[Hammarlund] Re Ham, The Real Story

Wed, 17 Dec 2003 16:28:47 -0500

The term "ham" is simply taken from the theater world. Amateur actors (those
who did acting for no pay, as either a hobby or just a way to be seen and
heard...) were called "ham" actors, with the connotation that they're not as
good to say the least, as 'professional" or "real" actors. A  professional
actor who didn't meet expectations in a play, was said to be "hamming it
up".
This simply carried over Amateur Radio. Those who were involved with radio
communications as a hobby, were called hams, to differentiate them from the
professional radio/telegraph operators. However, even a pro could be so
inept, that he was a ham-fisted lid.
Lid.....  it's another story...

73, Meir WF2U
Landrum, SC

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Todd Bigelow - PS
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 3:53 PM
To: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Hammarlund] Re Ham, The Real Story

Duane Fischer, W8DBF wrote:

>
>Here is the exact post that appeared on this very list on Wednesday May 10,
2000
>from Kenneth Crips, W7ITC.
>[email protected]
>

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

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