From KA6KBC
4/21/2008 4:34:00 PM (2 comments) 
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I thought this would be an interesting topic.
So who got you started in this Ham Radio Stuff ? For me I had two important elmers in my Ham Radio Life.
My dad Jack (WB6CGN - SK) got his Tech Ticket in the early 60's. He was very interested in early VHF and built equipment and Antennas for 146MHZ, 220MHZ, 433MHZ. As a kid it was the coolest thing. He was also involved in Fast Scan TV in the early 70's. He later became interested in HF and CW - Where he made a number of contacts and got very good at the code. He got me started in electronics in 5th grade and loaned me an old WWII Receiver for SWL. He later helped me build my own HF equipment once I got my ticket. He also helped me with my College Senior Project (146MHZ to 28MHZ Transverter). He was a Great Dad and a Smart RF Tech.
My second Elmer was one of my High School Teachers. His name is Lou Malory (WA6DVK) still alive and well in his eighties. He headed a program at Fontana High School called the Vocational Communications Laboratory Program. It was a great start for kids who were interested in electronics and radio communications. We had a chance to learn Morse code, Basic Electronics, and Basic Radio Communications. Our club station call was WB6HJJ. I got my Novice Ticket in 1979 and then upgraded to Advanced in 1981. We also studied for and passed the old FCC Third Class Radiotelephone test. He was a good teacher and the mix of Ham Radio and electronics was really great. Not many chances anymore for kids to get that kind of exposure to technology in schools these days.
- Bill – KA6KBC
