Off Subject: Ham Radio

[Dick Smith]

Congrats Bill on your General Class ticket!  Welcome to the world of 'ham'
radio.

Besides being able to fly on (uncrowded) 6m, operating a 'ham' radio station 
provides lots of enjoyment through interesting communication with others
around the country and world, as well as being able to provide public
service in times of need.

I've been a 'ham' for 51 yrs and have lived in many places around the US 
during which time I've operated my amateur radio station, meeting and became 
personal friends with many other 'hams' (and modelers, too). Most
noteably, while living in AZ (back in the 60's) I had the honor to meet 
Barry Goldwater and join him and 20 other hams who  operated his two 
personal amateur radio stations (at his home) on military amateur radio 
service (MARS) frequencies. Barry Goldwater's personal 'ham' call sign was 
K7UGA and his MARS station call sign was WA7UGA. This group of 'hams' 
operated his  two stations (one with 2 kw output and one had 4 kw,  p.e.p.) 
communicating with military personnel in S.E. Asia and running telephone 
patches (i.e.
phone calls via 'ham' radio) for/from them to their families here in the 
States ....but that's a story for another time. To me, though, it was very 
rewarding and time well spent.

Although I srtarted flying back in the 50's, I didn't fly use 6m initially, 
just the frequencies that were available then for model planes, etc. When 
the 'standard' RC frequencies started becoming  crowded, I started flying on 
6m where crowding didn't exist. I have never experienced any problem on 6m 
(e.g. intereference, freq conflicts, etc) but that is not to say others 
might sometime. This has been this way for over 25 yrs now. (I do still use 
72 occasionally).

Again, congrats and enjoy your new ticket!

73,        Dick,  W4KHV


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