[Hammarlund] Re Ham, The Real Story

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

Duane Fischer, W8DBF wrote:

>	
>Here is the exact post that appeared on this very list on Wednesday May 10, 2000
>from Kenneth Crips, W7ITC. 	
>w7itc@juno.com				
>

Yep, this is the story I was referring to when speaking of the Harvard 
wireless club. Came across this information back in the early/mid 90s 
and referenced it as one of the possibilities. But I've also seen 
documentation as well as heard first-hand accounts from a former WU 
telegrapher (long since passed away and I'm not gonna dig him up to ask 
again) and others who stated that the term was used long before then and 
was simply applied/amended later when wireless/radio came along, 
bringing with it many 'ham-fisted' ops. We'd refer to them as wannabees 
today.

 It's certainly a good story though, with documentation to explain the 
station's choice of call letters. Whether it's the definitive, end-all 
explanation of where the term 'ham' came from and how it came to be 
applied in the amateur service isn't anymore clear now than it was when 
I first read the information some years back. I included it in my list 
because it seems like as good a story as any, and would also appear to 
have some documentation to back it up. Of course, without the actual 
documentation, it could all be another urban legend, too. While certain 
facts appear to be cited, much of the rest is based in opinion of what 
might have happened to make this story true. Ken had the right idea - 
the more of it that can be confirmed and backed up by historical record, 
the more believable and likely it becomes.

I still like it, and the timeframe is right. It's much more appealing 
than the earlier, apparently derrogatory meaning. Thanks for reposting 
this, Duane.

de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ