[ADXA] SWLing

[patw5vy at gmail.com]

The discussion about SWLing brings back memories.  My dad's bachelor brother
lived with us and worked on the farm.  He was a ham in the '20s and held a
2nd Class Radiotelegraphers license from the Interstate Commerce
Commission..pre Telecommunications act of 1934 and creation of the FCC. He
worked as the radio officer on merchant ships for about five years in the
late 20s.   I was curious about radio and he gave me lot of insight and
assistance with my crystal set and adding tuning components.  The local TV
repairman let me have carcasses of old radios for parts.  

 

One of my older sisters seemed to have a different beau bring her and her
stuff home from U of A at the end of each school year. One fellow, Sam,
K5VVO, noticed my interest in SWLing. I had a crude home brewed regen Rx
built on a piece of 1 x 10. Sam lived in Little Rock and next time he came
to Perryville he brought a Hallicrafters S20R "Sky Champion" for my use
along with a 1957 ARRL Handbook.  It had a BFO and was a quantum leap from
my regen.  I think that was the summer of 1961 and I was 13. My family were
cattle farmers and I had lots of room and trees for Skyhooks. My dad was
friends with Luther, W5TLC, who was postmaster in Casa.  Luther had been a
Navy Radioman in WW2.  He invited my dad and I to visit in his shack.  He
had a nice Hallicrafers station..SX1?? and HT32.  Luther was a great CW op
and gave me lots of encouragement. He said he would give me the Novice test
when I was ready.  I got some code practice records and then started
listening to W1AW code practice runs. The local State Trooper, Hank,
K5APA/W5APA (SK) was also a great Elmer.  I received my Novice license in
1964 and got my picture in the Perry County News!  Hank helped me build a
40M TX with a 6AG7 and 807.    Ham Radio helped guide me to a career in
telecommunications engineering with lots of interesting projects.   There
are always new things to learn and explore.  Great hobby.

 

Did any of you SWLs ever hear of the International Short Wave League?  I
joined when I was in Scotland in the Navy.  They published a monthly
newsletter.The Monitor.  It was a blend of amateur radio DX news and
International BC info.  I had a stack of "Monitors" but they have been lost
over the years.  I checked and was surprised to find ISWL is still on the go
https://iswl.org.uk/  

 

73,

Pat, W5VY / WA5KAK / WN5KAK

 

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