Elmers

Important Elmers In My Life

My father (SK) was never an amateur radio operator, but he sure knew a lot about radios and electronics.  He made me a crystal radio when I was 7 years old or so and then helped me build a one tube regenrative radio when I was in Cub Scouts.  He also helped me by converting an old Zenith radio by adding a beat frequency oscillator (BFO) so I could copy CW when I was 11 or 12.  Thanks Dad, you were the best!

Another Elmer was Marshall Ensor (W0BSP/W9BSP), my Industrial Arts teacher in high school. He gave me my Novice test and also sponsored the Radio Club, of which I was a member.  Our school had a amateur radio station and I used to go there after school.  Here is a link to the Ensor Museum.  Mr. Ensor and his sister Loretta (W0UA/W9UA) were pioneers in radio communications and it was my privlidge to have known both of them.  Both are Silent Keys (SK).

Harry Krout (W0YQG) was a great Elmer to me.  After I received my Novice, he assisted me with antennas and all sorts of operating advice.  He administered the Technician test to me when I was 14 years old.  We still remain in contact and in fact he was the one who recently restored the school transmitter that is shown on the right.  A few years ago, after Harry's careful restoration, that transmitter was put on the air and I was able to make contact with the Ensor Museum radio on 160 meters CW. To see a newspaper article about the transmitter's restoration, click here.