Well, congratulations Paul. That is one heck of an accomplishment, and one
I certainly aspire to. Not the getting sunk part... ;-)
73,
geo - n4ua
On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 8:41 PM, Paul Elliott <paab@valornet.com> wrote:
> Today I have the extremely good fortune to celebrate 78 years of being a
> licensed ham. On a day late in January 1937, in Kingsville TX, I came home
> from school and found a small envelope waiting for me. Inside was my
> license, dated January 19, 1937: operating privileges Class C, station
> call
> sign W5GGV. I was 14 years old at the time.
>
>
>
> My first rig, operating only on 40 m CW, consisted of a type 45 tube in a
> TNT circuit and a 2 tube receiver (regenerative detector and one stage of
> audio). Both were built from parts scavenged from junked Atwater Kent
> receivers. My key was a piece of hacksaw blade.
>
>
>
> I did not start operating on 160 m until about 20 years ago. On a 120' x
> 120' lot (very noisy electrically), in Hobbs, NM, I have been able to
> confirm 187 countries on 160 m. I am still trying to come up with some way
> to improve my receiving antenna situation.
>
>
>
> Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll but has not stopped me
> completely.
> Both sending and receiving speed have decreased to about 25 wpm-can still
> have fun with what I have left.
>
>
>
> My thanks to all those on this reflector who have provided help and
> instruction to me over the years. There are some very good people on this
> reflector.
>
>
>
> One small historical note: I still have my original license although
> somewhat the worse for wear. It got thoroughly soaked in the Pacific Ocean
> and stained when the ship I was on in WW II was sunk by a kamikaze.
>
>
>
> 73 Paul W5DM
>
> _________________
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
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