The Great Elmers
Jimmy Jonkenri Scott (KD7VDB)
on
November 7, 2003
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Behind every great ham there is a GREAT Elmer.
For starters I want to talk about my great Elmer Dick Smith KK7OX.
Here in my small town of Florence there are about 6 hams per square mile, that's a lot in my book and they are all helpful. But the most helpful I would say would be Dick, KK7OX. He quickly turned into a great friend and advisor or as most hams would say my "Elmer". And also we have a great club with about all of the amenities (with the exception of a echolink) and lots of resources including any kind of meter you want to use. Dick helped me when I wanted to put up my first permanent antenna and showed me what coax seal was. He also takes me to all of the club contests and ARES meetings. These ham guys are some of the most helpful people you could ever want to know.
I know about every ham on here has a Elmer of some sort and I want you all to list your great "Elmer" that started it all!
My Elmer currently got me some Jerry Ziliak morse code tapes and they are GREAT!!!
73's JJ Scott KD7VDB
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by KA4KOE on November 7, 2003
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I agree as well. I just have the greatest respect for that man!!!!
Loved gadgets, but couldn't hit the side of a barn with his 12 guage at 5 feet point blank range. Must've had bad eyes.
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The Great Elmers
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by W4EA on November 7, 2003
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Thanks Earl, W4KUL (Kind Uncle Louie) sk, for what you meant to me. As a young 14yr.old Novice it was Earl Kingsbury who often gave up his Saturday mornings to show me what it was all about.
In those days he emphasized the fellowship, the thrill of working DX (ZL & VK) with a couple of watts on the original 11M amateur band. Great memories, great elmer, good man.
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by KA5N on November 7, 2003
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My questions are: What is a "permanent antenna"? and What about Perkin Elmer?
73 Allen
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The Great Elmers
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by CASPER669 on November 7, 2003
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Those who lost their lives on 9/11, KC2IXE - for introducing me to ARES and helping me put my foot in the door, N2NOV - for being as technically inclined as he is, KE2UN - for helping me understand the management portion of ARES work, as well as helping me settle into events and emergency work, and N2ZRC - who has an uncanny nack for APRS. All those mentioned above have contributed (either large or small) in some way to my being a HAM today. God bless them all!
God bless and 73!
Chris KC2KFW
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The Great Elmers
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by SABERSAW on November 7, 2003
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N8SM ex WD8IXE gave many hours of his time to help me learn code. for about 9 months 3-4 times a week he pounded out CW in his living room so I could pass my Novice. Also, being a electrical engineer with expertise in antennas Steve was able to pass on practical antenna information with ease. The day my ticket came in the mail he let me borrow an extremely nice HF radio and helped me put up a couple of wire antennas. From helping a 14 year old learn CW to re crystalizing and tuning a commercial radio for packet my elmer was always willing to help.
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The Great Elmers
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by KE4CQW on November 7, 2003
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TO: John W3GJF (SK)
A great man who did not care if you man, women or a child. To him everyone was extended family if you were a ham you were family.
It's been almost a decade since we lost him but those of us that knew him are forever changed by knowing him.
73's John from all of us in the gang from East Tennessee and the old but good 146.730 repeater.
Moe Brewer KE4CQW
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by KB2FCV on November 7, 2003
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Lets see, Joe K2JAO sparked my interest in Amateur Radio back in 87/88 when I was in 8th grade. He taught myself and others CW and VE'd my Novice test. My interest in Amateur Radio involved into electronics and eventually computers. I often wonder if I hadn't been introduced to such a great hobby if I'd be at my current career, which I like. Joe is responsible for bringing many new hams into the world of Amateur Radio.
Henry, W2QF pushed me through Technician and 20 WPM CW all the way up to Extra class in 1989! I can remember countless hours going back and forth over the repeaters over antenna theory, rules and regs, electronics and many hours ragchewing on 10M CW getting my code speed up. He also got me interested in Vaccuum tube gear.. of which I now have a nice sized collection.
Andy, WA2DKJ I must say has helped keep my interest in all things new in the hobby. He is always bringing in new projects to the club for us to build.. and always poses new challenges. We work on many projects together, our latest is optimizing regen receivers. All three of these guys have certainly been great elmers. 73's
James KB2FCV
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by RobertKoernerExAE7G on November 7, 2003
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Mine Elmer was the ARRL HandBook, and Antenna book. I even had the operators book, and used ARRL code tapes, and study guides.
So, my Elmer was the ARRL.
Plus, I stayed in contact with others in my Novice class that got their ticket, and a couple of other people I knew in another state that got their tickets a few weeks before me.
At the time, I lived in a small town that didn’t have any hams in it. No stop light in town; plus we had the annual town meeting.
Once I became a General, I had tons of hams to talk with about “playing radio.”
73
Bob
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by W3NRL on November 7, 2003
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I've been looking for an elmer, but every time i asked to those with the high degree of ham radio, nobody has the time!!!! same excuse every time.
w3nrl
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by W9WHE on November 7, 2003
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Many hams had no Elmer, and had to do and learn virtually everything on our own. So, I guess, to many of us, we are our own "great Elmer".
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by KD5ING on November 7, 2003
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I really feel sorry for you guys who find yourselves without an Elmer or in a club where the experienced operators don't want to be bothered with helping the new guys.
To me, an Elmer needs two things - patience and joy, and I am lucky to be in a club where most of the members have both.
Patience to repeatedly explain concepts and practices to the newbies and joy when the new guy finally learns something that the Elmer has known for years.
So here is a special thanks to AE5P, KK5BE, AC5Z, and W5TV.
Thanks,
Tim, KD5ING
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by W0FM on November 7, 2003
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I was fortunate enough to have two Elmers in 1960. Andy Rowe (his call escapes me) helped me study for my novice and gave me the exam. I believe he was in the TV/Radio repair business.
O.J. "Mac" McQuiqq, WØQHL, an engineer at KSD-TV in St. Louis let me sit in the control room with him while he aired live TV. "Mac" invited me to his shack that featured a beautiful old Collins S-Line. I remember his staion well. Particularly the day that he disconnected the coax from his Hi Gain Hi-Tower vertical during a thunderstorm and we sat there and watched the static jump from the tip of the PL259 to the concrete basement floor.
When I passed my Novice, Mac made me my first 40/15 meter dipole to help get me on the air quickly. The simple, professional construction of that dipole is etched in my mind and set the bar for what I strive for today.
Thanks for all they did.
73,
Terry, WØFM
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by KT8K on November 7, 2003
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I have had many, many elmers since before I got my novice, from Spence Schubbe N8AP, who pushed me into studying for and taking the novice test in 1978, and Corwin Moore WB8UPM (and others) who encouraged me to look into ham radio before that, to Jim from Belleville whose call I've forgotten and whom I haven't seen in over 20 years, but who was my first on-air contact (3.5 miles distance on 15 meter novice-band CW) and who helped me build and debug my first keyer, an Accu-Keyer from the handbook, in his kitchen (etching the circuit board) and basement (figuring out where the errors were in the circuit diagram). Many other elmers, some of them not even hams, helped me learn about circuitry, antennas, swaps, operating, propagation, repeaters, etc. etc. etc., and I owe them all a great debt of gratitude.
The way I try to repay that debt is the way they repaid their own elmers - by carrying on the tradition and helping any aspiring or budding ham in the most pleasant manner possible to increase their skills, stations, and enjoyment of the hobby. THAT is what every ham should be doing - to be an elmer is to live out the sacred trust of amateur radio, and to attain one of the highest goals and greatest joys in life.
Ham radio and CW forever. 73 de kt8k - Tim
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ARRL and Myself!
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by W8KQE on November 7, 2003
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Back in the mid 70's, when I got into the hobby/service, my greatest 'elmer' was myself and my own curiosity and inquisitiveness about radio communications. When I was about 15, I devoured all the ARRL books, mags (QST, Ham Radio Horizons, CQ, 73), etc. I could find on Ham Radio, and first got into CB, shortwave, and scanner listening. My first ham rig, a simple Heathkit HW-16, helped hone my CW skills bigtime and gave me goosebumps as I worked DX with my attic dipoles and 35 watts. What a great intro into the hobby that was!
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RE: The Great Teacher
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by HAMFAN on November 7, 2003
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Hmmmmm....I find that Elmers' makes cheap crappy glue. But it is good on crackers.
I didn't particularly have an Elmer either, but didn't really seek one out. I came to ham radio from previous radio experience in other services and otherwise possessed the aptitude to learn many things on my own and by seeking out research material like books. So Mr. Experience turned out to be my greatest Elmer. My hat's off to all those who do assist others, FOC, in any endeavor. After all, knowledge doesn't really exist unless it's shared...one way or another.
I'm a refusing-code technician currently elmering some rookies in my area who've jumped ahead of me in ticket class only because they've chosen to force down that archaic beeping cypher to get on HF, but they're largely radio stupid. I gladly assist them with their many silly and basic questions. They're becoming good friends, are fun to talk to and they like this darn radio thing so it's all good.
You Go Elmers!!!!!! 73 KE4ENX
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Several
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by W5HTW on November 7, 2003
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KN4EPR, David. I was 15, and living in Tennessee for a while, and in Spanish class the teacher asked David if he "spoke Spanish with those he contacted on his ham radio." My ears perked up, and he and I became friends. He was step one.
Dick, W4PHW. He saw me sitting at a bus stop in Knoxville, Tennessee, leafing through my just-purchased ($3.50) ARRL Handbook. He asked, "Are you a ham?" I said I was not but wanted to be. Dick introduced me to the Knoxville Amateur Radio Club, gave me a license manual, and had me to his home where I took, under his mentoring, the Novice and a few months later the Technician test. Steps two, three and four!
Dee, W4HTW. When I received the Novice, I had no radio. My father bought me a receiver of sorts, and Dee loaned me a homebrew 40 meter transmitter and two crystals so I could get on the air. Step five.
Rolla, W0YRF. He was my physics teacher in Aurora High School, Aurora, Colorado, and the custodian for the club station (W0SGP, which I dubbed School's Greatest Program.) Step six.
Maynard, K0EPC, for teaching me the joys of 160 meter AM and convincing me a Viking II was the best darned transmitter around (so I got my parents to buy one for me!) Also, Maynard, for having such a neat sister! Step seven and eight!
Myself, for following electronics into the Air Force, into civilian life, with the government, and with radio broadcasting and two way business radio. The rest of the story.
Ed
Ed
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by K0WA on November 7, 2003
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K0JDB (jig-dog-baker)
Loaned me transmitters, receivers, coax, wire, relays.
When I got my General he GAVE me his bug, A Vibroplex Champion and that was almost 40 years ago. I still have the bug. When I turned 18, he gave me one of his homebrew 807s.
Dem were the days....
Lee - K0WA
Member in Good Standing of the OLD Flatland Amateur Radio Transmitting Society.
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Elmers
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by WB2WIK on November 7, 2003
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Nice thought.
Although none of them knew it, I had several, too. Unfortunately, most are Silent Keys now...
Ed Clegg, W2LOY, who taught me quite a lot about VHF construction, circuits and equipment;
Neal Hubach, W2KME, who had a 100% entirely homebrew kilowatt station on every band from 80 through 2 meters and just dazzled me with it...taught me a lot about the fun of home brewing;
Bob Larken, W7PUA (who was W2CLL then), who is happily still with us, and from whom I learned a great deal just hanging out in his basement and tinkering!
Jean Shepherd, K2ORS, just because Jean was a very cool guy to be around, who could poke fun at himself and his lifelong relationship with ham radio and make us all laugh, especially up close at his Limelight shows.
WB2WIK/6
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by W4VR on November 7, 2003
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Santa Claus was my great Elmer. He brought me my first radio and showed me how to use it.
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The Great Elmers
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by K3YD on November 7, 2003
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I really have to credit and thank my Elmer, W3DRS. Over the summer of 1964, Hal pounded some Morse Code skills into my early teen-age brain. My friend, Gary, and I would visit W3DRS's shack each week, listen to some manually sent CW, and then would copy CW practice from W1AW. I have never since heard CW as musical as it sounded on Hal's Collins A-line receiver coupled to a 12" speaker!
Gary and I passed our novice tests in late summer and received consecutive "WN3" calls. Both of us subsiquently upgraded to General, though Gary let his license lapse when he was studying in Europe in the 1970's.
So, thanks Hal, for what you started so long ago!
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by WA2JJH on November 7, 2003
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N2PM-SK N2SJ-SK(9/11) ARNOLD SHIFTMAN(FORGOT CALL)-SK.
SALTS FO THE EARTH. KINDRED SPIRITS.
I guess most hams feel that their ELMERS were the best.
Gene Sheppard K2ORS used to talk about ham radio
on his 50KW AM radio show. Met Gene once at a book signing.
Used to listen to his antics on the radio. I knew from listing to that show, I wanted in!
Wonder how many others wanted to get their ticket,after Gene talked about the engineer that left his lunch on top of the transmitter cabinet of a 10KW AM local station!
Something about the plates of the final output tubes got embedded in the ceiling.
Did Gene make that one up, or did it happen.
Don't matter, the story was great!
73 MIKE
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RE: Elmers
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by K4JSR on November 7, 2003
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The two main Elmers in my life were Bubber Born, W4ZD,
and Shorty Brock, W4MTS, both of whom are SK.
Bubber was in charge of the Atlanta Police Department
Communications Division and was also S.E. Director for
the ARRL. Shorty was a Letter Carrier for the Post Office. Both were proficient CW operators and very active in Ham Radio. In the early '50's was an interesting time to get into Ham Radio. Bubber and Shorty knew how to exploit the romance of the hobby;
The voices from other countries, the smell and warmth
of very large vacuum tube stations, and those almost
mystical rythmn of CW QSO's. It was, indeed, a most
seductive event to be present in either of their shacks while they were on the air! Only a Boat Anchor
enthusiast of today would understand.
Bubber and Shorty taught classes in Bubber's shack.
There was only room for ten or twelve of us at a time,
but they held classes frequently. Usually two or three different classes a week.
I am sad to say that a lot of my former classmates
from those days are either gone from the hobby or
are now SK.
Bubber and Shorty gave something to a lot of us;
A lifetime in a great hobby with a lot of great friends and a piece of themselves which will always be with those of us who were fortunate blessed by
knowing them.
May God always have a warm spot in His heart for
Elmers!
73, Cal K4JSR
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by ANULLRETENTIVE on November 7, 2003
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I'd have to say the ARRL books were the greatest Elmer I ever had. As a kid back in the 60's and early 70's when radio was in my blood, all the hams I ever met were dismissive arrogant jerks. You were either ignored, or baited into a pissing contest to "prove what you didn't know". I even remember our high school ham club turning into physical violence by the older ham students towards the younger new comer's. Even the H.S. electronics teacher was let go for personality problems.
Frankly, a greater than normal portion of the hams that I've dealt with in person have had some social skills problem. Locked in a little room behind the mic they were great to talk to, however out in the open, at a club meeting or even here on E-Ham one can easily spot the misfits. I've Elmer'd everyone that's ever expressed an interest in radio. With few exceptions I can't say that about the hams of my youth.
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by N8YV on November 7, 2003
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My great "Elmer" was actually my own longtime interest in SWL. There have been small contributions along the way from amateur operators, other SWL's and even a CB operator or two (1969-ish, when such operators were a different and better class of people than CB'ers would soon become).
Most of the education I gained was on my own, through many hours of listening, tuning the bands, reading and most of all, antenna-building. Long before computer modeling programs were available, I gained quite a bit of antenna knowledge through experimentation and practice.
Operating techniques, propagation trends, the effects of solar activity and geomagnetic fields----these were all garnered from owning and operating a number of progressively better receivers over the years. I was home-brewing test equipment, power supplies and etching my own PC (that's printed circuit, for all you techno-geeks who aren't familiar with what "PC" REALLY means) boards for years, before I became a licensed amateur.
I cannot say that I was "self-taught", because without the wealth of books, articles, technical papers and the benefit of being a radio hobbyist, I would not have acquired what I did. On the other hand, I was never taken under the wing of any particular Elmer---no single person was my inspiration.
Unfortunately, in today's world of convenient and cheap technology, there is little to inspire people to learn about ham radio, analog electronics, or how things work. Amateur radio needs Elmers now more than ever, to get the kids out from behind their video game monitors, surgically separate them from their cell phones and laptops, and provide a spark of interest (that is, if they aren't already mind-numbed!).
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by WB2JKM on November 7, 2003
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Interesting topic! I had a couple of pretty good elmers -- my brother and also the father of a high school buddy were great elmers. I also had one total a-hole of an anti-elmer. My neighbor three houses down was a ham and alway very critical of anything I tried. In his book there was nothing as stupid and useless as a young (14 year old) novice and he made sure I knew it too. He would also get into the 807's a bit heavy and then head on down to the novice bands with his kilowatt station and that would be the end of my operating for the evening. As usual, along with the good comes the bad. There's nothing new about "crotchety old farts" as they have been described here on e-ham. They've been around forever!
So, to the 2 hams that positively influenced my ham life, a big thanks. They are both SK now but not forgotten. To my anti-elmer, there's lots of people who are happy you are taking a long deserved dirt nap now.
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by WB2WIK on November 7, 2003
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WA2JJH, Jean Shepherd K2ORS was indeed a funny guy and his ham radio related stories were great.
I met him many times, and spent some quality time with Jean at a Thanksgiving dinner we both attended in November 1980 -- which I'll never forget. His live shows on Saturday nights from The Limelight were great, and my friends and I attended a lot of them, especially in the late 1960's - early 1970's.
His guest speaking engagement at the Dayton Hamvention about 16-17 years ago, where he was the featured speaker at the banquet, brought the house down. I remember it very well, and as always, Jean poked a lot of fun at himself. His ending line was something like, "Yeah, so here at Dayton, I bought this new rig. It's a Kenwood, TS-440. Hmmm. 'T.S.' I guess even Kenwood is trying to tell me something...." and he walked off the stage.
WB2WIK/6
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by WA2JJH on November 7, 2003
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YUP. WB2WIK, he had the best sense of humor. He did not have to rely on Lenny Bruce like launguage for his act.
Ironicly, I live around the corner of Jeans Old QTH.
As kids, my chums would always try to see if he was around.
He always talked about a cockroach infested apt in Greenwich Village on the radio.
His PBS TV show was cool too. Remember when he was a guest on that kids how WONDEROMA! His wit extended to all ages.
Well, it is good around XMAS, they always play his XMAS movie. Funny as heck and rated G!
I had In GOD we trust,all others pay cash! autographed! He never let his fame go to his head.
I guess a movie of his life in Broadcasting will not be produced. Too bad, a loss to all.
Enough nostalgia 73 de MIKE
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by AB5XZ on November 7, 2003
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Bob, W5GEL, was Elmer to many hams in Corpus Christi and the rest of South Texas.
Henry, W5HQR/W5HQ (SK), was Elmer to a lot of us.
Both of them were great Elmers to me and my Dad (KN5YFM/KC5FLG,SK).
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by N2OAM on November 7, 2003
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So many along the way, I'll try not to leave anyone out. Always interested in electronics, from as far back as I can remember. Thanks to the following:\
Jay Croissant, K2UPA(SK) for hiring me in his TV repair shop & teaching me the ropes. To Al Lush, K2RYT,
& Jeff Hartman, WA2HUF, for sparking my interest in Ham radio by taking me on 10 Meter fox hunts on Long Island in the '60' & to Al for hiring me as a part-time engineer at WGBB. To Len, N2KPM for helping me to realize there's more to ham radio than 2 Meters. To BILL, K2DW & Don, N2LTK, for taking me up to 13 WPM (kicking & screaming, all the way). To K2DS & WA2UKP
for sharing their knowledge of antennas & contesting.
To Rob, K2ROB for all those "construction nights" at
QSY society. To Hank, WB2QAM(SK) for keeping us laughing with his WWII stories, especially "the cow s#@t girls" from France. To Bill, K2WPM, for bringing ham radio back to the first club we belonged to. The old guard wanted to talk (and fight) about club politics.
73,
bob
n2oam
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by LARNED on November 7, 2003
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Russ, K1HOP, was my Elmer. I met him through his son, Mark, who was and still is, a dear friend. Russ had an Icom IC-720, or '721, with a homebrewed transmatch and used plumbing pipes as an antenna. "You can laugh," he'd say, "but I just talked to a guy in France off those pipes." On Saturday mornings, I would listen with Russ to his HF rig. He and a friend tested me, and I received the Novice class license, KA1WHT, in August 1990. I built a 40 meter dipole, which he promptly launched into an evergreen tree with his slingshot, in Bolton, Connecticut. He loaned me a Johnson Viking transmitter, and I had a knife switch to disconnect a DX-440 receiver from a separate rx antenna as I pounded brass.
Russ was an avid CW operator in 1990. I vividly remember his living room computer generating 55 WPM Morse which he interpreted in front of me. I was a flaky, 17 year-old high school junior in 1990, but Russ' doctorate in electrical engineering was always in patient stand-by mode whenever I needed technical help.
It is him, and my father, Larry Larned, I thank for not spoiling me with solid state equipment, and store bought antennas--I started ham radio with a CW-only vacuum tube transmitter, built the antenna with Dad's soldering skills, and used a no-frills, basic receiver.
I'm 30 years old now, and a Navy electronics technician at NAS JAX. Last night I passed my Extra
class test with the North Florida Amateur Radio Society in Jacksonville, and couldn't help reminiscing about my beginnings. 13 years later, I'm still following Russ' advice, "Always keep a spark of ham radio alive."
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by N3YL on November 7, 2003
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MY ELMER
Being a proud graduate of the N3OO (ex-WA3CXW) home school of amateur radio training, I'd like to say a little about elmers. They are probably one of the most crucial elements of amateur radio. As far as I'm concerned, we had the best. When I say "we" I'm talking about myself and two sons (KA3S, Bob Jr. & KS3V, Mike).
When I was first licensed as a novice back in 1976, believe me, it took a lot of patience to teach a YL about ham radio. Not only the theory, by CW also. When I first heard CW at 5 wpm, I thought there's no way I'm ever going to learn this. But my elmer proved me wrong. I was happy as a clam when I opened up that FCC envelope upon receiving my first ticket. And I still remember the pride in my elmer's eyes. I was perfectly happy doing what I was doing, working the novice bands into the wee hours of the morning on 80m CW. I did this for a couple of years until one day, our youngest son, Mike, at the age of 8 came over to the radio desk and asked if he could learn "that" too. I told him if I can learn it, anyone can. Naturally, when one son wanted to, so did the other - he was 9.
So began the enormous task for our elmer now to begin all over again. Of course, kids absorb things better than adults and in no time, there were three novices in the house all battling for "air" time. I could see I was going to have a dilemma on my hands because the kids were anxious to upgrade. So like the saying goes, "if you can't beat'em, join'em."
Hours and hours were spent listening to CW records. In order to pass the 13 wpm test, we had to copy 15 wpm. And later, for the 20 wpm test, we had to copy 25 wpm. Our oldest son (KA3S) asked our elmer, "dad, why do we have to do it like this?" And the answer was because it's the right way. The ARRL license manual was our bible. Just picture two little boys AND A YL learning about voltages, inductance, impedance, zener diodes, etc. Again, the question - "dad, why do we have to do it like this?" And the same response, because it's the right way. Our elmer didn't cut us any slack either. We were going to know it by the book or we didn't even think about upgrading.
Our elmer travelled many miles for us to upgrade. We all didn't progress at the same pace either but even if one of us was ready to upgrade, we all went. For about three years we went to exam centers from Monroeville, PA to Dayton, OH with the last trip to Buffalo, NY where Mike (KS3V) and I passed our extra exams. We didn't have VE's but had to go in front of the FCC. To me, this was like sitting in front of God. I was the only YL in the group and Mike was the only child - he was now 11 years old. Needless to say, the return trip home from Buffalo was full of pride for our elmer. He now had three extra class licensees under his wing.
Hamfests were always fun for us too. Mike was always taking home the prize for the youngest ham. Hats and name tags were worn with pride. But no one was ever more proud of us than our elmer.
Bob Jr. is now 33 years old and an avid CW Dxer with over 320 countries confirmed. He blames his lack of progress on six years of college. Unfortunately, Mike isn't in to ham radio at the present time but he still remembers his code. He uses it now to talk to me when he doesn't want his xyl to know what he is saying - she doesn't like it but we get a kick out of it!. It especially comes in handy for him at Christmastime when he doesn't want her to know what he bought her.
As for me, I still to this day learn something new from my elmer about ham radio just by listening to him. I wish everyone in the world of ham radio could have had an elmer like mine.
Now the kids are married and gone, but the awards still hang in their frames on the wall of the shack along with QSL cards from all over the world. There's no doubt in my mind that someday, Bob Jr. will hear the words, "dad, why do we have to do it like that?"
I'm sure there are a lot of stories out there about elmers - this is mine.
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FCC Deadline for Comments on Additional Morse Code
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by K4FAU on November 7, 2003
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FCC Deadline for Comments on Additional Morse Code-Related Petitions is Today (Nov 7, 2003) -- The deadline to submit electronic comments on seven FCC Petitions for Rulemaking regarding Morse code testing for US Amateur Radio operator is midnight, November 7. As of 7 PM November 6, 1893 comments have been filed by various interested individuals and parties, with a large plurality of respondents commenting on a proposal by FISTS CW Club
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by K0NEB on November 7, 2003
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My Elmer was Leo Meyerson, W0GFQ (Get Fat Quick) founder of World Radio Labs in Council Bluffs, IA. He taught me what it was like to talk halfway around the world on a Galaxy radio made right there...let me see my very first HF rig, a Galaxy GT-550 as it went through the assembly line and then it was mine! His patience and friendship are always something that I remember as what got me into this hobby.
Joe, K0NEB
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The Great Elmers
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by K7FD on November 7, 2003
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I had 2 elmers in 1966. An Allied Catalog and the ARRL License Manual.
The only Elmer I knew owned Elmer's Pancake House.
73 John K7FD
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by N8MMZ on November 7, 2003
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I too was home schooled! My elmers were k3ZAP and N8TD. Both of those folks were active in the scouts (One in an explorer post and one in a reg. troop). They were both very patient with us "kids" in the scouts and encouraged our hands on usage of the hobby. I still remember showing up at N8TD's house with my other proctor, K3ZAP, present as they gave me the CW element and then the written part (that was over 15~20 years ago now!!). I remember the shakes I had as the code tape was played!!! I passed on the minute of solid copy as well as the fill in the blanks portion of the cw exam (although my writing was VERY shaky).
My hats off to those two folks. They kept this kid off of nintendo and out of the bars!
73's de N8MMZ
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by KC8VWM on November 8, 2003
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The greatest elmers today are called "E-elmers" and we are all fortunate to have the internet today as they are all right here on these forums.
My hat is off to those individuals that have participated in helping newcomers and myself by using eham forums as a medium to promote Amateur Radio and goodwill.
73
Charles - KC8VWM
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The Great Elmers
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by KC7BDP on November 8, 2003
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Two Elmers:
(10 years old) Older brother Art Allen (no call); who first let me work with him on rebuilding old guitar amps. All my presently operating gear is solid state; but I still love the smell of dust cooking off a tube chassis. Arthritis has left him barely able to play rythm, with occasional painful "Chet Atkins-style" riffs; doesn't even pick up a soldering iron anymore.
(14 years old) Jim Hume, KA7CIM: Met him when I got into (yes, I'll admit it) CB as a very young teen; he already had his ticket, but would still repair 11M gear (for pay - he had his 1st Phone as well). Sat me down and taught me how I popped one of my radios, then how to fix it. Taught me mic wiring, and basic electronic repair; let me do "his light work" on his bench, then he supervised final checkout before returning it to his customer. Never gave me grief for being a CBer, just made sure I did a quality job. Heady stuff for a 14 year old.
(25 years old) KA7CIM again. Approved my going to work in a radio shop. Taught me paging, trunking, repeater repair and construction. I popped a GE MastrII 110W continuous duty PA while tuning cans one day; he taught me the single great lesson of RF work: "If you never blow anything up, it's because you haven't done a h*** of a lot." Encouraged me to through getting my NABER cert.
(32 years old) Finally studied (on my own) and sat for the Tech exam. My first call on my new ticket (3/13/94, the day it came in the mail) was to 'CIM. 5 minute conversation; he ended with; "Have fun, pay attention, don't let these guys give you a bunch of....brown stuff." I knew what he was saying to me, and still follow that advice - best I ever got.
Jimmy
KC7BDP
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The Great Elmers
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by BERT on November 8, 2003
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I've been fortunate enough to be able to call two very patient individuals my Elmers thus far.
Dick, N0BK, who patiently answered, literally, hundreds of e-mails from this curious newbie. Dick also got me off my duff to just take the test and "get it done" when he sensed that I was "over-prepping" for Element 1. Sadly, N0BK is now SK, but will always be remembered for his willingness to share his knowledge.
Jim, N2EY, who continues to patiently answer this newbie's questions and subjected himself to my straight key for my very first CW QSO. I'm not sure he'll ever understand how privileged I feel to have had my first CW contact with my Elmer. All prospective Hams should have someone as caring and knowledgeable as Jim to guide them in the right direction. I know and appreciate how lucky I am to have benefited from Jim's knowledge and experience. Thanks Jim.
Ironically, I've never met either gentleman face-to-face, however, I feel as if I've known them all my life. Now THERE'S a quality of amateur radio that oft goes unmentioned.
Vy 73 to all de Bert, WA2SI
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by CWTITAN on November 8, 2003
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A couple of the most memorable elmers to me were people who always look for the answers if they don't know it, and dog it until they find the help I ever needed. One was a XYL, and extra, who helped me countless times. She encouraged me, until no end, always. It was Pam Follansbee WM7R, of Pasco Washington. The other is Bob Mckibbin, K7VNW, of Richland Washington, who always went the extra mile to help me with equipment and excellent advise. I truly have a hat off to both, and will always remember them as careing helpful folks.
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by KC8JZO on November 8, 2003
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Fred Lehman -- WD8MGO
Passed away in July (too early, too young). He always bugged me to upgrade (which I've yet to do). Fred got me interested in Military radio collecting, and Bendix-King gear. It's difficult to play radio without thinking about him.
It wouldn't be fair to forget about Wayne Gentry -- N8ORL. Without him, I wouldn't be aware of this hobby in the first place.
My Grandpa -- a non-ham, but he supported me. I lost him this past December. He bought my first crystal scanner (a Realistic), and my Zenith Trans-Oceanic.
These won't be my only Elmers. This hobby will evolve, and I'll keep learning along the way.
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The Great Elmers
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by W9TM on November 8, 2003
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This interesting string wouldn't be complete without mentioning ELMER (Bud) P FROHARDT JR, W9DY. Bud, of course, is the person from whom the term was derived decades ago and is an outstanding example of a teacher, coach and mentor to countless dozens of inspiring hams.
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by WR8D on November 8, 2003
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My elmer was a funeral home director. He was a very busy one too so i had to catch him at work. It made me very nervous to be there in those surroundings so i was in a big hurry to learn all he could teach me. Hi Hi.
I've seen some posts here from folks that cant get anyone to elmer them. Some say the older hams dont seem to be interested and will not take the time to help out. Here's another side of elmering i've ran into. We gave a class here and five new guys made their ham license. All of us in the area tried to help these folks. We invited them to our homes to come in and see our shacks and operate with us. These guys knew nothing at all about ham radio. They just studied and passed the exams and were "green". Each one of us that tried to elmer these guys ran into the same situation each time. They would not listen to us. You could not explain anything about an antenna system or any radio to them. They already knew it all. If they came into a radio room that had an amplifier inline they wanted to run in excess of the legal limit. We could'nt explain to them about alc and not running a mic wide open and these are just two examples. I could go on here and write a book.
For some reason there's more and more of these types of individuals showing up at our classes. What can you do? We try to teach them good amateur practice during the classes .. they make a good grade and pass the exams and then we find out many are just hardcore cb types. In the area here where i live we have hams from all age groups that want to help out and elmer...but how can you elmer someone when they already think they know more than you? Thats the typicial attitude! Also after the test is passed they get arrogant. Some are really smart folks too. Several have been on cb for over 25 years and only study for a month and pass all the exams. Imagine...study real hard and in about a month go from being a cber to an extra class ham and have a bad ego...and have all the bands and freq's at your finger tips.
Sorry...this is my latest elmering experiance and to me its not amateur radio!
73
John WR8D
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by N1VLQ on November 8, 2003
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I met my first elmer when I took the position of manager at this store that most of you folks don't like very much.... grin (coughsputterradioshackcoughsputter)
As I got settled in to this particular store, and got to know my new employees, I found that one of them was a lifelong ham radio operator, Bernie Glassmeyer, W1QT (then W9KDR) who was working part-time here. This was in 1993, which was a time when RS sold quite a few HTX-202's. RS started to let individual stores go to local hamfests at the time, and since I had an employee who actually was a ham,(and I was willing to do it) Bernie and I went out to one. I had a ball talking with folks, and decided that before the next years hamfest I would "put my money where my mouth was", and get my own ticket. Little did I imagine how much I would take to this hobby.
Bernie was fantastic to talk to, about anything, ham related or otherwise. He was very encouraging, and taught me many things, but it was his attitude that made the greatest impact on me. To him, being a ham operator meant you behaved better than others, that you were held to a higher standard. He wasn't obnoxious about it, in fact I don't know as he ever voiced in so many words, but I could sense it from him, and understood it then, as I do now. It is a priviledge, not an entitlement. As time went on, I began to learn exactly how much Bernie meant to ham radio, and it to him. I was astounded at the accomplishments he had made. It took some pulling and digging, because he wasn't one to crow about such things. But I found out that Bernie, my part-timer Bernie, was instrumental in the ARRL's work to get ham radio aboard the Space Shuttle. I actually got him to bring in a tape recording that he had of the first QSO's that day, and sat wide-eyed listening to Barry Goldwater talking to Owen Garriot, then the next person on is Bernie! How cool! I later found out that he has been published in the ARRL antenna book in years past, and worked for the League for many years. I got to see some of the awards that he had earned, and to hear about many interesting contacts. Now that he has moved to the left coast, I've come to realize that I should have spent much more time listening to him, about anything he wanted to talk about. I still email him occasionally, so maybe I'll do just that, and soon.
Bob Carter, AA1PI, has been a dear friend and a great elmer to me, as well. He has taught me so many of the basic technical things that newbies need to learn, and he's always there to encourage me on something new, as well as to find my cold solder joints! Thanks Bob!
Everett Beal, KA1BFA, is another who has taught me great deal, about a number of aspects in ham radio. He, too helps me out with the crazy things that I think I want to try. Bob Begley, W1KMG, as well.
And lastly, I want to thank Steve, WB2WIK and all the others who patiently answer questions in the Ask The Experts section here at eHam. I ask a few things there, but mainly go and read what other people are doing, and try to learn from them, as well. Steve and the others all always there, and their experience and patience is greatly appreciated.
Hopefully I've helped a few folks along the way myself, if not to the extent that the folks listed above have helped me, but maybe in time, I'll be able to "pay it forward" in a manner similar to theirs...
Take care everyone.
73
Bruce, N1VLQ
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by K4AXX on November 8, 2003
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Fudd was the greatest Elmer I can remember....-sigh-
K5DVW gave me a chuckle along with several others that I noted here. The reason for the sigh, our terminology, which is so outdated IMO. The equipment which we have today is state of the art. Our word usage, just ancient history. Old Man (OM). I did not like being called an OM when I started out over 25 years ago. Now that I'm old, I like it even less! The list of words is a long one and just does not fit in anymore As for the elmers, that list is a long one too. eHam.net has some really knowledgeable experienced teachers here. And there is always something new to learn from them. To me, one of the best learning sites on the net.
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The Great Elmers
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by NV7E on November 9, 2003
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One of my Elmers was Elmer Malone, W9LXL. He was confined to a wheelchair and living in Elmwood Park, Illinois, in 1963 when I first met him. He was active on 40 meter AM every day. He gave me the Novice test. It took me three tries to get the CW 25 characters together at 5 wpm but I finally made it. I became WN9INK and later WA9INK. Elmer later moved to California. Now there are no more Elmers in the FCC database. My other Elmer was Clark McCarron, WN9FLT. He was a fellow grade student at my school at the time. He had a Knight-Kit station in his basement and helped me get a similar station on the air. Unfortunately, I think Clark did not continue in ham radio.
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by NI0C on November 9, 2003
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I owe my interest in ham radio to my cousin, K0SSN, who showed me the way to a Novice license and how to set up a station. I owe my interest in DX to the late OH3NY who answered my cq one night as I was operating crystal controlled on 20 meters. Matti also patiently answered the two direct QSL's I sent just a few weeks apart! What a thrill for a 15 year old kid!
One of my neighborhood friends was Bud, K0YIP. We learned how to share the bands, especially when his family moved from a block away to right next door! Bud and I joined the NW St. Louis Amateur Radio Club, and operated Field Day and DX contests with K0GSV and K0JPL.
My CW skills were honed in countless QRQ roundtable QSO's on 80 meters with Jim, W0DCP and Earl, W9RCB (both SK).
My next door neighbor on the other side was Art Heil, owner of Heil Electric, a motor & generator rewinding and repair shop. Although Art was not a licensed ham, he encouraged my interest in electricity and electronics, let me put up half of an inverted vee (for 40m & 80m) in a huge linden tree in his back yard, and never complained about TVI. Several years ago I wrote an article about business ethics and illustrated it with lessons I learned from chats with Art over the back fence.
My interest in ham radio continues to be nurtured by my son John, AA0BP, my neighbor George, AA0FT, other buddies in the Mississippi Valley DX & Contest Club. and friends I meet right here on eHam.
73 de Chuck NI0C
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The Great Elmers
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by K1XV on November 9, 2003
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My greatest Elmer was John Koval, then WA2OGC. I lost track of John many years ago, and I he may no longer be licensed. He is probably a retired USAF officer at this time if he is still around.
In 1961, John, then a General Class license holder and a sophomore at Bloomfield High School, convinced the Bloomfield NJ Board of Education to let him start a high school radio club. With an appropriation of about $300, he had a Hy-Gain tribander which was put on the roof of the school, and had no money left over for a receiver or transmitter. All we had was this end of a piece of coax, and a rotator box in the radio shack. So John and others would bring in boatanchor gear from home to put the station on the air.
I joined the club with no license, along with about a dozen others. John brought it code records and got us all our Novice licenses. Without John's help, there was no way I was going to learn the code, so he got me started. About four or five of John's Novices are still licensed, but sadly John is not. I know he went to Newark College of Engineering and through Air Force ROTC became a USAF Officer and was still in the Air Force in the 1980s. Hopefully he is not now a Silent Key.
I never really got a chance to thank him. So, here it goes: THANK YOU JOHN, VERY VERY MUCH.
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by KG4OOA on November 9, 2003
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W8YKA - Lynn VanAman was the chief engineer at WHBC in Canton, Ohio taught me the theory.
W8AL (at one time 8AL) taught me CW and the love of it. He never used phone until around 1964.
The reason old timers don't Elmer much anymore is simple. The newbies know it all. They want to tell us how it is, not listen.
Bob
KG4OOA (WN8BZC in 1960)
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The Great Elmers
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by G5FSD on November 10, 2003
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My greatest elmers are the curmudgeons on here that tell me I'm lazy because I'm not interested in code.
They REALLY inspire me towards getting on with it.
Not.
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by OLDFART13 on November 10, 2003
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"The reason old timers don't Elmer much anymore is simple. The newbies know it all. They want to tell us how it is, not listen."
Bob
KG4OOA (WN8BZC in 1960)
Very true bob. All the new hams just try to put us down and demand that CW is outdated and needs eliminated. I guess they want to eliminate me also. But heaven forbid that I would say something against them then I am just some grumpy old outdated fart.
Respect of elders = Elmers
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by N3TTN on November 11, 2003
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OLDFART13 Wrote: "Very true bob. All the new hams just try to put us down and demand that CW is outdated and needs eliminated. I guess they want to eliminate me also. But heaven forbid that I would say something against them then I am just some grumpy old outdated fart."
You just don't get it do you?? How many times am I going to have to expose you before you stop saying "we hams" and "us hams"??? If you don't have a ticket, then YOU ARE NOT A HAM....period, GOT IT NOW???? If you are not licensed, then you are NOT PART OF THE AMATEUR FRATERNITY....END OF STORY. The only "we" and "us" is in your dreams, so go get yourself a ticket, then come back and talk about "us". You are not licensed by your own admission, so where do you get off telling licensed amateurs how to conduct themselves??? It's like a cab driver telling a pilot how to fly....please...spare me.
N3TTN
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by N3TTN on November 11, 2003
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OLDFART13 Wrote: "Very true bob. All the new hams just try to put us down and demand that CW is outdated and needs eliminated. I guess they want to eliminate me also. But heaven forbid that I would say something against them then I am just some grumpy old outdated fart."
You just don't get it do you?? How many times am I going to have to expose you before you stop saying "we hams" and "us hams"??? If you don't have a ticket, then YOU ARE NOT A HAM....period, GOT IT NOW???? If you are not licensed, then you are NOT PART OF THE AMATEUR FRATERNITY....END OF STORY. The only "we" and "us" is in your dreams, so go get yourself a ticket, then come back and talk about "us". You are not licensed by your own admission, so where do you get off telling licensed amateurs how to conduct themselves??? It's like a cab driver telling a pilot how to fly....please...spare me.
N3TTN
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by N8FVJ on November 11, 2003
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My elmer was the ARRL Handbook. At the age of 11 I just took to electronics like a duck to water. I was repairing radios a year later. I must have read that book cover to cover 20 times!
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by KC7MM on November 12, 2003
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I think we have all been touched somehow by someone in this wonderful hobby/service we share. Two of the best that come to my mind are Mitch WB7NCN and Les NR7B. Mitch turned me on to ham radio around 1979. He invited me to his house to show me his Hot Water 101 and Hygain TH6 antenna. The next thing I knew, I was chatting with a ham down in Chile! I can't tell you how nervous I was while talking into that mic that night. Mitch and I did some contesting together in the early '80s, and thought we were pretty cool running hundreds of low power JA's all evening. I don't think it ever occurred to either of us at the time that we needed to go after more multipliers.
Les NR7B (SK) was like a father to me. He taught me almost everything I know about ham radio, and a lot that I have forgotten. One of his greatest lessons was to always give something back. He got me involved in the local ham clubs, we taught novice classes together, and we VE'd at many ARRL and W5YI exams together. I think he was prouder than me when I passed my 20 wpm code and Extra exam the first time out. When he was 80, I asked him over to my house to watch and advise as I worked on my antennas on the roof. My wife sternly warned me not to let him on the roof! Well guess what? As soon as I turned my back and called down to him to throw up a 1/2" wrench, he answered from directly behind me on the roof that he had it in hand. I was so startled I nearly fell off! We both had a good laugh, and then looked down at my wife standing below, hands on hips, with THAT LOOK on her face. I'll never forget that day.
Oh, one last elmer I almost forgot. Bill K7EFB, easy fine business. Bill has been there whenever I have needed help for anything. He's kept in contact by phone and radio and always makes the time to help anyone. For a man with few earthly possessions, he is always willing to share what he has. A real gentleman.
Thanks to all. And to the good people here on eHam.
Dale KC7MM
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by K0WMW on November 12, 2003
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A tearful, heartfelt thanks to my ELMER, SK Gearl McIntosh, K0WMW, Springfield, Missouri who's call I am now proud, and honored to as a vanity call. Gearl and his wife Judy were the first to open their home and his radio shack to a scared newcomer in the late 1970's. Gearl taught me more than he ever was aware of. When I had no equipment of my own, Gearl invited me over to work a few c-w contacts. This wasn't just your "average" ham station/equipment...this was a complete Collins S-Line and he entrusted me to operate it. The S-Line was doing then, nearly 25 years ago, what the new, fancy, high tech bells and whistles radios are doing today. Gearl would tell me, "find yourself a hole and jump in there!". That first day I fell in love with amateur radio, c-w, and the Collins S-Line. My dream now is to own a complete Collins S-Line, just like Gearl had. In short, Gearl taught me proper operating procedures, patience, consideration, and how to be a great amateur radio operator. Thanks Gearl! With tears in my eyes, and a lump in my throat, I miss you Gearl! It gets lonely down here without you. Rest in peace my friend and THANK YOU for all you did for me. God Bless you.
Tom
K0WMW
Pensacola, Florida
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by KD5OUH on November 15, 2003
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my elmer was a very big help during my studying for my exam his name was mac ferguson his callsign was k5ad
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by WB4IME on November 15, 2003
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Mine, at age 13, was Bob Higgins from St. Petersburg, Florida. The suburb was Kenneth City, located just North of the St. Petersburg city limits.
I don't remember his call any longer but my feeble brain seems to recall it being W4OJR. The call is now assigned to someone else in the Atlanta area.
He had patience and interest - two required qualities if you are going to guide a 13 year old fledgling. He passed away some years back. Among the things I learned from him the most influential was how to send code properly.
I just remembered how kind he was to visit in my home during my first few contacts after receiving my Novice ticket. I was so nervous, holding onto the straight key was almost impossible - but his presence made all the difference !
Thanks for reliving some fine memories.
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by WH6DM on November 18, 2003
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My greatest Elmer of the many Hams that I have been aquainted with would be "KH6LT" Carl was one of the first hams that I spoke with when I first got my ticket. Stayed up late on the phone helping me with my packet station. We lived in Hawaii myself on the north shore and Carl near the Aloha statium. Thanks for a great job Carl.
The other would be WD4IFI for always being there when everything was going crazy. not only is BC as he is known an all around great friend he has done his share to bring a great many new hams to the hobbie. Thanks again BC for a job well done.
73 de Alan WH6DM
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by W3RAZ on November 18, 2003
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My great elmer was a elmer to me in not just ham radio, but my life. The previous W3RAZ, Dale Fulton, my grandfather was the man other then my father that I respected the most. It is in his memory that i carry on his call sign. He may not have set with my when I studied for my exam, but he was alive when I got my license (but in the hospital after multiple strokes) and after I upgraded to general, I took his call. Thank you grandpa for giving me a wonderful hobby where I meet many friends, both on air and off.
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RE: The Great Elmers
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by AB9LZ on June 8, 2006
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Mail this to a friend!
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Tho I never met them, Roy Lewellyn and Doug DeMaw. As a kid I stared for hours at the articles they wrote about the cool radios they built, hoping for the day I could bring my own to life. I now have several of great designs on the air.
73 Mark
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