[AMRadio] Fwd: Elmer

[Mike Sawyer]

>From: "D. Chester" <k4kyv at charter.net>
>
>To me, (elmer) always had a dumb-sounding ring to it.
<<<<<

The term "ham" itself was originally a derogatory term, referring to
an incompetent who didn't know or care what he was doing... despite
the misimpression of much of today's crop of hams that "HAM" is some
kind of acronym that should be in all caps (it's not... we are hams, not 
HAMs).

This is all part of ham radio tradition, that goes back decades prior
to the 70's and 80's, like Wouff Hong and Rettysnitch (and yes, the
"E" word), that few of today's refugees from 11 meters ever learned
or cared about, and is gradually being forgotten.
______________________________________________________________
Hmmmmmmm,
    When I hear the name 'Elmer,' I conjure up a vision of an sort of crusty 
sod that know more than his appearance lets on, (Ashtabula Bill comes to 
mind). As for the word 'HAM,' I always felt that it was derived from the 
term of that as a/an (not so good) amateur actor. "Haminn' it up for the 
camera....." is what I can recall hearing and felt that the term was just 
'heaped' on us because we were amateurs, (Some better than others).
My Grid-leak's worth.
Mod-U-Lator,
Mike(y)
W3SLK