[Hallicrafters] W5JT Co-Anchor Today For Net

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

It was absolutely terrific to meet W5JT, Jim Thayer, today in person. He and I
have talked by the means of radio waves, electronic mail and the telephone for
several years now. He was in Frankenmuth, a very small specialized German
village about 20 miles due north and a little west of my QTH for a family
reunion. Some of you may know that Frankenmuth is famous throughout the USA, and
the world, for its chicken dinners and Bronners, the largest Christmas store in
the world. It is Christmas every day of the year there.  	
	
After getting himself properly lost, he called the blind man to help him figure
out where he was. Fortunately I knew the location from his description and
guided him safely to the home of the HCI Nets, Frogzilla and that cursed
Opossum. 		
	
He got to hear the vintage sound, but on a solid state system driving the
vintage 1974 James B. Lansing speakers ceiling mounted and directed to fire the
sweet sound at the listener's ears sitting on the couch at the opposite end of
my living room. Unfortunately, time did not permit us to enjoy the H.H. Scott
gear with the Teac A-5500 and Revox 77B tape decks too. Perhaps next trip.   	
	
Jim did see the vintage and modern radio gear as he wandered around the Ham
shack/SW Listening Post inspecting the areas I had failed to dust. He spotted
the two Minerva Tropic Master WW2 morale receivers, one the military model and
the other the civilian model. Inspected the SX-110 electrically rebuilt by
KO6BB, Phil Atchley, saw my grandson's S-120 and the SX-117 too. He also noticed
the autographed photo of Senator/Astronaut John Glenn and the personally signed
photo from the crew of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon on July 20, 1969. Jim
also saw the W9WZE license of the late William Halligan, Sr., the founder of the
Hallicrafters Co., of which I am the Trustee.      	

	He rolled a padded co-anchor chair up beside me and helped host the HCI 20
meter Net today. It was the first time he had been able to hear many of the
stations live without a relay. We were lucky to hear anyone today with the Field
Day stations on either side of the frequency. Especially distressing since the
guy on 14.293 was very rude and ignored any request from anyone to please QSY
due to a Net in progress. He was not there when the Net started -  But as
happens all too often, Contestors simply do not care about courtesy or mutual
co-existance, anything to get that precious piece of paper. I am going to
suggest to the ARRL that they save our membership dollars by printing these
certificates on toilet paper purchased in bulk. The smaller size would save on
ink, postage and it could serve more than one use! (patented Fischer smirk)    	
	
Jim is every bit as much of a gentleman as he appeared to be over the years. A
terrific person and a credit to the Ham radio hobby. I feel among the fortunate
to have had the opportunity to meet him and fellowship for several hours. 		
	
Jim saw the antenna farm and even the bits of paper left from the Opossum
ripping apart a McDonalds french fry bag left by my grandson in the trash. Jim
also got to see the tower where the neighbors tore down the forty and eighty
meter antennas with the quadwheeler. Having seen the geography first hand, and
location of the forty foot tower in the woods, he was stunned how anyone could
be so stupid. A relative of the pesky Opossum?	
	
If you should have the opportunity to meet W5JT, take it. You will not be
disappointed. A first class person, Ham and American citizen. I am looking
forward to his next visit this Fall. 	
	
Duane W8DBF