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Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:

Created by computerworld.com on 2008-08-16

Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:

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KD7MTI2008-08-19
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
I recall reading byte magazine, microcomputing, 73, etc., for two things: 1) Wayne's editorial and 2) Technical articles.

I looked forward to Wayne's editorial every month. He did motivate me and others to "try" things.

I never knew he was nutty until I read the interview; how sad.

Robert kd7mti, 4z5sw

WR8Y2008-08-19
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
"I feel that I'v changed the world more than anyone else."

Wayne was always arrogant, but he's become a real nut case now. He even claims that HIS promotion of 2 meter repeaters led to the cell phone!

73 was a cool and fun magazine, kudos to him for what it contributed - but Wayne is a nutjob. ANYONE who lived thru the 60's and thinks we did not go to the moon is a kook. ANYONE.
K5UJ2008-08-19
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
<<<Not only was Wayne a real nutcase>>>

Not always. Yeah, I'll admit he's migrated into crankdom, especially since cold fusion in the late 1980s but the pre-cold fusion Wayne Green had a lot of opinions that made sense.


<<<73 magazine never had technical editing or information checking at any level. It was a collection of whatever drivel was sent in. They would print almost anything.>>>

I won't argue against that but show me a ham magazine with refereed professional IEEE type standards. QST? Don't kid yourself. Over the years even the august and revered QST has run some pretty stupid things.

Wayne Green's biggest and most missed contribution to ham radio (one of them at least) was that he was the only guy with a voice who took on the ARRL establishment and their knee-jerk conservative pathologies when it came to management of ham radio in the U.S. For example, back around 1980 when ARRL wanted CW testing forever, and acted as if the world would end if FCC did away with it, Wayne Green was calling for the elimination of CW tests in the FCC license examinations. Unfortunately no one listened to Wayne Green who was about 25 years ahead of everyone and the result is that we now have a hobby for retired old men.



Reply to a comment by : K5LXP on 2008-08-18

W8JI wrote: > 73 was always the public restroom wall of articles, > science, and technical information. Sounds like the Articles section of eHam. :-) Mark K5LXP Albuquerque, NM
Reply to a comment by : KY6R on 2008-08-18

W8JI: I had my first education in "safety" as it relates to radio when I bought a Hallicrafters S-38D. After that experience I realized that you have to read schematics and carefully consider whatever you are building / buying. Some of the best education also has come from reading the rebuttals to a technical article. But any article that makes people think is usually worth the time to read it. The stuff that is pure poppycock is at least entertaining - usually way more than the tripe they broadcast on TV - and even in most newspapers (hi hi).
Reply to a comment by : KA4HRE on 2008-08-17

I met Wayne when he came to speak at the Mobile Amateur Radio Club monthly meeting back in the early 90's. Nice guy - his talk was interesting if not a little far out. You have to give him credit for all of the work he accomplished, despite the fact that his moon opinion instantly discredits him on almost any intellectual level. Anyone with about $8,000 worth of gear can bounce their own laser off of the reflectometers that were left on the moon by the Apollo missions and prove it to themselves. He always made you think after you read one of his articles, but I have to put my foot down on this one. Denying the moon landings is like denying that microwaves can't cook food - too much evidence to support the truth.
K5LXP2008-08-18
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
W8JI wrote:

> 73 was always the public restroom wall of articles,
> science, and technical information.

Sounds like the Articles section of eHam. :-)

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

Reply to a comment by : KY6R on 2008-08-18

W8JI: I had my first education in "safety" as it relates to radio when I bought a Hallicrafters S-38D. After that experience I realized that you have to read schematics and carefully consider whatever you are building / buying. Some of the best education also has come from reading the rebuttals to a technical article. But any article that makes people think is usually worth the time to read it. The stuff that is pure poppycock is at least entertaining - usually way more than the tripe they broadcast on TV - and even in most newspapers (hi hi).
Reply to a comment by : KA4HRE on 2008-08-17

I met Wayne when he came to speak at the Mobile Amateur Radio Club monthly meeting back in the early 90's. Nice guy - his talk was interesting if not a little far out. You have to give him credit for all of the work he accomplished, despite the fact that his moon opinion instantly discredits him on almost any intellectual level. Anyone with about $8,000 worth of gear can bounce their own laser off of the reflectometers that were left on the moon by the Apollo missions and prove it to themselves. He always made you think after you read one of his articles, but I have to put my foot down on this one. Denying the moon landings is like denying that microwaves can't cook food - too much evidence to support the truth.
KY6R2008-08-18
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
W8JI:

I had my first education in "safety" as it relates to radio when I bought a Hallicrafters S-38D.

After that experience I realized that you have to read schematics and carefully consider whatever you are building / buying.

Some of the best education also has come from reading the rebuttals to a technical article. But any article that makes people think is usually worth the time to read it. The stuff that is pure poppycock is at least entertaining - usually way more than the tripe they broadcast on TV - and even in most newspapers (hi hi).
Reply to a comment by : KA4HRE on 2008-08-17

I met Wayne when he came to speak at the Mobile Amateur Radio Club monthly meeting back in the early 90's. Nice guy - his talk was interesting if not a little far out. You have to give him credit for all of the work he accomplished, despite the fact that his moon opinion instantly discredits him on almost any intellectual level. Anyone with about $8,000 worth of gear can bounce their own laser off of the reflectometers that were left on the moon by the Apollo missions and prove it to themselves. He always made you think after you read one of his articles, but I have to put my foot down on this one. Denying the moon landings is like denying that microwaves can't cook food - too much evidence to support the truth.
KA4HRE2008-08-17
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
I met Wayne when he came to speak at the Mobile Amateur Radio Club monthly meeting back in the early 90's. Nice guy - his talk was interesting if not a little far out. You have to give him credit for all of the work he accomplished, despite the fact that his moon opinion instantly discredits him on almost any intellectual level. Anyone with about $8,000 worth of gear can bounce their own laser off of the reflectometers that were left on the moon by the Apollo missions and prove it to themselves. He always made you think after you read one of his articles, but I have to put my foot down on this one. Denying the moon landings is like denying that microwaves can't cook food - too much evidence to support the truth.
KD6HUC2008-08-17
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
Wayne Green is a living legend in my eyes. Before I was even a ham I read 73,CQ,Popular Communications and sometimes even QST.if my pre-pubescent allowance could only afford one magazine a month, it was 73. Not even for the tech articles or the reviews and other miscellaneous, but for Waynes editorials in the first few pages. QST was and still is okay,but I remember it used to be subscription only and never really had the "goods" I was looking for. To this day,some of what Wayne taught me in his editorials helps me not just in my radio pursuit, but in my life pursuits. Good luck Wayne and I hope you really do live to be 120!
K6CRC2008-08-17
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
Wayne's live today, all over the place. Look at the stuff on cable TV, talk shows, and especially the Internet. If for no other reason, he keeps us on guard for things that our experience and education say are wrong, are probably wrong.

Unfortunately, most are too lazy to think out what they hear, and do even basic fact checking. For an example, map what you hear on the upcoming Presidential debates to what is even probable. You had better do it, as the general press will not.

That said, I loved reading 73 as a kid. I wasn't a ham, but was into electronics. I also liked Mad Magazine, so there it a connection there.
Reply to a comment by : W8JI on 2008-08-17

Not only was Wayne a real nutcase, 73 magazine never had technical editing or information checking at any level. It was a collection of whatever drivel was sent in. They would print almost anything. Some of the projects were horrible for safety, and well over half were full of significant technical errors. I remember one amplifier project that tied one side of the power line to the chassis (CQ has recently done the same) and another one that used several TV power transformers wired in series! 73 was always the public restroom wall of articles, science, and technical information. 73 Tom
Reply to a comment by : KV4BL on 2008-08-16

I'm glad to see that Wayne is still going strong! While he may come across as a bit eccentric at times, no one can accuse the man of not being interesting. I remember reading 73 magazine in the early 70's when I was a Novice. Wayne used to be a regular guest on Coast To Coast AM when Art Bell was hosting the show. Haven't heard him in years but I wish they'd have him on again. I hope he does see 120 years of life. With his determination, he just might do it!
W8JI2008-08-17
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
Not only was Wayne a real nutcase, 73 magazine never had technical editing or information checking at any level. It was a collection of whatever drivel was sent in. They would print almost anything.

Some of the projects were horrible for safety, and well over half were full of significant technical errors. I remember one amplifier project that tied one side of the power line to the chassis (CQ has recently done the same) and another one that used several TV power transformers wired in series!

73 was always the public restroom wall of articles, science, and technical information.

73 Tom
Reply to a comment by : KV4BL on 2008-08-16

I'm glad to see that Wayne is still going strong! While he may come across as a bit eccentric at times, no one can accuse the man of not being interesting. I remember reading 73 magazine in the early 70's when I was a Novice. Wayne used to be a regular guest on Coast To Coast AM when Art Bell was hosting the show. Haven't heard him in years but I wish they'd have him on again. I hope he does see 120 years of life. With his determination, he just might do it!
KL7IPV2008-08-16
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
I always liked the 73 magazine. I followed as he and Ken Sessions kept after the FM world to make the hand helds and repeaters that we now use regularly. I wondered why he "went over the side" in conspiracy theories and the like. I think that soured me on buying his magazines any more. I wanted to read about ham radio or computers NOT conspiracies. I am happy to hear he is well physically but I wonder about the other. Live long and prosper Wayne.
Frank
Reply to a comment by : K0RGR on 2008-08-16

I was always proud when my dad accused me of 'rampant Wayne Greenism' because I agreed with Wayne on lots of things. I have to admit, though, that in the later years, I would skip over the editorials to get to the articles in 73, some of which were a bit flaky, too. But Wayne did attract articles from some amazing folks. He's got his facts just backwards on the Apollo landings, though. The videos clearly show that dust thrown by the lunar rover's tires did not hang at all - it dropped instantly, which could only happen if there were no air. MythBusters is doing an episode on this soon - I hope they get it right. I wonder if the observatory at Mt. Hamilton still uses a telescope to transmit a laser beam to the reflector left by Apollo 11, and display the returning reflected beam like they did in the 70's.
K0RGR2008-08-16
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
I was always proud when my dad accused me of 'rampant Wayne Greenism' because I agreed with Wayne on lots of things.

I have to admit, though, that in the later years, I would skip over the editorials to get to the articles in 73, some of which were a bit flaky, too. But Wayne did attract articles from some amazing folks.

He's got his facts just backwards on the Apollo landings, though. The videos clearly show that dust thrown by the lunar rover's tires did not hang at all - it dropped instantly, which could only happen if there were no air.
MythBusters is doing an episode on this soon - I hope they get it right. I wonder if the observatory at Mt. Hamilton still uses a telescope to transmit a laser beam to the reflector left by Apollo 11, and display the returning reflected beam like they did in the 70's.
KB9RQZ2008-08-16
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
well I had thought he had gone SK I am glad to porven wrong he was never broing but I always found him very polite
K1CJS2008-08-16
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
He's a character with too many odd ideas--some think that some of them were too close to reality for comfort. Wayne is considered a nut by some and a certified genius by others. The only thing dead on is that he's certified--but I won't say more than that!
K7LA2008-08-16
a.k.a. Walking Eagle
He's a con man. Nothing more.
W8ZNX2008-08-16
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
Wayne
for a few years put out
one hell of a magazine

but
as with many inteligent people
he became a flake

last few years 73 magzine was full
of new age / conspiracy clap trap
the typograhy was horrid

more than once would look at the cover
to remind myself that i was indeed
reading 73 magazine

much as i admired Wayne Green
after he joined
NASA Moon missions hoax camp
he crossed over
and is now a flake, weard oh, kook

Wayne Green is in good company
many a genus
in their later years
became a flake / kook
Tesla and Isaac Newton
became cranks / flakes

mac



Reply to a comment by : KA5N on 2008-08-16

Before Wayne launched 73 Mag he was editor of CQ Mag. What a difference in a magazine! It was crammed with great articles with emphasis on building. 73 was super, particularly in the 1970's. But he just kept getting farther and farther out. I fully expect him to go into orbit someday. Good luck Wayne and don't eat too much raw chicken. (read some of his health pamphlets!) Allen
Reply to a comment by : K8YZK on 2008-08-16

Always liked 73 magazine, and yes Wayne sometimes in my opinion was out there, but liked the idea that he was always on the ARRL to make things right and to complain about them, and he is a Life Member. Talked to Wayne on 10 meter FM back in the early 90's, nice guy. Was sorry to see 73 fold, but when you are against the big guys things happen.
KA5N2008-08-16
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
Before Wayne launched 73 Mag he was editor of CQ Mag. What a difference in a magazine! It was crammed with great articles with emphasis on building. 73 was super, particularly in the 1970's. But he just kept getting farther and farther out. I fully expect him to go into orbit someday.

Good luck Wayne and don't eat too much raw chicken.
(read some of his health pamphlets!)
Allen
Reply to a comment by : K8YZK on 2008-08-16

Always liked 73 magazine, and yes Wayne sometimes in my opinion was out there, but liked the idea that he was always on the ARRL to make things right and to complain about them, and he is a Life Member. Talked to Wayne on 10 meter FM back in the early 90's, nice guy. Was sorry to see 73 fold, but when you are against the big guys things happen.
K8YZK2008-08-16
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
Always liked 73 magazine, and yes Wayne sometimes in my opinion was out there, but liked the idea that he was always on the ARRL to make things right and to complain about them, and he is a Life Member.
Talked to Wayne on 10 meter FM back in the early 90's, nice guy.
Was sorry to see 73 fold, but when you are against the big guys things happen.
W5HLH2008-08-16
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
"Then he abruptly sold out -- in 1983, to IDG (Computerworld's parent company) for $16 million -- and, he says, never looked back."

There is one huge problem with that statement----it is completely false. It's amazing that someone working for IDG didn't fact-check Wayne's claim.

Two decades ago, Gordon Williamson published a fascinating little book titled "See Wayne Run. Run, Wayne, Run." Gordon was in a good position to assess Wayne's "achievements." For one thing, he was married to Virginia Londoner----one of Wayne's ex-wives, and also the publisher of Byte Magazine----and thus knew where the bodies were buried. For another, Gordon was an attorney, and much of his book is based upon his digging into legal documents Wayne had generated.

Since Wayne's company was based in New Hampshire, a copy of the sales agreement with IDG was on file in the local county courthouse where Peterborough is located. And that sales agreement shows IDG paid Wayne exactly $10,000 upon closing of the sale and gave him a ten year promissory note for exactly $1 million. Even discounting the present value of a ten year $1 million promissory note, Wayne did well-----but it's a long way short of $16 million.

Gordon also reproduces the letter Wayne sent the judge in advance of his sentencing for his 1974 conviction for federal income tax fraud. In it, Wayne begs the judge for mercy because he suffered years of humiliation and shame because he has a small penis. No, I am not making this up; he actually made such a claim in a publicly available court document.

There is far, far more, and "See Wayne Run. Run, Wayne, Run" is probably the funniest ham radio-related book I have ever read. Used copies sometimes show up at hamfests; it has a bright yellow cover with a photo of Wayne in a Santa Claus beard.

Wayne is a colorful, interesting character, and 73 Magazine was fun to read and had plenty of construction projects, especially for antennas and QRP. But that doesn't change the fact Wayne is clearly a raving moonbat crazy. If you take anything he says at face value, you're just not very bright.
KY6R2008-08-16
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
Very interesting. I've been a Ham since 1973, and my fathers friend plunked an Altair computer down on our kitchen table and told me "Rich, you need to stop using tubes and switch to semiconductors".

That's when I decided to become a computer programmer instead of an Electronic Engineer.

I fondly remember BYTE and 73, CQ and QST. And who could forget Popular Science and Popular Mechanics?

I remember my teenage friends talking and dreaming technology - no doubt while reading some of Wayne's publications.
Reply to a comment by : AD7DB on 2008-08-16

Yeah well, good for him. 73 Magazine was great stuff back in the 60's and 70's. I'd love to get those old issues on CDROM (like you can for QST and HamRadio). If somebody wrote an article he'd publish it. How about a real telephone bluebox (in Feb 1975 as I recall), all public libraries had to pull that issue after it made the news. And a police radar jammer, supposedly legal because it was only operating within ham bands! But in recent years I think he's lost his marbles. Mind control over a FLY, to tell it to stop bothering you? (What if that backfires and the fly dictates policy to you instead?) Saying the moon landings were a hoax? And from that article in the link above, he's supposedly never been interested in making money?? Funny, that's not what he used to say almost monthly in his famous editorials.
Reply to a comment by : N4CQR on 2008-08-16

Great article. and Ditto the above. Also, I bet if you look hard enough around here you'll find a old tattered copy of Hot CoCo. C r a i g
Reply to a comment by : KV4BL on 2008-08-16

I'm glad to see that Wayne is still going strong! While he may come across as a bit eccentric at times, no one can accuse the man of not being interesting. I remember reading 73 magazine in the early 70's when I was a Novice. Wayne used to be a regular guest on Coast To Coast AM when Art Bell was hosting the show. Haven't heard him in years but I wish they'd have him on again. I hope he does see 120 years of life. With his determination, he just might do it!
AD7DB2008-08-16
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
Yeah well, good for him. 73 Magazine was great stuff back in the 60's and 70's. I'd love to get those old issues on CDROM (like you can for QST and HamRadio). If somebody wrote an article he'd publish it. How about a real telephone bluebox (in Feb 1975 as I recall), all public libraries had to pull that issue after it made the news. And a police radar jammer, supposedly legal because it was only operating within ham bands!

But in recent years I think he's lost his marbles. Mind control over a FLY, to tell it to stop bothering you? (What if that backfires and the fly dictates policy to you instead?) Saying the moon landings were a hoax? And from that article in the link above, he's supposedly never been interested in making money?? Funny, that's not what he used to say almost monthly in his famous editorials.
Reply to a comment by : N4CQR on 2008-08-16

Great article. and Ditto the above. Also, I bet if you look hard enough around here you'll find a old tattered copy of Hot CoCo. C r a i g
Reply to a comment by : KV4BL on 2008-08-16

I'm glad to see that Wayne is still going strong! While he may come across as a bit eccentric at times, no one can accuse the man of not being interesting. I remember reading 73 magazine in the early 70's when I was a Novice. Wayne used to be a regular guest on Coast To Coast AM when Art Bell was hosting the show. Haven't heard him in years but I wish they'd have him on again. I hope he does see 120 years of life. With his determination, he just might do it!
N4CQR2008-08-16
RE: Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission
Great article. and Ditto the above.

Also, I bet if you look hard enough around here you'll find a old tattered copy of Hot CoCo.

C r a i g
Reply to a comment by : KV4BL on 2008-08-16

I'm glad to see that Wayne is still going strong! While he may come across as a bit eccentric at times, no one can accuse the man of not being interesting. I remember reading 73 magazine in the early 70's when I was a Novice. Wayne used to be a regular guest on Coast To Coast AM when Art Bell was hosting the show. Haven't heard him in years but I wish they'd have him on again. I hope he does see 120 years of life. With his determination, he just might do it!
KV4BL2008-08-16
Tech Visionary Wayne Green: Still On a Mission:
I'm glad to see that Wayne is still going strong! While he may come across as a bit eccentric at times, no one can accuse the man of not being interesting. I remember reading 73 magazine in the early 70's when I was a Novice.
Wayne used to be a regular guest on Coast To Coast AM when Art Bell was hosting the show. Haven't heard him in years but I wish they'd have him on again.
I hope he does see 120 years of life. With his determination, he just might do it!