(formerly WN9FNX, 1954)
In 1953 while “fixing TV’s” and putting up TV antennas, I was in High School and was introduced to Amateur Radio by W9QVE (SK). I was very excited, read the license manuals, learned CW on a paper tape practice machine and got my Novice License 6 months later in April 1954. (WN9FNX) I had to go to downtown Chicago to the FCC office and was frightened. By October 1954, I passed my Advanced and General class exams. My parents went to a great expense to get me a Hallicrafters SX-71 and I started building Heathkits and buying war surplus “junk” in Chicago. My first DX from the Chicago area was a W0 in Iowa. Real “DX” to California followed shortly. At that time, I met the following teen agers.
WN9FFX, WN9FGX, and WN9FPZ, I was WN9FNX. Today all 4 of us have completed successful careers in Electronics, married, have grandchildren and I am still in communication with each of them, with a few personal visits included. The excitement of my novice days was unforgettable as operating a radio was something very special to my family and neighbors (TVI). Communicating across the country by radio was in those days was“spectacular”. My first contacts to Europe were “unbelievable” to others, including the fact that I knew Morse Code.
The above 4 are now, AA9DH, W8MHW, W9FPZ and W5SQA, all enjoying retirement but also still enjoying ham radio.
73, Bob Linker W5SQA
