[Boatanchors] Query about 73 & 88

[manualman at juno.com]

According to the ARRL, the term "Elmer" first appeared  in Rod Newkirk's
("Silent Key" November 19, 2012) March 1971 QST column called "How's DX".

You can read it all here or copy the entire link to your browser (watch
for possible 2nd line wrap around): 
http://www.arrl.org/news/former-how-s-dx-conductor-rod-newkirk-w9brd-sk
The term "Elmer" became the term for "the unsung fathers of ham radio".
The term "Elmer" doesn't refer to any one specifically named Elmer.

Pete, wa2cwa

On Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:55:14 -0500 Al Klase <ark at ar88.net> writes:
> Richard,
> 
> Like you, I never heard the term Elmer until about 20 years ago, and 
> 
> I've read a lot of old QST's.  I kinda wish the guy who started this 
> 
> would explain himself.
> 
> My best guess is that it refers to Elmer E. Bucher , who was 
> American 
> Marconi's chief instructor in the Pre-RCA era, and later served a 
> similar role under David Sarnoff.  He wrote book like "Practical 
> Wireless Telegraphy" and "Wireless Experimenter's Manual" which are 
> 
> classics.  Search Google Books for Elmer E. Bucher
> 
> Al
> 
> 
> On 12/11/2012 12:19 PM, Richard Knoppow wrote:
> >   ...........  BTW, a puzzle to me is the term "elmer" to mean 
> mentor. 
> > I never saw or heard this until about twenty years ago. You will 
> not 
> > find it in any old handbook or list of ham radio slang.  I wonder 
> 
> > where it originated and who "Elmer" was. ........
> 
> -- 
> Al Klase - N3FRQ
> Jersey City, NJ
> http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/
> 
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