Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars, boats and outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams on the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios that fit in their pockets.

Hams exchange pictures of each other using television. Some also like to work on electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A few pioneers in Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy today. There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on space shuttle missions and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space!

Using even the simplest of radio setups and antennas, amateurs communicate with each other for fun, during emergencies, and even in contests. They handle messages for police and other public service organizations during all kinds of emergencies including hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and floods, motorist accidents, fires and chemical spills, and search and rescues. They help organize parades and other local events... the list goes on and on.

The above was adapted from "Hello Radio " on the ARRL web site. Give them a visit... there's lots of interesting stuff there.

Last September Ernie, K9BFU was working the Texas QSO Party on 20 Meter phone and one of the stations he worked was W5RQ, John McColly, from Georgetown TX. Ernie sent off a QSL card (as everyone should), and got this message from W5RQ after he had received Ernie's card:

^Ernie:

^{Thanks for the QSO and QSL for our QSO in the Texas QSO Party. I notice your QTH as Addison and that you are a member of the York Radio Club.}

^{That's where I got my start in ham radio, Ernie! Three of us were students at York Community High School, and we received three of the first Novice tickets the FCC issued after they began offering that license class in July, 1951: John Schaefer - WN9OKQ, Larry Shaw, WN9OKI, and I - WN9OIJ. John is currently retired in California as W9OKQ; Larry is retired from Ameritech and living in Sugar Grove, IL as W9OKI, and I'm in central Texas as W5RQ  (following stints as W9OIJ, WB2LZF and WA5TOS). By the way, Larry is very active in the Fox River ARC, and I am an active member of our Williamson County ARC and the Central Texas DX and Contest Club (CTDXCC).}

^{We were all members of the York Radio Club, and I have fond memories of our Field Days at the home of Homer Barnes (I forget his call). Homer had a large farm field outside of Barrington (which is all homes now, HI); and we operated 6A, with three stations on CW and three on Phone.}

^{I don't know if any of the current YRC members would remember us - they'd have to be in their seventies or older, HI! Anyway, your QSL brings back lots of happy memories of my early days in our wonderful hobby!}

^{73, John McColly, W5RQ}

How cool is that! Thanks, Ernie, for sharing this with us.

We received the following message from Garrick Hess, WD9FBL:

Hello YRC,

I find myself in need of assistance in the realm of tower removal. It seems that as I have become older certain abilities no longer exist, ie. tower climbing. I have a 50' Rohn 25 guyed tower with three boomers, 2M, 1.25M, and 70Cm, two 50' lengths of 7/8" hardline, Ham 4 rotator and misc. bits of antenna parts, all of which can be had in exchange for the SAFE removal of this tower.

I hope someone in YRC will be interested in this task. I can be contacted in the evening at 708-544-6810, or by e-mail.

Thanks for any assistance.
73

Please contact Mr. Hess directly if you can help.