[Fists] 23 FEB 07 a great day

[kiyoinc at attglobal.net]

7UN's message was positive and solution oriented and I appreciate that.

Here's what happened yesterday.

I was talking to a no-code-tech pal and mentioned that he'll be able to 
operate 10 meter SSB and CW on the Novice HF bands next month, "Better 
get a transmitting antenna up."

He said, "Feb 23 is my birthday.  I'll be 65 and it's great that the 
ARRL remembered me that way.  They do that when you're a member."

He was saying that he's a member and I'm not and if I would join, I 
wouldn't be borrowing his QSTs all the time.

He said, "I guess it's the FCC, not ARRL that's celebrating my birthday. 
  I should thank them for remembering me."

He began reminiscing.  He had wanted a ham ticket since he was 12. 
Studied and practiced but couldn't make it happen.  He went to the 
non-tech high school; the tech high school in his area had a ham club 
but his didn't.

Then there was the military, marriage, jobs.  Some places had ham clubs, 
some didn't.  The years went by and he just never managed to get that 
first ticket.

The magic of the original Novice was that it let you practice on the 
air.  It was fun.  It was real radio.

That eluded him all his life.  Then 3 years ago, I managed to jolly him 
into taking the tech, "There's some W3 VEC group that gives FREE exams. 
  They'll be at a hamfest near your house next month."

It took me another 3 or 4 months to get him talk on 2 meters.

The next Christmas, his son bought him an ICOM Pro-III, "you'll be able 
to use it when you get your general."

Hard to do when YOUR parents are aging and in and out of hospitals, when 
you're working 11 hour days, and trying to hold your life together.

Feb 23 will be a great day.  We'll get on 2 meters. We live about 80 
miles apart but there's a repeater on a mountain between us.  I think I 
can hit it.

Then I'll get him on 10 meter SSB.  Once we've established that circuit. 
  I'll send his call by putting the mike near my keyer.  "You recognize 
that?"

"here, I'll send it again."

de ah6gi/4