[CW] Fw: [knowcodians] Our new no-code columnist

[Fred Adsit]

We have a new Sunday columnist replacing the old one, who was not a code =
fan either. This one - you be the judge.


Ham license a treasure for new columnist=20

February 08, 2004=20
By R. Mark Erickson=20
Contributing writer=20
CQ, CQ, this is AB2RQ, . . . CQ, CQ. Speaking these words (CQ means =
"calling any station") into a microphone, hoping for a distant reply, =
was a long time coming for me as ham radio operator.=20
I first got involved in amateur radio as an eighth-grader in New =
Hampshire by asking a friend why his dad was listening to a beeping and =
hissing radio. He was talking to someone in Europe using Morse code.=20
That was the stuff of legend; I became instantly fascinated.=20
The big science fair was coming up, his dad offered to help, and we =
decided to make a radio. We tore old radios apart with gusto. We found =
all the right parts and in no time Morse code sizzled from the speaker. =
The only thing between me and a license was the test.=20
I needed Morse code to pass, and I just couldn't get it. My hopes were =
dashed.=20
Fast forward nearly 20 years, and I found myself staring at a truck that =
would make a porcupine proud. It bristled with antennas, and I was full =
of questions. It was then I discovered from the proud owner of that =
radio equipment that I no longer needed code to get a license.=20
I had my ticket within the week.=20
I now advise the active Jamesville-DeWitt Amateur Radio Club, an ARRL =
Big Project Group. There is so much to do in amateur radio, we can =
hardly find the time.=20
Just like my students, I'm learning every day. And I'm going to share =
what I know with you as the new amateur radio writer for Stars magazine. =
Feel free to contact me. Send news or questions about amateur radio to =
R. Mark Erickson, AB2RQ, by e-mail at features@syracuse.com.=20

=A9 2004 The Post-Standard. Used with permission.
Syracuse, NY