08-14-2014, 11:07 AM
While making contact with NK3N (ARRL President, 300 points), I was fighting some strong QRM from a ham on a nearby frequency.
After the QSL, I tuned him up and realized there were three hams on an impromptu net in Kansas City Kansas helping a friend while he drove from KC to New Mexico. Their friend was mobile and they were keeping him company while he drove there.
After listening for 10 minutes or so, I heard this faint & aged operator request Break. The guy running the net advised it wasn't an Official Net and he could break in.
The faint reply was from Bill, a Ham in Arizona. He overheard the same conversation (which was, at that time about a Kenwood TS-480). He went on to discuss how that radio was his favorite radio and started asking questions about it. Turns out that everyone transmitting save one was using a TS-480. The conversation continued.
Later, Bill advised that he was living in a Scottsdale, AZ Assisted Living Community, was approaching 97 years of age and that The Community had erected an antenna for him so he could get back on the air which he had been away from for a number of years. He has been licensed since he was 15 years old.
What struck me was how these Hams from KC had immediately included Bill in their impromptu net and made him feel welcome.
Before I could reply, Band conditions fluctuated and they faded.
I hope I get the chance to chat with Bill or maybe these KC guys again.
Just wanted someone else to know.
After the QSL, I tuned him up and realized there were three hams on an impromptu net in Kansas City Kansas helping a friend while he drove from KC to New Mexico. Their friend was mobile and they were keeping him company while he drove there.
After listening for 10 minutes or so, I heard this faint & aged operator request Break. The guy running the net advised it wasn't an Official Net and he could break in.
The faint reply was from Bill, a Ham in Arizona. He overheard the same conversation (which was, at that time about a Kenwood TS-480). He went on to discuss how that radio was his favorite radio and started asking questions about it. Turns out that everyone transmitting save one was using a TS-480. The conversation continued.
Later, Bill advised that he was living in a Scottsdale, AZ Assisted Living Community, was approaching 97 years of age and that The Community had erected an antenna for him so he could get back on the air which he had been away from for a number of years. He has been licensed since he was 15 years old.
What struck me was how these Hams from KC had immediately included Bill in their impromptu net and made him feel welcome.
Before I could reply, Band conditions fluctuated and they faded.
I hope I get the chance to chat with Bill or maybe these KC guys again.
Just wanted someone else to know.