[Elecraft] Reaching across the chronological divide

[Edward R Cole]

Fascinating to read the stories how many of you got started in ham radio.

I'm six years younger than Jim W9VNE / VA3VNE.  As a youngster, space 
travel caught my interest (back when it was science fiction) and I 
developed an interest in science.  At age 12, I happened to discover 
a Zenith shortwave radio at a friend's house that showed "Police" 
bands.  We tried it out but heard nothing until tuning down to 4-mcs 
(Hertz was not yet in use) and found a bunch of guys talking.  1957 I 
built a 3-tube regen receiver and 1958 got my Novice license.  My 
aspirations switched to electronics and I pursued an EE degree in 
college a few years later.

Having only a Technician license "shoved" me into the VHF 
bands.  Space tech still attracted me and I was lucky to get a job 
working for NASA in 1971 at Goldstone Tracking Facility.  1979 I 
moved to Alaska for a different lifestyle and worked 30 years as a 
2-way radio tech.  Ham radio lead me to my profession and has 
remained my interest for over 60 years.  These days, I am well into 
doing eme on the microwaves.

Not sure how ham radio attracts folks these days.  But my guess a few 
of the STEM students are a good bet.

These days building small microprocessors as part of ham radio is a 
obvious entry.  Certainly a K3S or K4 is pretty high-end for young 
folks.  So there is the KX2/KX3 and a plethora of SDR's to get folks 
going (like my 3-tube regen and DX-35 did for me). Unfortunately, 
Heathkit is no more but then thru-hole soldering is long gone, as well.

Maybe future will see some youngsters building quantum radios??


73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
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