(formerly WN4GGH, 1966)
I got my novice ticket during the summer of 1966. I had a school chum whose father was a ham (WA4ICB - Who Alls 4 (for) Ice Cold Beer), and had the complete Collins setup, all tho I didn't understand the value of then. I found out the local YMCA was holding a Novice class that summer, so I took it.
I then heard of another school buddy who was selling some ham gear, so I bought it. That's what you see in the picture: a Hallicrafters SX-99, Johnson Viking Challenger and a Knight Kit Star Roamer. Wish I still had them. Notice that the speaker for the receiver is bigger than the receiver. Also notice the Heathkit Twoer. I am holding the mike to it, made some sort of stand for it. I still have the Speed-X straight key I used then.
The coax I had came also came from Herb, some military stuff he said it was. It had two inner conductors which I just twisted together, and I think it had a double braid shield. I remember loading up the transmitter into a 100 watt light bulb, and was afraid to load up past 75 watts for fear of being caught by the FCC. When my ticket came in the mail, I called WA4ICB (Herb) up, and said let's get on the air. So we did. He kept going faster and faster, I had to call him on the phone and tell him to slow down. Never forget that.
Dave, NJ4F
