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  • Jan Perkins, N6AW
    (formerly WN6PNB, 1965) In my own case the novice exam was administered at Scott Radio Supply in Long Beach.  A few weeks later, in May, 1965, WN6PNB arrived.  My electronics instructor in High School, Mr. McClenathan, gave me a Hammarlund SuperPro receiver (war surplus).  I found a schematic of it…
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  • John Shidler, NS5Z
    John thats a great story. I didn't realize you were so much older than me LOL.. glad to call you my Ham Pal. Where have the years gone.. we are old fat and gray now, but still tearing up the airwaves.... More...
    17.04.13 07:53
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Early-1950s 1953 Joe Montgomery, W1DWJ

Joe Montgomery, W1DWJ

(formerly, WN1DWJ, 1953)

I first became interested in Radio back in the early 1950's. My Aunt introduced me to an associate of hers who was a ham and he invited me to attend the "ElRay" amateur radio club on Lexington Street in Waltham, Massachusetts. I lived in Watertown, Mass at the time.

Soon I met the man who was to be my elmer. Bill Welsch of Cambridge, Mass. (W1SAD). He taught me the code and all I needed to know to pass my novice. That happened in 1953, I traveled to the Custom House (Build) in downtown Boston, Mass.

I was soon on the air (80 & 40 CW) with my new call (WN1DWJ)I had an old Millen exciter, but man it was fun. I remember one evening I was changing the 2 band coils from 40 to 80 and while pulling them out of their sockets together, my knee accidentally hit the key, needless to say I hit the wall. I learned my lesson that night.

Ham radio was all this young boy could think of I was 10 years old. Soon It was time to test for my general, and so another trip to the custom house and YES I passed the code and the theory and I was in 7th heaven.

I did let my license laps during the days of my early marriage and when the kids were growing up. I got the bug back some time later and reapplied to a new license. Well they gave me a new call (KA1UJG) Now let me ask you how could any self respecting ham endure UJG for long. I was fortunate to get my old call back through the vanity system.

Ham radio is a wonderful hobby, It taught me much as a young boy and still teaches me as a 66 year old duffer.

Thanks for letting me submit this story

Joe Montgomery

W1DWJ

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