[Boatanchors] Elmer

[james.liles at comcast.net]

Well spoken John:

Kindest regards Jim K9AXN

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Rick, I was licensed in early 1958 and the term was being used in 1958. I 
was fortunate enough to live in a rural/city (oldest city in the Louisiana 
Purchase founded in 1714) and several Older Hams were Elmers to me. I will 
be forever grateful for all their assistance. I was tested for the Novice 
exam by Jimmy Moss, SK , who had been a Press (News) CW operator during WW2. 
If you have never watched a Press operator handle a Key or bug, you can't 
imagine the panic I experienced.Of course he slowed down from about 50WPM to 
5 WPM and I passed. But if anyone ever needed a nerve pill when it was over, 
it was I.


Elmers are very valuable, just not really used today because the FCC issues 
licenses that require less than a half days' study. The Elmer did more than 
assist you with study methods, he showed you a station, how tho set it up, 
operate it, and build elementary antennas to get you started.

Elmers were GENTLEMEN who lived and operated on the air as GENTLEMEN, and 
their examples, as GENTLEMEN, turned out young Hams who were GENTLEMEN and 
operated their stations in a gentlemanly manner.

A side note, as past President for three years, of our local club, and? 
presently a Board Member, a local CB operator was recently referred to me 
with a "BURNING DESIRE" to become a licensed Ham. He even wanted to buy my 
presently vacant 130 foot tower. He indicated that he was already having 
problems in his subdivision because of interference, especially when talking 
to the West Coast. After I talked to him for a while, I told him the I would 
help him any way I could, but he would have to learn the Ham Lingo and set 
aside much of the CB operating procedures and and operating practices. I 
really felt that he wanted to become a Ham and I offered him all the 
assistance I could give. The following week our Club had its' monthly 
meeting so I invited him to attend and meet more Hams who would welcome him 
and assist him to get started in Ham Radio. He had told me that he is a self 
employed plumber, so I thought he would be able to attend. He replied 
"thanks
for calling, but I will not be able to make it because of my work".

Since he lives less than one mile away and has not called or returned for a 
visit and radio talk, I have decided that he had been watching my vacant 
tower and wanted to acquire it to put up a put up a huge antenna to go 
behind "his kicker".

I know this is off topic, but I think Elmers deserve most of the credit for 
the existence of our hobby and reputation of GENTLEMEN and LADY (my wife is 
Barbara, K5MOL licensed 51 years) Amateur Radio Operators.

I hope that my input has not been too boring, If so, I apologize!! 73, John, 
K5PGW?