OT -- a lifetime of ham radio

[Tony Estep]

I think of myself as an old-timer, and I suppose that in fact I am,
having been licensed for 54+ years. I've been inactive for long
periods, but have always retained an interest in ham radio and it has
provided fun and stimulation throughout my life.

But the other night I got a glimpse into what it means to be a real
old-timer. I worked Nasir, AP2NK, and afterward I looked him up on
QRZ. There's not much detail: a picture of him looking earnest in a
business suit and red tie, and an address in Islamabad; but there's
his birthdate, 1926. Wow, the guy is on the air, sending pretty
nice-sounding code with a straight key, at age 86. His signal was
barely audible, suggesting a barefoot rig and perhaps a dipole in the
crowded environs of Pakistan's capital city.

If you live long enough, you have a lot of experiences (or as Yogi
sez, you can observe a lot by watching). Nasir's experiences are way
beyond what many of us see in our lives. He lived through the
partition years as a young adult, and was already 21 when Pakistan
came into existence as a country. Did he operate a radio then? Or
during all the later turmoil and upheavals?

Whatever the case, it's sort of inspirational to hear him on the air,
tapping out QSOs to the few North Americans who noticed his faint
dits, and imagining that he'll still be doing it when he's 100. He
must still be having fun, or he wouldn't do it, would he. So I guess
my point is that there's something about sending your signals off into
the ether to bounce whither they will, that stays with you for a long
time.

73,
Tony KT0NY



--
http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352
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[WE5ST]

Well said Tony. Thank you!

Jack - WE5ST




________________________________
From: Tony Estep <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tue, March 27, 2012 2:52:36 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] OT -- a lifetime of ham radio

I think of myself as an old-timer, and I suppose that in fact I am,
having been licensed for 54+ years. I've been inactive for long
periods, but have always retained an interest in ham radio and it has
provided fun and stimulation throughout my life.

But the other night I got a glimpse into what it means to be a real
old-timer. I worked Nasir, AP2NK, and afterward I looked him up on
QRZ. There's not much detail: a picture of him looking earnest in a
business suit and red tie, and an address in Islamabad; but there's
his birthdate, 1926. Wow, the guy is on the air, sending pretty
nice-sounding code with a straight key, at age 86. His signal was
barely audible, suggesting a barefoot rig and perhaps a dipole in the
crowded environs of Pakistan's capital city.

If you live long enough, you have a lot of experiences (or as Yogi
sez, you can observe a lot by watching). Nasir's experiences are way
beyond what many of us see in our lives. He lived through the
partition years as a young adult, and was already 21 when Pakistan
came into existence as a country. Did he operate a radio then? Or
during all the later turmoil and upheavals?

Whatever the case, it's sort of inspirational to hear him on the air,
tapping out QSOs to the few North Americans who noticed his faint
dits, and imagining that he'll still be doing it when he's 100. He
must still be having fun, or he wouldn't do it, would he. So I guess
my point is that there's something about sending your signals off into
the ether to bounce whither they will, that stays with you for a long
time.

73,
Tony KT0NY



--
http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html