Topband: 78th Anniversary of First Ham License

[George Dubovsky]

Well, congratulations Paul. That is one heck of an accomplishment, and one
I certainly aspire to. Not the getting sunk part... ;-)

73,

geo - n4ua

On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 8:41 PM, Paul Elliott <paab at valornet.com> wrote:

> Today I have the extremely good fortune to celebrate 78 years of being a
> licensed ham.  On a day late in January 1937, in Kingsville TX, I came home
> from school and found a small envelope waiting for me.  Inside was my
> license, dated January 19, 1937:  operating privileges Class C, station
> call
> sign W5GGV.  I was 14 years old at the time.
>
>
>
> My first rig, operating only on 40 m CW, consisted of a type 45 tube in a
> TNT circuit and a 2 tube receiver (regenerative detector and one stage of
> audio). Both were built from parts scavenged from junked Atwater Kent
> receivers.  My key was a piece of hacksaw blade.
>
>
>
> I did not start operating on 160 m until about 20 years ago.  On a 120' x
> 120' lot (very noisy electrically), in Hobbs, NM, I have been able to
> confirm 187 countries on 160 m.  I am still trying to come up with some way
> to improve my receiving antenna situation.
>
>
>
> Age, not surprisingly, has taken its toll but has not stopped me
> completely.
> Both sending and receiving speed have decreased to about 25 wpm-can still
> have fun with what I have left.
>
>
>
> My thanks to all those on this reflector who have provided help and
> instruction to me over the years. There are some very good people on this
> reflector.
>
>
>
> One small historical note:  I still have my original license although
> somewhat the worse for wear.  It got thoroughly soaked in the Pacific Ocean
> and stained  when the ship I was on in WW II was sunk by a kamikaze.
>
>
>
> 73 Paul W5DM
>
> _________________
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