Radio Amateurs 'Twas The Night Before Christmas'
Created by Unknown Author on 2000-12-20
A CHRISTMAS POEM
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shack
The rig was turned off and the mike cord lay slack.
The antenna rotor had made its lastturn,
The tubes in the linear have long ceased to burn.
I sat there relaxing and took offmy specs,
Preparing to daydream of armchair DX,
When suddenly outside I heard such a sound,
I dashed out the door to see what was around.
The moon shone down brightly andlighted the night-
For sure, propagation for the low bands was right.
I peered towards the roof where Iheard all the racket,
And there was some guy in a red, fur-trimmed jacket.
I stood there perplexed in a mannerquite giddy.
Just who was this stranger - di di dah dah di dit ?
He looked very much like an FCCguy,
Who'd come to check up on some bad TVI.
I shouted to him, "OM ! QRZ?"
" Hey you by the chimney, alldressed up in red !"
I suddenly knew when I heard sleigh bells jingle,
The guy on the rooftop was jolly Kris Kringle.
He had a big sack full of amateurgear,
Which was a big load for his prancing reindeer.
Transmitters, receivers, for cabinets and racks,
Some meters and scopes and a lot of co-ax.
He said not a word 'cause he'dfinished his work
He picked up his sack, then he turned with a jerk.
As he leaped to his sleigh, he shouted with glee,
And I knew in a moment he'd be QRT.
I heard him transmit as he flewo'er the trees
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all seventy-three."
| N3ZPC | 2000-12-23 | |
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| Radio Amateurs 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' | ||
| Great poem! Here is one that I published in the Antietam Radio Association's club newsletter, the QRN, a couple of years ago: ‘Twas an Amateur Christmas By Jack Wright, KC4ZEK ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the night, We Amateurs sent messages, with the speed of light. The stockings were hung by the ham rigs with care, In hopes a new dual-bander, soon would be there. And Ma with her HT, and I with my set, Had just settled down for a long Winter’s net. Here and there are the books that we need, Books that we’re crazy if we don’t read. Books equal to motherhood, and apple pie, Like Uncle Wayne, they Never Say Die! When out in the street there arose such a clatter, I sprang to the window to see what was the matter. When what to my wondering eyes should see, But a plain gray van, with a license plate: “FCC”. With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew as my heart sank, it was not St. Nick. He knocked at the door, no chimney to help, Said “I’m from the government, I’ll have those cookies and milk.” Now I thought to myself, ‘What a sticky wicket”, With laser sharp eyes he was examining my ‘ticket’. He tested the radios, one by one, I held my breath, and tried not to run. Now Yaesu, now Kenwood, now Ten-Tec and Icom, On Comet, on Cushcraft, on Azden and Den-Tron, To the top of the tower, to the end of the beam, Now dash away, dash away, signals SO CLEAN! After testing my setup, and laughing so gay, Not “HUMBUG” said he, but “Your rigs are OK”. Then he was away like a flash, no question or fee, By then, he was just like Santa Claus to me. And..I heard him exclaim ‘ere he drove out of sight, “73’s TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!” | ||
| N7LT | 2000-12-22 | |
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| Radio Amateurs 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' | ||
| Great poem! Enjoyed it very much....thank you! Here is an old one I found in QST from many years ago...from the 50's or 60's...cant remember what year it was but it's a good one. Enjoy. Lyndel, N7LT One Ham's Night Beofre Christmas By VE3AJR 'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse, The rig was tuned up with the greatest of care In hopes that the station I sought would be there. My hubby was nestled all snug in his bed But visions of rare DX danced through my head. When out of the speaker there came such a splatter I sprang to the dial to see what was the matter. Away to the Collins I flew like a flash And threw in the filter to cut down the hash. With both gains turned back as far as they'd go, I waited to see if his call I would know. When what to my wondering ear should appear But "MC2U, Mobile", solid and clear. What a jolly old signal! I zeroed him quick But I felt in my heart that it must be a trick. In the many long years I had been in the game I have ne'er worked a station with such an odd name. I had contacted Danzig and Paris - Bombay And some little village in Paraguay. The QSL cards fairly covered the wall, But MC2U would be the rarest of all. At last he stopped calling, 'twas time to let fly. If I messed this one up, I was sure I would die. With quivering lips and shaking knees too, I reached out my hand and the plate switch I threw. And then, in a twinkling, I heard overhead A racket, enough to awaken the dead. My plate current jumped and the meters swung round, And down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot And his clothes were all covered with tarnish and soot. A stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth And something encircled his head like a wreath. It circled his chest and his little round belly Like a meat-ball surrounded by vermicelli. It seemed rather strange, this peculiar attire. Oh no! Could it be? My antenna wire!!! He held up a feeder, the jolly old elf, And we laughed till we cried, old St. Nick and myself. And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. As I watched from the window, he went straight to work, And, in no time at all, he turned with a jerk. And there on the roof, standing sturdy and tall Was a beautiful beam, with rotator and all! As my eyes filled with tears that longed to be shed, He peeked in the window and waggled his head. "Don't thank me, my sweet, it's the least I can do | ||
| M1XCG | 2000-12-21 | |
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| Radio Amateurs 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' | ||
| Brilliant sir! | ||
