Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[PAUL M ELLIOTT]

My thanks and appreciation for all the responses. .

 

I regret to say that my physical condition, particularly my lack of finger
dexterity, makes it impossible for me to answer each reply individually-but
here's to the next 80 (minutes, hours, days, weeks, months???).

 

73 Paul W5DM

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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Gary Smith]

Paul,

You are a hero. What a wonderful 
experience Ham Radio has been for you. 

My father, Earl, passed in 2014 but was 
active on the air to the last. He was 
first licensed in 37 as W8QXF, then to 
Hawaii during WWII & became KH6RD for two 
years after the war. Back in PA and after 
the districts changed he became W3QXF. 
With a move to CT in 62 he became W1BML. 
He too was highly involved in the greatest 
parts of Ham Radio, perhaps you had met, 
you would have both enjoyed that.

Thank you for sharing your story and thank 
you for your service.

73,

Gary
KA1J

> Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham
> license, Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14
> years old at the time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class
> A.  Many years later the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came
> along. Upgraded. Some years later the FCC announced that hams with an
> Extra Class license who had been licensed 25 years could apply for a
> two -letter call, no place on the application to request of a specific
> call.  Was assigned W5DM.
> 
> First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was
> a wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was
> VK2SS on 40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone
> privileges on 40 m for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my
> wall. My card to him was written on a postcard (Great Depression=no
> money to buy QSL cards).
> 
> Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
> interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small
> part of my history.
> 
> The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
> receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low
> powered phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using
> 85 kcs  (kcs then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.  
> Had a blast working the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20
> meters.  Since then mostly CW.
> 
> I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April
> 1958 issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from
> me that, I think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the
> formula for determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not
> correct.  Since my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip
> oscillator, and a 100 kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I
> was just lucky to get as close as I did or did a fairly good job with
> what I had.
> 
> In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
> electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength) 
> but low semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in
> one 90 degree segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now
> have 189 countries confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.  
> 
> Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25
> wpm-at one time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken
> me over 3 hours to type this email. Physical realities remain physical
> realities--I am now a disabled, crippled old man. But---
> 
> No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.  
> 
> Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me
> over the years.
> 
> 73 Paul W5DM 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 



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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

Paul, 

 

Your email to the list was very inspiring.  I truly enjoyed reading it and
you can be assured it very much made my day when I was feeling a little
down.

I won't sugar coat it - True, you may be a little older than the average
ham, but with age comes wisdom and experience.

I revere both those traits in a person.

 

Like many in North America,(and likely elsewhere) I also became a ham at a
young age. 14 in my case. With nearly 39 yrs as a ham, sometimes I think I
am experienced, but

then I realize there are those out there with double my experience and it's
a little humbling.

I have enjoyed the advances in technology and reaching out to folks on the
air waves and now, by internet too.

 

I can appreciate typing is very slow for you, but many on the list (myself
incl) would surely welcome more posts from you to understand

about ham radio in the early days and also what keeps you going into the
hobby today and how its changed for you.

 

Thanks very much Paul, 

 

dit dit Mike VE9AA

 

 

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Rob Atkinson]

Paul congratulations.  If you find time and energy to do it, I think
we'd all appreciate more information or detail about your early
pre-WW2 homebrew transmitters and receivers.  Were the rx heterodynes
or regeneratives?  The rigs TNT or TPTG?  Construction details and so
on.  I ask because not many hams have made it 8 decades in the hobby
and your memories should be preserved in some form.  Tnx vy much.

73

Rob
K5UJ
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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Renee K6FSB]

Paul -
Congratulations!
I marvel to think of the changes you have seen in all those 
years.may you have many more!

Renée, K6FSB

On 2017-01-19 07:34 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT wrote:

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast working
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM

  

  

  

  


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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Gene Smar]

Congrats on your achievements, Paul, Amateur and personal.  Here's wishing for 
many more pleasant years.


73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F



-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bob Cutter 
via Topband
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 11:11 AM
To: p...@valornet.com; topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

 blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px 
#715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white 
!important; } Great story, thank you!
73, Bob KI0G 


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone


On Thursday, January 19, 2017, 9:48 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT <p...@valornet.com> 
wrote:

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license, 
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the 
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later the 
Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years later 
the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been licensed 
25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the application to 
request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a wire 
going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m for 
USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was written on 
a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If interested 
in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and 
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered 
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs 
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.  Had a blast working the 
world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958 issue 
of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I think, 
was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for determining the 
length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since my measurements were 
made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100 kcs crystal oscillator. I 
don't know whether I was just lucky to get as close as I did or did a fairly 
good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot 
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low 
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree 
segment. Made 160 m WAS.  Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries 
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.  

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one 
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours to 
type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a 
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.  

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over the 
years.

73 Paul W5DM

 

 

 

 

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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Douglas Ruz / CO8DM]

Hey Paul,

Happy 80th anniversary .

I started with 13 years old this fantastic hobby.

Nice to hear you are still active !!...What an inspiration !!!

73 and take care.

Doug, CO8DM

- Original Message - 
From: "PAUL M ELLIOTT" <p...@valornet.com>

To: <topband@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 10:34 AM
Subject: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham



Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at 
the

time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some 
years

later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS 
on

40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low 
powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs 
(kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast 
working

the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, 
I

think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but 
low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 
degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 
countries

confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at 
one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 
hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now 
a

disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM









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Este mensaje le ha llegado mediante el servicio de correo electronico que 
ofrece la Federacion de Radioaficionados de Cuba. La persona que envia este 
correo asume el compromiso de usar el servicio y cumplir con las regulaciones 
establecidas. FRCUBA: https://www.frcuba.cu/

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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Richard Chatelain]

Congrats Paul...!!!  A real history story of ham radio!!!


Rich K7ZV




From: Topband <topband-boun...@contesting.com> on behalf of PAUL M ELLIOTT 
<p...@valornet.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 7:34 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast working
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM









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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Mario Raul Andraca Rivera]

Congrats Paul...!!!
Mario
LU8DPM

bob hervatine <n...@arrl.net> wrote:


Paul,


I've never met you, but after reading your post on the topband reflector, I 
wish to both thank you for sharing your post, and especially to congratulate 
you on achieving 80 years as a licensed amateur op!


What a wonderful thing. And what an inspiration to new 'kids' (I'll be 70 years 
old in April) like me.


I 'almost' got my Novice class license in the 1950's, when I was a Cub/Boy 
Scout, but did not want to take the test, and start my '1 year clock' (term of 
Novice license then) running until I had BOTH confidence that I could pass the 
Novice exam AND had enough money on hand to purchase a basic single crystal 
transmitter kit. (Which then was about $40, as I recall.) But when I felt I was 
ready to pass the test, I would be short of cash, and vice versa. Then Little 
League baseball got in the way, and I let amateur radio slip onto the back 
burner until I was 50 years old. That's when I FINALLY got licensed and on the 
air. I'll always regret not having made that final push to get my license when 
I was 10 years old. My hat's off to you and all the others who DID earn their 
licenses as youths, AND stayed active throughout the years.


I don't recall ever having the honor of working you, but it would truly be an 
honor to QSO with you. (I'd have never been close to keeping up with you when 
you were working 35-40 wpm, but now that you're down to 20-25 wpm, I could hang 
in with you. No 'finger dexterity' limitations here... my CW limitations lie 
between my ears!)


Thank YOU for sharing YOUR kindness and knowledge.


73, Bob Hervatine N2NS



From: Topband <topband-boun...@contesting.com> on behalf of PAUL M ELLIOTT 
<p...@valornet.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 3:34 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast working
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM









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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[bob hervatine]

Paul,


I've never met you, but after reading your post on the topband reflector, I 
wish to both thank you for sharing your post, and especially to congratulate 
you on achieving 80 years as a licensed amateur op!


What a wonderful thing. And what an inspiration to new 'kids' (I'll be 70 years 
old in April) like me.


I 'almost' got my Novice class license in the 1950's, when I was a Cub/Boy 
Scout, but did not want to take the test, and start my '1 year clock' (term of 
Novice license then) running until I had BOTH confidence that I could pass the 
Novice exam AND had enough money on hand to purchase a basic single crystal 
transmitter kit. (Which then was about $40, as I recall.) But when I felt I was 
ready to pass the test, I would be short of cash, and vice versa. Then Little 
League baseball got in the way, and I let amateur radio slip onto the back 
burner until I was 50 years old. That's when I FINALLY got licensed and on the 
air. I'll always regret not having made that final push to get my license when 
I was 10 years old. My hat's off to you and all the others who DID earn their 
licenses as youths, AND stayed active throughout the years.


I don't recall ever having the honor of working you, but it would truly be an 
honor to QSO with you. (I'd have never been close to keeping up with you when 
you were working 35-40 wpm, but now that you're down to 20-25 wpm, I could hang 
in with you. No 'finger dexterity' limitations here... my CW limitations lie 
between my ears!)


Thank YOU for sharing YOUR kindness and knowledge.


73, Bob Hervatine N2NS



From: Topband <topband-boun...@contesting.com> on behalf of PAUL M ELLIOTT 
<p...@valornet.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 3:34 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast working
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM









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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Mike Furrey]

Paul! 
Great Story! Congratulations! I am curious if our paths crossed in Hobbs. I 
grew up there and was first licensed as WN5KKA in '64 as a 13 year kid. My test 
was administered by John Sikes (can't remember his call) and John Crues WA5HPX.
73, Mike WA5POK 

On Thursday, January 19, 2017 10:10 AM, Bob Cutter via Topband 
 wrote:
 

  blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px 
#715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white 
!important; } Great story, thank you!
73, Bob KI0G 


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone


On Thursday, January 19, 2017, 9:48 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT  
wrote:

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.  Had a blast working
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.  Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.  

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.  

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM                        

 

 

 

 

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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Phillip Zminda]

Congratulations Paul! What a great history you have. Glad you are still 
communicating in radio and on the Internet. You’re an inspiration to this 56 
year rookie.

73,

Phil N3ZP
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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Phillip Zminda]

Congratulations Paul! 

What a great history you have. Glad you are still communicating in radio and on 
the Internet. You’re an inspiration to this 56 year rookie.

73,

Phil N3ZP
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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Billy Cox]

Well done Paul, Well Done! CONGRATS! 

May you continue to enjoy Top Band, and 
all the others too for a long long time. 

73 de Billy, AA4NU 

- Original Message -

From: "PAUL M ELLIOTT" <p...@valornet.com> 
To: topband@contesting.com 
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 9:34:45 AM 
Subject: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham 

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license, 
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the 
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A. Many years later 
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years 
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been 
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the 
application to request of a specific call. Was assigned W5DM. 

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a 
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree. First DX was VK2SS on 
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m 
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was 
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards). 

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II. If 
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of 
my history. 

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and 
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered 
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs (kcs 
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver. Had a blast working 
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters. Since then mostly 
CW. 

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio. In the April 1958 
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I 
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for 
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct. Since 
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100 
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as 
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had. 

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot 
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength) but low 
semi-inverted L antenna. Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree 
segment. Made 160 m WAS. Then started chasing DX. Now have 189 countries 
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands. 

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll. CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one 
time it was 35-40 wpm. Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours 
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a 
disabled, crippled old man. But--- 

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am. 

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over 
the years. 

73 Paul W5DM 









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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Hugh Valentine]

What an inspiration!!!

Val
N4RJ

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Wes Stewart
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 1:19 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

Paul,

Congratulations, well done!

I'm "just" 75 years of age and 59 years a ham and became interested in topband 
only in the last year or so. I hope to do as well as you.

All the best,

Wes  N7WS

On 1/19/2017 8:34 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT wrote:
> Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham 
> license, Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 
> years old at the time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class 
> A.  Many years later the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came 
> along. Upgraded. Some years later the FCC announced that hams with an 
> Extra Class license who had been licensed 25 years could apply for a 
> two -letter call, no place on the application to request of a specific call.  
> Was assigned W5DM.
>
> First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was 
> a wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was 
> VK2SS on
> 40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 
> 40 m for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to 
> him was written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).
>
> Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If 
> interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small 
> part of my history.
>
> The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and 
> receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low 
> powered phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs 
>  (kcs
> then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast working
> the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then 
> mostly CW.
>
> I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 
> 1958 issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from 
> me that, I think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the 
> formula for determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not 
> correct.  Since my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip 
> oscillator, and a 100 kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I 
> was just lucky to get as close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I 
> had.
>
> In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot 
> electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  
> but low semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 
> degree
> segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
> confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.
>
> Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 
> wpm-at one time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken 
> me over 3 hours to type this email. Physical realities remain physical 
> realities--I am now a disabled, crippled old man. But---
>
> No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.
>
> Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me 
> over the years.
>
> 73 Paul W5DM
>
>   
>
>   
>
>   
>
>   
>
> _
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>

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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Wes Stewart]

Paul,

Congratulations, well done!

I'm "just" 75 years of age and 59 years a ham and became interested in topband 
only in the last year or so. I hope to do as well as you.


All the best,

Wes  N7WS

On 1/19/2017 8:34 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT wrote:

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast working
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM

  

  

  

  


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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Mike - W5JR]

What a story, Paul. You may remember my Mom and Dad (WB5DMR and K5JR) visiting 
Dad's sister Jody from time to time there in Hobbs years ago. 

Dad is 93 and we have one more year to go to reach 50 years of hamming 
together. Don't think we'll make 80!


tnx
Mike / W5JR
Alpharetta GA

> On Jan 19, 2017, at 11:30 AM, Howard K2HK  wrote:
> 
> 
> Paul,
> The years may have slowed your fingers but they have added to your knowledge 
> and experience which you have so generously shared with others in the hobby. 
> Congratulations to you and I wish you many more enjoyable years.
> Howard K2HK
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On Jan 19, 2017, at 10:42 AM, DXer  wrote:
>> 
>> Paul,
>> 
>> Thank YOU for this wonderful message.
>> 
>> Please accept my heartfelt congratulations!
>> 
>> 73 de Vince, VA3VF
>> 
>>> On Thu, Jan 19, 2017 at 10:34 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
>>> Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
>>> time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
>>> the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
>>> later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
>>> licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
>>> application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.
>>> 
>>> First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
>>> wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS
>>> on
>>> 40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
>>> for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
>>> written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).
>>> 
>>> Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
>>> interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
>>> my history.
>>> 
>>> The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
>>> receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low
>>> powered
>>> phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
>>> then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast
>>> working
>>> the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
>>> CW.
>>> 
>>> I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
>>> issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that,
>>> I
>>> think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
>>> determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
>>> my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
>>> kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
>>> close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.
>>> 
>>> In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
>>> electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
>>> semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
>>> segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
>>> confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.
>>> 
>>> Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
>>> time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
>>> to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now
>>> a
>>> disabled, crippled old man. But---
>>> 
>>> No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.
>>> 
>>> Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
>>> the years.
>>> 
>>> 73 Paul W5DM
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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>>> 
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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Howard K2HK]

Paul,
The years may have slowed your fingers but they have added to your knowledge 
and experience which you have so generously shared with others in the hobby. 
Congratulations to you and I wish you many more enjoyable years.
Howard K2HK
Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 19, 2017, at 10:42 AM, DXer  wrote:
> 
> Paul,
> 
> Thank YOU for this wonderful message.
> 
> Please accept my heartfelt congratulations!
> 
> 73 de Vince, VA3VF
> 
>> On Thu, Jan 19, 2017 at 10:34 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT  wrote:
>> 
>> Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
>> Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
>> time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
>> the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
>> later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
>> licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
>> application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.
>> 
>> First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
>> wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS
>> on
>> 40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
>> for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
>> written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).
>> 
>> Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
>> interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
>> my history.
>> 
>> The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
>> receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low
>> powered
>> phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
>> then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast
>> working
>> the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
>> CW.
>> 
>> I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
>> issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that,
>> I
>> think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
>> determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
>> my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
>> kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
>> close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.
>> 
>> In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
>> electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
>> semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
>> segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
>> confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.
>> 
>> Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
>> time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
>> to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now
>> a
>> disabled, crippled old man. But---
>> 
>> No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.
>> 
>> Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
>> the years.
>> 
>> 73 Paul W5DM
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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>> 
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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[Bob Cutter via Topband]

 blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px 
#715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white 
!important; } Great story, thank you!
73, Bob KI0G 


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone


On Thursday, January 19, 2017, 9:48 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT  
wrote:

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.  Had a blast working
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.  Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.  

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.  

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM                        

 

 

 

 

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Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[DXer]

Paul,

Thank YOU for this wonderful message.

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations!

73 de Vince, VA3VF

On Thu, Jan 19, 2017 at 10:34 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT  wrote:

> Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
> Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
> time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
> the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
> later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
> licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
> application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.
>
> First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
> wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS
> on
> 40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
> for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
> written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).
>
> Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
> interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
> my history.
>
> The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
> receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low
> powered
> phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
> then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast
> working
> the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
> CW.
>
> I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
> issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that,
> I
> think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
> determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
> my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
> kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
> close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.
>
> In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
> electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
> semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
> segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
> confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.
>
> Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
> time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
> to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now
> a
> disabled, crippled old man. But---
>
> No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.
>
> Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
> the years.
>
> 73 Paul W5DM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

Happy 80th in Ham Radio!  Wow!

The stories you must have!

W0MU


On 1/19/2017 8:34 AM, PAUL M ELLIOTT wrote:

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast working
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM

  

  

  

  


_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband


_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: Made it! 80 Years a Ham

[PAUL M ELLIOTT]

Made it! 19 January 2017, is the 80th anniversary of my first ham license,
Class C operating privileges with W5GGV as my call. Was 14 years old at the
time. A little over a year later I upgraded to Class A.  Many years later
the Extra Class (with no added privileges) came along. Upgraded. Some years
later the FCC announced that hams with an Extra Class license who had been
licensed 25 years could apply for a two -letter call, no place on the
application to request of a specific call.  Was assigned W5DM.

First rig made from junked Atwater Kent radio parts. First antenna was a
wire going out a hole in the window screen to a tree.  First DX was VK2SS on
40 m CW, September 1937. (An aside. There were no phone privileges on 40 m
for USA hams). The VK2SS QSL card is hung on my wall. My card to him was
written on a postcard (Great Depression=no money to buy QSL cards).

Been fairly active over the years, except, of course, for WW II.  If
interested in WW II, you can do a web search on DD 792 for a small part of
my history.

The first 20 or 30 years I built my transmitters (all low powered) and
receivers. Operated CW only until SSB came along. Then I built a low powered
phasing rig. A BC-348H receiver was made dual conversion using 85 kcs  (kcs
then= kHz now) IF transformers from a BC 453 receiver.   Had a blast working
the world with a homebuilt "cubical quad" on 20 meters.  Since then mostly
CW.

I may have made one small contribution to ham radio.  In the April 1958
issue of QST, in Technical Correspondence there was a letter from me that, I
think, was the first mention in a ham publication that the formula for
determining the length of a "cubical quad" antenna was not correct.  Since
my measurements were made using a BC 348, a grid dip oscillator, and a 100
kcs crystal oscillator. I don't know whether I was just lucky to get as
close as I did or did a fairly good job with what I had.

In the early 1990s started out to get 160 m WAS from a 120 x 120 foot
electrically noisy city lot (SE NM) with a long ( ~3/8 wavelength)  but low
semi-inverted L antenna.  Ground radials of varying length in one 90 degree
segment. Made 160 m WAS.   Then started chasing DX.  Now have 189 countries
confirmed on 160 m, 324 on all bands.  

Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll.  CW now down to 20-25 wpm-at one
time it was 35-40 wpm.  Finger dexterity way down-has taken me over 3 hours
to type this email. Physical realities remain physical realities--I am now a
disabled, crippled old man. But---

No complaints-many people are worse off than I am.  

Thanks to all who have had the knowledge and the kindness to help me over
the years.

73 Paul W5DM 

 

 

 

 

_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband