Ham radio — 1994
I must chronicle the events that led to my interest in amateur radio. Scouting introduced me to most of my hobbies, and ham radio is no exception. As I became interested in On Target (the annual event where we would hike to mountain peaks and signal other Scout groups with aiming mirrors), I readily noticed that the most successful groups and those having the most FUN were those groups that had ham radio operators with them on the peaks. I was envious as I watched these ‘hams’ converse back and forth with ease, using radio waves. I didn’t act upon that envy until we had moved to Provo and we hired a wonderful nurse anesthetist at the Provo Surgical Center who was very active in amateur radio. I invited him to go with us on our On Target day in 1993, and that is when the ham bug really bit me. My friend had an impressive array of radios, antennas, power sources, and we had a great time talking to hams all over the Wasatch Front as we made mirror contact as well. It was shortly thereafter that I decided to work for my basic ham radio license (Technician class) so that I would have more fun with On Target each year. I studied for and passed my Technician Class (no Morse Code required) tests in March 1994 and received my first call sign, KC7EUP. I was really delighted. I bought a Yaesu handheld 2-meter transceiver and really began to have fun talking on the local repeaters. I soon became very interested in packet radio (combining computers and radios) and soon was busy at packet. I enjoyed my limited privileges with my initial license, but, as Susan had predicted, I soon found myself wanting more privileges and greater challenges in the hobby. I began studying Morse Code and before long was ready to sit for my 5 wpm test. I successfully passed that test in October of 1995, as well as passing the written test for the General Class license. This gave me Morse Code (CW) privileges on four of the high-frequency bands. I had by this time purchased a high-frequency radio. I found a good deal on a used vertical high-frequency antenna as well, and thus had a great system to start sending out my CW signals. I soon approached Susan about the possibility of building a ham shack in one corner of our basement. She was amenable to the idea as long as certain standards were met, to which I readily agreed and I approached this great challenge with alacrity. It took me 3 months to build the “shack” and I really had fun doing it. It was also fun to have my little boys down in the basement with me pounding nails and sawing boards. Believe it or not, it even passed the Provo City building inspection!
My first Morse Code contacts were very tentative and shaky, but eventually I gained more confidence and really grew to enjoy CW contacts. I became very anxious to obtain high-frequency privileges for voice contacts, which required passing a 13-wpm Morse Code test and passing a very difficult Advanced class written test. I practiced Morse Code every day from October 15 to December 20, and also studied for the written test. Many times I got discouraged because the CW became extremely difficult as I got up to the 10-wpm speed. I persisted however and went to the Testing center on December 20 with a squadron of butterflies in my stomach. I took the Advanced written test first and passed it handily, getting 47 out of 50 correct. I was delighted but knew that the greater challenge was yet ahead, because passing the General and Advanced written tests would be of no advantage to me unless I passed the Morse Code test at 13 words per minute. After a few minutes to compose myself, I went in to take the CW portion. There was only 1 other person taking the 13 wpm test, an 11 year-old boy. The examiner gave us a practice run and I was sure he had sent us code at 16 or 17 wpm because it seemed much faster than the 13 wpm I had been practicing on for several weeks. He assured me, however, that it was indeed 13 wpm. This unnerved me and I did poorly on the actual test. I could only answer 5 out of 10 questions correctly and I missed my string of 65 error-free letters by one letter. I was discouraged, especially as I contemplated having to live under the pressure of taking the test again in a month or two. I heard another gentleman ask the examiner if he could retake the 20 wpm test that evening, and he said he would be willing if there was time. I mentioned to him that I would like to retake the 13 wpm test also, if time would allow. During the 30 minutes that I waited to retake the test, I tried to encourage myself and buoy myself up, remembering how long and hard I had worked on the Morse Code. I also received some encouragement and advice from 2 volunteer examiners that I already knew. I retook the CW test and concentrated harder than I ever had before. Wonder of wonders, I answered 9 out of 10 questions correctly and PASSED! When the examiner told me, I let out a warhoop and spontaneously jumped up and hugged the examiner. He probably thought I had gone mad. What an exhilarating feeling. I was so thrilled. On January 18, 1996, I received word of my new 2X2 call, KJ7TO.
I have enjoyed immensely this wonderful hobby. It has been fun to share this hobby with Scouts on “Jamboree-On-The-Air” days, and I have enjoyed ham radio contesting and Field Day activities. In 1997, the FCC decided to let ham radio operators apply for “vanity” call signs, and I was thrilled beyond belief to receive the call “K7BYU”. I proudly display that call sign on my car license plates.
Click here to return to the Personal Life Journal index