham do all the emergency communications for our shelter in the middle of the night when our phones and lights were out. I thought it was the coolest thing and talked to her most of the night when she was not communicating on the air. I got my first ham license 4 months later (KF4OAD then) and was very active in ARESin NC. Now my interests are mostly HF, contesting, chasing DX and awards.

[KC0IUW]

I first "followed" ham radio back in the late 60's and early seventies. #I got hooked on listening to the Field Day contacts. # (Where the heck is that call sign from?) A friend and I pooled money and built an HR10B from Heathkit. #We tried to study the code with flashlights (!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Worked for him not for me. #He became a Novice but I don't think he progressed any further. #Fast forward to 2000. #Middle age. #Change in licensing catches my eye. #I convince a friend we should go for the Tech license. #We spur each other on and pass in August. #I passed written for General at same time. #Decide I want to get General before code testing changes again. #Passed that in November just before major knee replacement. #Enjoyed it ever since. #I am living out a life long dream and I like it.

[n8ary]

I did about the same thing, except I started a little on CB in the early 90's, Worked on f-15 aircraft radios, got into FRS radios for a few weeks, then found out about no-code tech. in 2000. I got my license in October 2000 and upgraded to Extra last night.

[W7EG]

Once, long ago, when I was just a wee sprat, I pestered my parents for a CB radio. This would have been about 1975, and back then CB was only 23 channels and still mostly civilized because the FCC still required a license. It was fun, for a while, but after meeting f2f some of the people I'd met on air, I realized that this was not really my crowd. Then, in the Hobby Hall of the Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup I saw a booth manned by a couple of older fellows that had an interesting display of radio gear that I knew right away was not CB. There was even a guy playing with this funny thing on the desk to send Morse code. The gentlemen in the booth were from the Radio Club of Tacoma (W7DK) and before I left that booth I was signed up for their next Novice class. Shortly thereafter I had my Novice as WB7VGX and was studying the General theory element so I could get my Technician Class and had my membership in the club. As a Tech I was very involved in ARES, other forms of community service, and contesting. And yes, because I knew it's value, I always volunteered to work the booth at the Fair. Along the way I was Elmerd by long list, some of which are since SKs and one was a VE when I relicensed.

But like several of the stories that I've seen already, along came college and… Well, you know the story. Fast-forward twenty years. I'm chatting on-line with a fellow networking geek and he mentions that he's been thinking of getting his Ham license. He figured that since 802.11b wireless networking is taking the world by fire, he should have something to show prospective employers that he knows something about radio. Next thing I know, we've got a race going to see who can make Extra Class first. The FCC just posted my new call as a General (KD7QLJ) and I've got my study guide for Extra.

It will be nice to be back in the booth at the Fair this fall.

[KC8SSG]

Well when I was about 12. I read a book call "Today I am a Ham" and that got the thought in my mind. I didn't do anything about it til I was 32. Then I contacted a local ham John W8NM Mellet and he started tutoring me.He has been helping me along with all the other guys in the club. And as of this year I will be elected the president of my area club.Stop by and check out our website. http://www.qsl.net/w8tnx

[wh6lr]

Boy this will sounds like a broken record but a good one. back in the 70's my dad was a big time CB'er and I use to listen to him talk all kind of station's. Got my own CB a year later and started and for the next 12 years was CB. Went to College, Join the Army and was stationed at Fort ORD,CA was happy with CB. I recieved orders to moved to Hawaii and got there put the radio back into the car and heard a drug deal going down on CB and got real upset! I was complaining and a ham heard me and said there is a better way! I said show me, He had a Kenwood 440 in his car and tune in 20m's and made contact with NY state! I was hooked told him I got to be able to that. two weeks later I was a pre-ham ( had to wait 8 weeks for my ticket) Best face to face contact I ever made. Hope to meet you on the Air! maybe AO-40 ,FO-20 or 6M's 73's
Jim
WH6LR
EM04

[n7uo]

Wayne:

You've asked a perfect question, and wow have you generated some wonderful responses. #I read and enjoyed each of them above me.

In 1957 I acquired my first license as KN7IWN. #Unfortunately, I knew no amateures in the small community where I grew up. #As a result, my stint as an amateur was brief. #In 1957 you had one year to convert your novice license to Technician or General or loose your call and start over at Tech or General. #You couldn't renew your novice ticket.

In 1998, I went to Fresno, California to spend two weeks with my twin brother for our 55th birthday. #At dinner, he presented me with a present. #Yes, it was a Technician class license manual. #I was trapped now, he'd been a ham for nearly 25 years and I had no way out. #Well, I had work related course material to complete, and in July, I picked up that manual and studied. #Hey, not too bad....was doing great with the questions and the math made sense. #Since it seemed so easy, I went out and got the General class book too...after all, HE WAS AN EXTRA class and I couldn't let him get one up on me... #I studied both books, and with the CW expertise that I had developed at the age of 6 and matured with 14 years of copying CW in the military, I went for it. #Damn, I passed both tests, and the CW was so slow it was boring.

Now, I was KD7CSN, with an itch to catch up with the older brother (6 minutes), so I found the Advanced and Extra manuals and went to work on the. #33 days after passing my General, I had my Extra CSCE in my hand.

It was not an ego thing, and forget my brother, it just seemed like all of the really juicy DX was on the bottom of the bands and I just couldn't miss out.

It would have been wonderful to have an elmer when I was just a teen age kid, but unfortunately the one ham that I could find in my community had a penchant for disliking kids and novices in that order and steadfastly refused to have continued contact with me. #Finally, I did find a very nice man who did agree to test me, but really didn't want "kids" around his home.

Again, Wayne, you've generated a wonderful group of success stories, I look forward to reading more of them soon.

Best Regards:

Frank/N7UO

[KC0MIW]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Some very interesting and appreciated post here. Well, Let's see. It all started during the Korea war when I was about nine years old. An engineer from a local radio station was going to give a ham class if he could get six people to sign up. He could only get three. So no license then. In my early twenties I got interested again but got shipped overseas (again) and didn't make it then.

When I retired at 39 (for the first time) after extensive studying I passed what is or was the General Class Radiotelephone Operators license. (For commercial braodcasting.) This is where I learned "radio electronics." I had learned other facets of electronics in the service.

I might add that I had an ear injury when growing up and it seemed to impact my ability to learn code. There has been a buzz in my right ear to varying degrees for about 45 years.

After my third retirement late last year I was in a nearby Radio Shack store and saw a notice about a no code Technician class. In the class they twisted arms until about half took code for an hour before class. I passed the Technician and General at the end of the class but, did not take the code test. I had not studied at all for the General.

The local HRO store had the ARRL Extra book and after a month of studying it and continuing to study code I passed both test at the same setting. So, from no license on 2/7/2 to Extra on 3/9/2. That's no license to Extra in 30 days....and without having held a General license.

About the ear problem....because of the buzz I cannot distinguish an "H" from "S" in code. I can hear the difference between an "S" and "5." When listening to code the volume must be very loud, as a result it tires me within 15 minutes to the point I have to take a break for a half hour or so.

BTW, my Tech call was KC0MIW and Extra is AB0UK. Well.....there you have my story.

73's to all....

Jim, AB0UK

[K1CWB]

K3LNV was my "Elmer", in fact, his name is "Elmer."

One day I bought a bearcat scanner, was scanning around the spectrum, and found some people talking, and it was on 442.400, the UOP system. Little did I know it was called ham radio.

I kept listening every night, wondering what I was hearing...then K3LNV gave his email address out over the air. I copied it down, and emailed him, asked him what this was I was listening to.

Then he told me all about ham radio, and ever since then I got my license, belong to a ham club, and go to every hamfest! I love ham radio.

So, I really did have the real Elmer as my Elmer

[n3nkc]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I would like to add my story to this. Back about mid 1980s i was 5, my dad had a cb setup we were living in New Jersey at the time. So natural child's instinct, check it out!! My dad showed me some stuff about the cb, but that didn't really click. Fast forward to about 1988, interested in aviation, i would go to the local municipal airport to watch the plane take off and land. One day this guy sits next to where i'm sitting with a scanner to listen to ATC, again child's instinct takes over. "Whatcha listening to mister?" He explained to me about the scanner. Well i had to have one. Asked my dad, who had no problems what so ever to get me one. Well after reading the manual i learned how to search the frequencies. Man was that a blast, stopping on a freq. and referencing "Police Call" to find out what service was using that freq. Well one day it stopped on a ham freq. Well since ham radio wasn't exactly explained, i decided to take a trip to the library to find out more. The more i read about ham radio, the cooler it got. Again child's instinct; had to have ham radio license. But how? well seeing that most books referenced the ARRL i wrote to them. Found a local club in my area, the 10-70 rptr assc. Got some phone numbers and called people. Stan W2PQG, pretty much gave me all the info i needed. But unfortunatly my family decided to move to PA. So again not knowing much of the area, i wrote to the ARRL for help. They gave me some local info and again i called. This time Tom K3IJ lent a helping hand. I took my no-code tech (for some reason i had a hard time with cw) in 1992 (age 12) and passed. After that, and alot of encouragement from the Antracite Repeater Assc. members, i got my Extra in 1994 at age 14. All through high school, I loved ham radio. Unfortunately after graduating, i fell out of ham radio, mostly for real-world reasons: career, girls, cars. Now at 21, I'm back in sorta (the real-world still hampers abit) Whenever i have spare time i like to find new dx on cw and phone. I'm hoping one day to show my son (he's 2) the joys of ham radio. Basically this is just a small way to thank those who helped me get my license and to encourage those thinking about doing it. It's a great hobby, and with help from others, anything is possible. Thanks for taking time to read this. 73 all. de John N3NKC

[KD7PTN]

Its truely fasnating how you all got started..

My story seems to follow right along...

My Dad got into CB radio in the 60's with an ol Halicrafter cyrstal set, later upgraded to a laffette HB 444 and a super scanner beam antenna. He taught me on that, and I remember setting as a boy and dx ing , monitoring 9 at times and even relayed for a stranded motorist to REACT one time ..

Since then I never got a way from radio. I have always had a CB and currently to this date run CB. I have one in every rig I own. and in my shack. The wife and I use them constantly.

However, I was also intrigued by HAM radio, and started looking into that but never really got any assistant at first. I guess because I am an avid CBer still.

Well it just got put on hold for years.. Until I met and married my second wife, I moved to her town and became aquainted with a ham operator there, K7NTW, He encouraged me to study..

Then I was in a local thrift store looking around, I found a Heathkit 2036A for $14. I snagged that and went to his house, He showed me his shack for the first time, and checked that radio out, told me what I had..

I hooked it up in my truck after that, and began monitoring the local repeater.. Heard about a ham who was taking practice tests online..
I started ssearching the internet and found them..

I started doing the same then, everday... when I was aceing the tests online, then I found the next VE test site and my wife and I went.. I passed the tech no code exam !!!! only misssed one!

NOw I am working on my wife to get hers..


KD7PTN

[w3swl]

Got my first taste of radio in the late 60's when Uncle Sam decided he needed another radio operator for the U.S. Army. #Learned the code and field voice proceedures until you could hear it in your sleep, which I did !!! #After my Army stint, became a SWL until 2 years ago when I got my ticket (how's that for a put-off ?). #The amazing thing was that I didn't forget the code. #Before taking the test I think I studied it for about a week and went on to pass the test. # Without the exposure to radio that I got from the Army (among other things), I probably would not have had an interest in it. #Guess that's what they mean by "Be All That You Can Be" #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif .

Scott W3BUG

[KG6ITC]

Always liked electronics. Listening to Art Bell Art Bell (http://artbell.com) one night I heard Wayne Green www.waynegreen.com (http://www.waynegreen.com) and thought Wayne was pretty cool.

Art and Wayne are long time Hams, and great guys. Sounded like a fun group, and I would get to do some electronics. Also thought the people on the air would be interesting.

Having a lot of fun. Just a HT tri-bander for now. Looking at getting an old tube rig. that would be fun.

[Frankb]

as many other people have said i once talked on the cb alot but instead this was after the band got crowed and poluted. I had a elmer i guess that helped me get where i am today(tech no-code). I have to admit that having an elmer and classes was great. i haven't got my code yet but i'm trying to get into the hang of it.

[va3mvw]

I did a degree in electronic engineering in the early '80s. Always interested in radio (My father was a radio operator in the merchant navy in the 1950s and he had kept a few of his old keys and so on) but in the 80's in Britain, CB was illegal and ham needed morse... too intimidating.

But my interest remained. Then one day about 4 years ago I noticed how easy the amateur exam was in Canada (where I moved in 1995). Not just technically easy, but simple procedures, cheap, and without code you can do quite a lot. "No hassle", in other words. Well, I ought the book at Radio Shack, read up for a week or two, and called a local ham club (found on the net) and took the exam.

I have not looked back since - a lot of new friends, a basement full of radios (see www.mvw.net/radio/) - great hobby.

[KD5OET]

in answer to question asked? I started out in mid sixties on 11 meters CB WB5CVE Fred initially got me interested in amatuer (ham radio) Military (mars) station in Vietnam and Anchorage alaska both got me very interested again. Many years later after retirement from the Air Force Here I am. I firmly believe in The elmer program and try to be a good elmer myself. Although I did not know how to locate and never did locate a Elmer to help me in my trip to hamdom I made it none the less. This made me decide to do my best to at least make my knowledge available to anyone, and my assistance to the extent I am able to help them in studies, practice and or practical tests / projects etc. Since Getting my call I have received some great advice and learned a lot from fellow hams they are to be commended. They and Fred have my grattitude. Eventually I am going to get involved in the emergency comm. programs in my area. To anyone thinking about being a Elmer if you are willing to take the time and effort to help/assist/guide other asking for help guess what you are already one with or without the title. Thanks to all William KD5OET http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[n7spi]

At our 20th high school reunion, one of my old friends had become
a Ham in San Fransisco sometime in the 70s. I've always been into
radios and the like, was a CB op for a few years, and Randy got me
interested in Ham Radio. I bought a used Kenwood TM-221A, and
took the test in '91, just after the FCC abolished the Code for the Tech
license. I'm still trying, and still can't seem to get over the hump,
but I'll get that Code yet! I'm currently on dialysis, with a limited
life expectancy, but doggone it, I'm going to get that Code and at
least get my General license before I check out. I even have an older
HF rig (Yaesu FT-77 with an external VFO,) and it is frustrating not
to be able to use it. I have a GAP vertical in the back yard, and
several HTs, one of which is my base, running through a MAHA brick.
Hope to get my HF license one of these days, and see if that old FT-77
still works.

[nugenpa]

I enjoy hearing stories of how folks become hams. I became interested as a boy in the 1970s when I lived across the street from Dr. Ben Wasilauskas, K4GHS. Ben had a shack, centering on -- I still remember it vividly -- a very handsome Collins 75A4 and a Swan 350. I was intrigued, and on Saturdays I would come over and watch him operate. I became intrigued, and started reading everything I could get my hands on. Dr. Wasilauskas found (somewhere) an old Hallicrafters SX 110 SW receiver which I used for SWLing. When I was in 8th grade we moved to Maryland, across the street from Paul Freirich, W3HFA. Paul administered my novice exam my freshman year and I became KA3EGF. I could never afford equipment, and was working too hard in school and practicing piano to learn how to build. But at the time the Smithsonian had a club station, N3SI, which I would go to operate during lunchtimes (I went to high school not far from there.) My junior year, I took the test for the Advanced, but failed--my calculator, which I needed for several calculations, went haywire! Between the math questions I got wrong and a couple rules questions, I didn't get the Advanced, but I did get my general and became N3CLO, and continued to operate N3SI when I could. In college, I drifted away. The ROTC corps had an old club station at my college, but though the equipment still sat in the shack and the big antenna towers were (and are) still in place, nobody was left to operate and the station license had long since expired.

I drifted away from hamming, and in graduate school (I'm a historian of medieval Europe) I hardly had time for my first love, piano, much less for hamming. So I let my license lapse.

After six years teaching religion and history at a wonderful liberal arts college, my denomination asked my wife and me to accept an assignment in western Kenya as principal at a Quaker college there. My wife, who has gently suggested over the years that I get my license again, nudged me again. And the incoming person at the denominational office for whom we will work turns out to be a ham, Dennis Mills N7MEA. Since the phones in Kaimosi are often not functioning, and since the DXing could be really wonderful, I decided to get a license again. Things have changed a lot since 1981, but I'm studying hard and hope to take the exam in May. Getting a license in Kenya will be tricky, but hams from the Amateur Radio Society of Kenya (ARSK) have been working hard at smoothing things out for foreign operators.

It's a great hobby, and it's exhilarating to be getting back into it. Dennis found me an IC 745 that needs new finals but the rcvr is amazing. Night before last I hooked it up to a car battery, strung up a random dipole in the attic fed with old antenna line--not a sophisticated antenna--and at midnight on 20M with hardly any effort pulled in England, Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Once I've got a license, an antenna tuner, and had the finals replaced, I look forward to being able to reply to these guys!

Happy DXing,


Patrick Nugent
Earlham College
Richmond, IN USA

[AA1ZT]

I started radio with CB (like many other people in France) when I was a kid in highschool, back in the late 70's. I finally got my french call sign in 1986 (F5MJW). At this time, you'd get all HF priviledges with a 12WPM code test and a single written exam covering theory and regulation.
I came to Connecticut a few years ago, and got back to ham radio as W1/F5MJW (this call was a real pain for contests and CW operation). Well, I got tired of it and worked on the US license. Just got my Extra ticket a month ago, and it was still fun to pass the tests the second time around! It's a strange feeling, though, to have to go back to "ham school" after 15 years.
I still have as much fun hamming as I used to have when I was a kid. 73's
Jacques / AA1ZT

[w8kra]

W2HOU was talking to Kurt Carlson on a sinking ship in the English Channel. Marty was kind to the 12 year old brat from next door during the week this was going on. When Carlson visited the U.S. I was included in the visit to W2HOU's house. W2HOU & W2KCW encouraged me to get my novice liscense, KN2DGS. Kept it until 1958 When I started medical school. Got General class and advanced in 1967. Took 33 years to get Extra. That only happened when W8AH & W8NR borrowed my mike!
Son David got KA8QDT when in grade school.

It has been a hoot. Enjoy the good fellowship and technical side of the hobby. Computers and internet only enhance the hobbv.
73 steve

[ka8syx]

I have been interested in radio of any type for as long as I can remember. #As a little boy I was a cub scout and being a cub scout in Philadelphia somehow got you a subscription to Boy's Life magazine. #Reading an article in one issue about ham radio and the Boy Scout Jamboree and how scouts all over the world talked to each other -- I said, "I have GOT to do that."

During high school, there wasn't much money around in our family, but we had a few head of livestock on our farm in West Virginia (to raise and eat, mostly) and my dad paid me the princely sum of $15 a month to care for them. #I spent it all on radio magazines. #I received my first shortwave receiver, a Panasonic RF-2200, for Christmas 1980 or 81 and it was incredible. #That radio opened up a whole world for me. #Before that time, the only time I ever heard anything from overseas was from our car radio. #We had a beat up 1975 VW Rabbit in those days and they put Blaupunkt radios in them that included 49M band coverage. #I used to have to sit in the car and listen to all those faraway places, being careful not to let the battery run dead!!!

I listened to my shortwave all through high school, dreaming of getting my novice ticket and actually talking. #A class started up in a neighboring town and my Mom helped me get signed up, but I stopped going because it was like a 60mi round trip once a week, I needed Mom to drive me and she was already getting up at 0430 anyway to go to work. #Finally, after I got my driver's licence halfway through my senior year, I found a class with our local club and went through it with my best friend, Frank Powell, KA8SYV. #We got our novice licences at the same time, and I was issued KA8SYX. #We've both kept the same calls all these years, since 1983. #I just made Extra, but Frank is the real deal, 20wpm and all. #Not busting on us 5wpm folks, since I always had a much easier time with the theory and regs on the writtens than Frank -- we all have our strengths.

In those days, Frank and I were probably each other's Elmer. #We burned up his first rig, a Heathkit DX-60, overdriving it into a poorly thought-out antenna. #But not until after he worked Alaska on it with an old Hallicrafters receiver with barndoor selectivity. #Go, Frank!! #My first rig was a Ten-Tec Century 21 I got used at Universal in Columbus, OH. #I used a chunk of my financial aid disbursement. #Money well spent. #I worked a lot of domestic stuff on it from our farm, even though my family and I moved into a thriving metropolis of 2500 people 15 mi. closer to college. #It was really noisy in town and I used to pack up the rig once/twice a week in the car and head for the farm. #I had a shack set up in a spare pickup top camper my Uncle had out there and would just plug n play.

Then came the Navy. #During those days, 1987-1993, ham radio just about went out the window. #Only in 1992 did I pick it back up, even going to Dayton that year with Frank and picking up a used Heathkit DX-60 and HG-10 of my own. #Tried feeding it into an original Outbacker on the balcony of my wood and steel skyscraper cliff dwelling abode of the time and it was a no-go. #It seemed disappointment was right around every corner. #I didn't work my first DX until a visit to Frank and his new wife after he graduated from college and was working as a pharmacist. #Frank had traded up to a pretty nice shack with an sharp Icom rig that really worked!!! #In one weekend, I worked France, Argentina and Peru, and thought I was going to wet myself, I was so fired up. #And this was on 10 when the cycle put propagation in the toilet.

After leaving the Navy, back to college and grad school, I finally had the time and resources to start hamming with a vengeance. #Well, then I met the love of my life and now I find I'm compromising again. #Time and resources are always strained and I do what I can when I can. #I still savor and cherish each and every Q, and my XYL gets her nose a little out of joint when it appears I'm more interested in seeing if a new QSL arrived in the mail before I see her after work. #I can't help it, ham radio has it all: science, physics, geography, political science, sociology, anthropology, engineering. #It's all right there, and I'll always be a ham.

Thanks for reading, and see you on the air.
V/r es 73
Ray KA8SYX

[n0klu]

Lets see now.... It all started back in the early 1960's I sent off for and built my first radio (AM) using wire wrapped around a Quaker oats box using a "Cat Whisker to tune http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ..... fixed our old High-Fi sytem several times...Went into the Army in the 70's and was trained in communications at which when we took the code portion the instructor said "you have just passed 13 words per min. I f you want you may go down the hall and take the Advanced Ham radio exams. Well three guys out of about 30 did, Me no I was stupid and sat right there. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif #Anyways Last year I was talking to a Church friend who is a Ham (ka0sqj) about radio theory and he said that I could get my ticket without the code, So I bought Gordon West's books (all three of them) and took the Tech no-code test and missed one qurestion. I have had next to no elmering from the Hams around here. So I have to do it on my own. I can pass both the General and the extra exams But am now having a dickins of a time re-learning the code. Ah well one of these days it will click in (listen to a CD twice a day for about 30 min each time) and I will then take all three Code-General-Extra tests. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
My e-mail adress is kc0lcw1@earthlink.net

[K6MKF]

I was first introduced to Amateur Radio in Hagerstown, MD, about 1962, by a high school friend, Howard, K3WPJ. #I was fascinated, but then got caught up in high school activities and then a stint in the Army. #After the Army I ended up in Poughkeepsie, NY where I sort of 'remembered' Amateur Radio. #

I found the Poughkeepsie ARC and met Dan, WB2PED, who was to become my first elmer. #He helped #me prepare for my novice license which I received in 1968, WN2JLQ. #When I moved back to Maryland, I met Bill, K3UMV, who helped me study for my General ticket, and I became KA3FJD. #I passed my Advanced exam a couple of years later and was licensed as KD3AN.

After moving to California and operating as KD3AN for many years, I upgraded to Extra, and decided to get the vanity call K6MKF, cutting my last ties with 3-land. #I remembered that Howard, K3WPJ, had given me my first introduction to Amateur Radio, so I dropped him a QSL card thanking him. #We have been in email contact since. #He has been inactive and has sold most of his equipment.

Well, I get to close the circle, so to speak, for as I write this my 2nd backup rig, a Kenwood TS-180S, is on its #way to Howard in Maryland via UPS. #It will be most rewarding when we have our first QSO after a wait of nearly 40 years.

73,

Mike, K6MKF #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[thecad]

I'm in the military and work in the communications field. At the place I'm stationed at now we have civilian techs and one of them (N9BQY) is the one who got me interested in Amateur Radio. He showed me the practice test on qrz.com and told me that Radio Shack's Technician study guide was one of the best ones to use for studying.
After a few months of studying and asking N9BQY questions I went to a local hamfest and took the test. I've had my ticket since June 2001 and I'm now looking into the best way and easiest way to study code so I can move up to the next level. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kb7ntl]

Now that I think about it, it is kind of hilarious to remember my father yelling CQ into his 11 meter rig in the late seventies.

A friend and I, who worked for an airline up in Oregon, liked to tinker with little circuits mostly out of boredom, and we owned CBs mostly just to talk with each other.

After awhile, seemed like I was wiring up "power" mics for every "good buddy" that had found I possessed this skill. This was around 1989. I got a little more involved with repairs (mostly undoing what someone else did to their radio) and actually put up a CB in the house with a Antron (i think) 99 on the roof.

My first experience with RFI and less than pleased neighbors.

After a while another known CBer asked me if I knew anything about radios. Of course, I was king of the power mic wirers! We met later on for coffee, and he played me like a fish.
After extracting all my knowledge within about 45 minutes, he asked if I could help him with his radio. Sure! I grabbed my handy dandy kit and drove over.
He took me into the basement, and there was enough Collins equipment to outfit an aircraft carrier. Actually he may have gotten some of it surplus from the Navy.
Well, I learned my lesson. No matter how much you know, there will always be uncharted territory in radio.
At that time the no-code option really hadn't been discussed publicly to my knowledge. In (i believe) 1990
I obtained my novice.
Now all those guys with handhelds were out there, but I wanted to be a QRP DX master!
Not a lot of luck with that option. So if you can't beat em...
Well 2m was like gas to fire.
Lets see. 1st, a net control, then the net manager, then ORS, AEC, etc etc
Ham radio has given me an opportunity to serve exactly as much as I desire.
I have found volunteerism to be fulfilling.
I took about 7 years off, returning recently.
I have changed my call recently to K6NTL, as I have changed QTH.
I have received my General upgrade recently.
I hope to pass my first attempt at extra soon.
Thats about it.
I'd like to think there are some good future operators on 11 meters.
Find one and bring him or her over.
They will remember you forever.
73 de K6NTL (ex KB7NTL)

[w1dfu]

I got my start in ham radio as a boy scout.Boy's Life magazine was sponsoring a shortwave listeners contest and I entered.My dad helped me set up an antenna to improve reception on the family console radio.From #there I was hooked on swl'ing and in the process #discovered the ham bands and #was soon fascinated listening to hams talking to each other from all parts of the world.

One of my scout leaders knew some of the local hams and was able to arrange for another fellow scout and myself to be elmered by the local radio club.One ham in particular (W1TAN) taught us the code and Novice theory.The club also held theory classes each year allowing us to upgrade to General Class.

Over the years since I have studied on my own to upgrade to Extra Class.

So I guess I probably fit more than one category.I got interested through scouting,I had an elmer and also studied on my own.

In any event I am certainly glad that the Boy's Life swl contest sparked my interest and as a result I've had nearly 50 years of enjoyment in this wonderful hobby of ours.

[aa3rt]

Very interesting topic-I've enjoyed reading the posts thus far...

Growing up in northwest PA in the late 50s/1960s my father was self employed as a TV repair man. Somewhere along the line I came into possession of an old Zenith floor model AM/shortwave radio. I was fascinated listening to shortwave broadcasts but didn't know that SWLing itself was a hobby. Graduated from high school in 1971 and enrolled in the Williamsport (PA) Area Community College where I received an AA degree in broadcasting. Worked briefly a a couple of small radio stations in north central PA when I knew my draft number was up so I enlisted in the Coast Guard. They sent me to sonar school in San Diego. I wasn't too thrilled at the time but benefitted from some great electronics training.

After doing my 4 years, I got a job with the Naval Research Lab at Blossom Point, MD. Head of the RF section was Wes, W3ERU. A few years later I got a 10 channel Realistic PRO-31 scanner so I could listen in on the trains that passed through town. Wes gave me a few other frequencies to listen to and I found myself listening to a number of repeater nets in Southern Maryland/Northern Virginia. Got heavily involved in scanning when Wes said "You know so much about radios, you should get your ham license". Finally gave in in the fall of 1991 and became a no-code tech (N3KUQ) at the tender age of 38. (I should add here that aside from those encouraging words, I never had an "Elmer".)
Drifted along for 8 1/2 years before the local club held a class and I attended to learn code. Passed 5 WPM and general theory and was working on 13 WPM when the FCC dropped the bombshell in 2000 that the 13 & 20 WPM requirements had been dropped. In July 2000 passed the Extra written exam and got the vanity call AA3RT late that year. Also obtained my GROL along the way, am currently studying for the radar endorsement. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kt6k]

Thank you Wayne, for opening up this forum. I have wanted to tell about my friendship with W2MWJ, "Sky" Brockway of Lakeview Terrace--River edge NJ, and a silent-key for many years now. Sky was my Elmer. I would like to tell you my story.

A received a broadband short wave receiver kit for Christmas 1952 from my Dad; a cool gift for a 12 year old. I borrowed my dad's old commercial soldering iron, God knows what kind of solder I used, and put the thing together using lamp cord for hook-up wire. You can not imagine my surprise when I plugged it in and heard short wave broadcast for the first time. I was especially fascinated with the code from ships at sea--and then I stumbled on an unknown strange phenomenon--the Ham bands. I had to ask my friends about this strange communication. A friend told me about his neighbor, a ham radio operator, and showed me his "huge" 20M monobander in the backyard. I have been an antenna voyeur ever since.

I walked around town looking for other antennas. In the summer of 1953, I noticed a 66' open wire feed dipole up 20' just a few houses up the hill from me. I just had to find out more about this cool hobby. I knocked on my unknown neighbor's door to ask about the hobby. I met "Sky" Brockway, W2MWJ, for the first time.

Sky showed me his shack and explained how it worked. His shack consisted of a pre-WW II receiver and a rock-bound home-brew oscillator to a home-brew 125w amplifier to a home-brew antenna tuner to that open wire feed coming though his window sill via stand-off insulators. Sky was a CW guy, mostly 40M with an occasional weekend fling on 20M. He didn't need wall paper--all four walls were covered with QSL from all over the world. He contacted a station for me, and was amazed I could copy some of the code because I had learned Morse signaling in the Boy Scouts.

Sky told me to go buy a copy of the ARRL Handbook and an ARRL License Manual. With Sky's kind patient understanding, I started studying and practicing code by trying to copy the stations I could hear. I dry-banged away on an old WW II key that Sky gave me to learn how to send. I started building the "Beginner's 35-Watt Transmitter" on page 160, by going to "Radio-Row" in New York City and spending my hard earned newspaper route money for used parts. I had to buy real hook-up wire, because Sky had a fit about my receiver wiring. Couldn't believe the thing worked. Well, the transmitter didn't work to well when Sky tested it. Sky's best friend, ex-2TW (can't remember his name), fixed a few things, and got it working. Don't ask me what. It was magic.

I got my Novice in the spring of 1954, KN2IDL, strung a long wire from the back of the yard to the chimney, and continued to my bedroom. Set up my equipment on an old ironing board. Used inductive coupling to the antenna by wrapping a few turns of the antenna around the final coil. My first contact was W2MWJ ~200 yards. I proceeded to have a ball. Today, almost 50 years later, I am still in contact with other kids I met via ham radio during those early days. What a hobby!

My fascination with antennas eventually led to advanced degrees in physics, although my specialty was not in radio propagation. That's my hobby. I came back to the family home in Southern California in 1980, and my call changed to KT6K. Today I am retired.

I do a lot of motorcycle-mobile QRP, power supply courtesy of Harley Davidson, but I am getting around to spending a little less time on the motorcycle, and more in the shack. Like Sky, I like 40M CW.

73, Fred

I always had an interest in the hobby, but never
bothered to pursue it until I was in my 20's. In 1974,
I was starting my senior year in college and came across
a copy of 73 magazine at a bookstore. I read the magazine
with great interest and decided to get a license. As I was
pretty busy with my college work, I didn't start studying
for it in earnest until after my graduation in June '75.
I used the Wayne Green code tapes and 5 WPM code came
fairly easy and used several Sams and Ameco books for
the theory. I found a ham in a nearby town who was
willing to give me the test and in the fall of '75, I became
a "mail-order" tech. I bought a Wilson 1402 H/T that
was crystaled up for the local frequencies and got on
the air. But HF beckoned, so I set about learning 13 WPM
code but that was far more difficult than I had anticipated.
After months and months of practice plus two failed
attemps at the FCC exams, I finally made General in
November '76 and Advanced the following month. I
set up my first "real" HF station late in '76, a Hallicrafters
HT-37, NC303 receiver, and an assortment of dipoles.
In the meantime, I got to k