Maryanns tidbits and talks

On occasion, you might find a survey entitled “What interested you about amateur

radio?” It’s often a multiple-choice survey, and the options to the question at hand

usually involve the following: A fascination with the technology of radio. A desire to

experiment with antennas. A drive to help my fellow man by participating in emergency

communications. A desire to increase my capabilities from CB/GMRS.

All of the above are legitimate reasons to become a ham radio operator. But, one of the

coolest things about ham radio is the fact that regardless of who you are or what your

background is, being a ham is the one true equalizer in our modern day life.

For example, once upon a time ago, there was a ham named Hussein. He had the call

JY1. He chatted with a new American ham who was impressed with Hussein’s call.

The young American said, “You must know some one pretty important to get that call.”

What our American kid didn’t know was that he was talking to King Hussein of Jordan.

Then there was the fellow from Arizona who’d set up an antenna on top of his office

building. He’d spend lunch periods contacting as many hams as he could. His name

was Barry, and his call was K7UGA. He was a US Senator – Barry Goldwater. And his

antenna was set up on top of the US Capitol Senate Office building. But to hams, he

was known as Barry,

The truly cool thing about ham radio is that you can talk to kings or senators a

housewife or a mechanic. All are equal, and we use their first names.

All hams are equal on the airwaves.

How cool is that!

73 NS7X