[Boatanchors] OLd radios, grumbles and a glass of wine

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 9/27/05, rayfri <rayfri at highstream.net> wrote:
> I would add a few more questions....
> WHO can load a transmitter into a set of bed springs or a window
> screen?   Or a long length of barbed wire fence?

Yep, did the bedsprings years ago with one of those Murch tuners with
some other guys after I doubted it would work. I was wrong, and it was
fun too! Also a wire coat hanger, radiator, and a few other items.

What about working someone with a 100 watt bulb/dummy load?

> WHO can kluge up a key for cw and make a contact when all other things fail?

Can't remember all of the things I've used for keys over the years,
generally in fun just to see if it could be done. Using battery
powered buzzers to actual transmitters. Car keys were one of my
favorites.

 MacGyver was late on the radio scene.

> WHO has or is willing to climb to the top of the highest peak around to
> stick a two meter ground plane
> into the ground and make a two meter contact without a repeater?

Learned mountain topping from some of the best in the northest, like
W1AIM and K1LPS (both have been on the cover of QST in recent years
while doing this stuff). Biggest hoot was calling W1AIM with a 2m HT
from atop Hunger Mountain in Middlesex VT and having him come out onto
the road by his house where he flashed a mirror some 30-40 miles - and
everyone on the mountain that afternoon saw it. Also had fun working
phone patches around the state from mountains too, before the cell
phone hit the scene. Best one was flying in circles over my
girlfriend's dorm with a friend at 1000 feet or so, and calling via
the W1KOO patch.

  And,
> at the same time, WHO can erect a 40
> foot pole on top of that mountain, hand wind a loading coil on an
> oatmeal box and make contacts on 80 and 40 meters?

Many places over the years, some I'd just as soon forget. Haven't done
the oatmeal box yet, although George Rancourt did give me one of those
nifty slides with the spring loaded ball bearing, to use on a crystal
set coil. Someday...

> WHO knows what the heck a cold 807 is?

Or a cold 813 (40 ouncer)?

But then I'm 44, and most of the guys are older than me. I do see
younger faces at the hamfests. I think there's plenty of hope and
opportunity, if we can offer something different than what they're
used to having already(internet, cell phones, iPods), without a
license. Enter the magic of 'radio'....

~ Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ