[Elecraft] Positive Recognition (WAS: Hate the word "ham")

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Just a few days ago XYL Cobi and I moved to a new QTH on the Oregon Coast -
a small community of homes on the hillside directly above the beach.

While our home is well above the tsunami danger line, the only way into our
out of this general area is two-lane US highway 101 running along the beach,
barely twenty feet above high tide in many places. It was clear to us that
storm surges as well as tsunamis could easily disrupt use of the road,
perhaps for several days or even weeks in the event of a serious
earthquake/tsunami event. 

We are in a community of perhaps 100 homes on fairly large wooded lots. I've
lived in such communities before and know to be prepared to get along
without outside contact for food, water or perhaps even power for days at a
time if there's a major storm or other problem. But I wasn't really prepared
for the level of organization here. Today I had a visit from a neighbor. The
community was going through simulated emergency exercise. In an emergency
volunteer teams check with every home to see if anyone is sick, injured or
otherwise needs assistance. Radio communications links are set up with
county disaster centers and the US Coast Guard. Today a Coast Guard
helicopter did a basket pickup from a clearing nearby - what they'd do if
someone needed emergency aid when the road was cut (Now there's an
"E-ticket" ride I'd like to take!). 

While we talked, I made a "magic comment" that caused my visitor, Mike, to
light up all smiles and he asked if I'd be willing to work with the
community providing what they consider an absolutely essential service. He
assured me that all of my neighbors would be forever in my debt if I could
participate. Of course I told him I would. 

The "magic comment" I made was this: 

"I'm a Ham." 

Ron AC7AC