[ADXA] SWLing - Had not heard of the ISWL and newsletter..

[HamOP]

Great summary, Pat! Yep, those 78RPM code records, as I mentioned also. I finished learning the data on them in 3-4 days in early 1957 instead of the recommended 2+ weeks. And the ARRL weekly CW various WPM practice sessions worked well for me, turned in the copied script immediately, as I am sure you did. Got the certificate and endorsements quickly; 73 and have a great weekend on RTTY..
San


Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: patw5vy at gmail.com
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2020 10:40 AM
To: adxa at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [ADXA] SWLing

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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