[Boatanchors] Re The Day Two Meter AM Went Extinct!

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi All,

Alright you historians of all things radio, dust off your neuron paths and 
help the old blind dude out here.

The first time I was ever on the air was in 1961 using the call sign of Mark 
Decker, K8UZJ. Mark was a high school classmate of mine and had a General 
class ticket back then. Unfortunately for Ham Radio, and myself, Mark became 
a SK in 1996 at age fifty. He never knew I finally got my license, as I was 
licensed in August of 1998.

I sure wish I could find one of Mark's old K8UZJ QSL cards. What a treasure 
that would be to me.

We were using the infamous Heathkit Twoer and working two meter AM. As a 
tribute to my late friend, K8UZJ, a beautiful fully operational Heathkit 
Twoer with hand mike adorns a shelf in the Ham Shack.

I am wondering what year two meter AM was abandoned for FM or SSB? All the 
older rigs I have "seen" do not have an AM option on them.

I have tried, with no success, to find some crazy Ham locally to operate a 
little two meter AM with. It might be fun to see if the old lunchbox truly 
does rip, rattle and roar with that super het RX stage! I have heard stories 
that it tore up rigs a quarter to one half mile away! Generating QRM without 
ever keying the mike is funny!

I know there are quite a few Hams using six meter AM nowadays, but is anyone 
doing anything with two meter AM?

FYI: Regarding Mark R. Decker, K8UZJ. Mark was active on the air for at 
least forty-seven years prior to becoming a SK. I know he worked all modes 
and was into DX, but I do not know to what extent. I strongly suspect that 
some of you who were licensed from 1960 forward probably talked with Mark. 
At the time of his death he was living in Texas. I think Mark had been a 
resident there for quite a few years, as I think his son told me that Mark 
taught in the school system there.

Thanks for your assistance guys -

Duane Fischer, W8DBF/WPE8CXO
dfischer at usol.com
HHI: Halligan's Hallicrafters International
http://www.w9wze.net
HHRP: Historic Halligan Radio Project
hhrp.w9wze.net