March 2000 QST

ally didn’t want to spend the kind of moneythat a whiz-bang radio required. What to do?I strolled past the Arizona ScQRPions’booth (another very active QRP group) andinquired as to the whereabouts of DaveBenson. Bertie Hightower, N7XJW, said thatDave hadn’t arrived yet. Sensing the presenceof a newbie, Bertie went on to tell me aboutthe ScQRPions and QRP in general. She alsoprovided information about the QRP-L e-maillist and recommended that I join it. A wholenew world was opening for me!By the time I located Dave Benson, I waspsyched. I purchased a DSW-40 kit on thespot. The radio went together with only oneminor problem, which I was able to diagnoseand correct with a little assistance fromDave. Making long-distance contacts withonly a couple of watts was pure excitement!After finishing the DSW-40 I realizedthat I enjoyed building my own radios. Iimmediately developed a voracious appetitefor small projects. It was as though Iwas reliving my engineering days atAuburn, except that this was much more enjoyablethan most of my EE labs! I sooncompleted an Emtech ZM-2 tuner, an OakHills Research wattmeter and a small signalgenerator. Not only were the projectsfun, each one left me with an enormoussense of accomplishment.My operating skills left a lot to be desired,but I was determined to improve. Fortunately,the QRPers have a solution. Doc Lindsey,K0EVZ, has put together a Novice/TechnicianPlus HF “foxhunt” for us newbies. Wesimply post a note to the QRP-L reflector andlet others know when we’ll be on the air.My first evening as the fox began on anembarrassing note. At the appointed hour andon the advertised frequency, I called “CQFox.” To my surprise, at least five stationsreplied. I was so nervous that I instantly froze!For eight minutes I simply sat there, startingat the radio in total confusion. Finally, oneoperator managed to coax me out of my “foxhole”and engaged me in the proper exchangeof information. Within a short period I hadworked eight other “hounds” and my nervousnesshad eased significantly.What’s next? Besides working moresatellites (I’m eagerly awaiting Phase 3D),I’ll keep looking for more QRP kits to build.The excitement hasn’t left Amateur Radio.On the contrary, it is alive and well—if youknow where to look!—Gerry Elam,K1LRO/7, Phoenix, ArizonaHEROES After reading the interesting editorial“Amateur Radio Heroes” in the December1999 QST, I would like to nominate my hero:W0CVG—Nep Nepple, who I heard on mycrystal set in the mid 1950s. Listening tohis QSOs inspired me to get my ham licenseand pursue a career in electronics.The interesting part of this story is thatI never met Nep, although I eventually didlocate his house in Colorado Springs, abouta mile from mine. As a 10 year-old boy Inever had enough nerve to go up to the doorand knock, so he never knew of his influenceon me and I never thanked him untilnow: Thanks Nep.If you think your actions on the air do notinfluence anyone else, think again. You neverknow who might be listening!—Ted Allison,N0NKG, Colorado Springs, Colorado One of my Amateur Radio heroes becamea Silent Key last this past December:Paul Wilson, W4HHK. He had battledpneumonia in the late summer, then suffereda massive heart attack in October. Hewas recovering in the hospital when thefinal heart attack took his life.Paul was a tireless supporter of activityabove 50 MHz. Last summer I went on amicrowave DXpedition and was pleased towork Paul on 10 GHz, giving him three newstates and four new grids, completing hisVUCC. Even with his frail health Paul wasconquering new bands. Before his hospitalizationhe was active on 24 GHz and wasabout to get on 47 GHz.Paul’s life should inspire every amateurto strive for new experiences, regardless ofage or health. Paul was a gentleman and apowerful example for me. I will misshim.—Joel M. Harrison, W5ZN, ARRL VicePresident, Judsonia, Arkansas The December 1999 editorial asked formore nominations for Amateur Radio heroes.Here are two of mine.E. O. Seiler, W2EB, ex 8PK. “Yoe” wasa pioneer ham, first licensed in the spark era.He was a cutting edge experimenter whoplayed with 5 and 2.5 meters in the mid ‘30swhen these were considered esoteric bands.He also helped introduce the amateur worldto SSB in the late ‘40s. Most notably, he inventedthe Seiler Oscillator, first publishedin QST in December 1941. While he originallyregarded his design as a variation onthe Colpitts, the Seiler Oscillator has sincebeen recognized as a unique invention.Another somewhat unsung hero isClarence Tuska, co-founder of the ARRL.While the greater share of the credit rightfullygoes to Hiram Percy Maxim, it wasTuska’s initial assistance that inspiredMaxim and helped him get the League going.Tuska was also one of the few hams whowas active during World War II as organizerand chief instructor at the Army’s radiotraining school at Ellington Field, Texas.There are doubtlessly thousands of namesdeserving honorable mention for their contributions.It’s one of the benefits of a hobbythat encourages experimentation and innovation.May it ever be so.—John S. Ward,KE2ST, East Bloomfield, New YorkMarch 2000 25