More Hams

BTW, A. J., the video was great! Sometimes, today, there are even those discourteous operators (we hams call them "lids") who find sport in interfereing with those who are conducting nets, both practice and real-time. These "lids" are often sought out, prosecuted and sometimes incarcerated. Unfortunately, these are the ones the public hears about, often not of the real heros, those who actually come to the aid of others...and the public paints us with the same broad brush.

Real drama can STILL be heard on some ham bands, and operators from far-away lands are heard daily. There is still a romance in ham radio, even though the age has brought us instant satisfaction with cell phones, Internet and texting...but there's something about being off in a corner, talking with someone (or listening to others talk) between far countries, getting the REAL info on what it's like "over there", etc.; there's nothing like kicking on that old tube radio, kill all the lights in the house and tune around, listening for who-knows-where.

Also, if you happen to hear a ham operating, you can get a verification from him (we call them QSL cards) by sending them a letter, explain to the operator that your a shortwave listener (which you are, since you're listening in that band spectrum!), give the operator times, date(s) frequencies and some details and include a self-addressed stamped envelope if within the U.S.A., or a couple of dollars if outside the country, and they will usually surprise you with a nice card and sometimes other little trinkets! If you hear someone interesting, write down their callsign and go to www.qrz.com and put it in the search box in the upper left-hand corner, then hit "search"...it'll give you their mailing address and possibly a bio on that person, as well.

Yes, the video was right on the mark, A. J.; there are still those out there that give of their time, talents and equipment to help others in need, in so many ways too numerous to mention here...plus, a little "theater for the mind", if one can tear themselves away from the TV...and "they" say ham radio has no place in this world! Bud Stacey, Extra Class ham KC4HGH, near Mobile, AL