My college Freshman year at Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ I lived in the dormitory
but that did not stop me from hanging a 6 meter dipole out the window and
conversing with my freshmen friend, Ralph Taggart, who eventually became the
author of several Amateur Radio TV Books: I had my Heathkit Sixer "Lunchbox"
and Ralph had a home built portable 6 meter transceiver about the size of a
shoe box.
One afternoon Ralph came on the air urgently, calling me, K2UMQ. An Army
helicopter had an emergency landing near the football stadium and he was
talking to the pilot. Excitedly I ran to the ROTC building (it was mandatory
in 1959) and reported the landing to the Army Captain there, head of the
department. Several officers jumped in their cars and headed to the "heights"
where the stadium was located.
Apparently the pilot was lost. Those were the days before GPS. The pilot was
disoriented, landed, checked his maps, got his bearings and took off.
Thankfully in full view of the ROTC officials. Ralph and I got full credit for
our 6 meter capability and quick alarms.
We were the heroes of the ROTC department for several weeks. You know Ralph
and I aced the course.
Ah, the magic of 6 meters!
73....John Bescher, N4DXI
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