1978 - Trouble In Paradise

Here is a photo of me taken on January 2, 1978 with the Siltronix station.

On February 6-8, 1978, a paralyzing blizzard left 2'-4' of snow in the area, as indicated in the above local newspaper headline. I was not off the air, however; my antenna survived the Great Blizzard of '78. I continued using the Siltronix 1011D, working many states and countries.

Hunting for international as well as national DX, I worked many European DXers using "Earth" #s. I worked these fellows in March and April 1978 respectively. Back then, the international DXers on 11 meters used "Echo" #s, which stood for "Earth DX International". They issued #s similar to the "Whiskey" #s in the states, with a number & letter combo prefix. My # was 2E950-RI. On April 16, 1978, however, one week after the contact confirmed on the QSL above, my luck with "Uncle Charlie (aka FCC) ran out, and three enforcement agents knocked on the door. They checked my 1011D, and cited me for seven (7) violations. (1) Communciating with stations over 150 miles away (Odessa TX), (2) Failure to identify by call sign (I used Trans American 549), (3) Using frequencies not authorized (27.145) , (4) Using power over 4 watts . (5) Using a non-type-accepted transmitter, (6) Using non-crystal-controlled transmitter, & (7) Having a transmitter capable of transmitting on unauthorized frequency ranges. Ironically, I was not using the traditional "freeband" frequencies above Channel 40, but actually in between CB channels. My total forfeiture (or should I say my father's) for these infractions was $325.00. Despite letters of request to reduce or eliminate the fine, the FCC would not budge, and my Dad paid the fine.

​I am not proud of this little piece of my radio history, but it did spur me to study for my Novice class Amateur Radio license later that year, which I subsequently passed. I sold the Siltronix 1011D, and purchased a President Washington 40 channel CB, completely legal. Here is a picture of the President Washington, now made by Uniden (pictured left). 

A CB friend of mine (also a ham), Nelson Hayward, WB1CRR, was an Elmer to me, and encouraged me this year to obtain my Novice Class Amateur Radio License. His QSLs - both CB and Ham = are pictured left.

​I graduated from high school in June 1978. In the last 2 months of 1978, a friend administered the Novice class written test and 5 WPM code test, and I passed with flying colors. I was on my way to the wonderful world of amateur radio and legal DX chasing.

On December 15, 1978, I applied to the ARRL and received a Certificate of Code Proficiency for receiving 15 words per minute (right). Also here is a picture of me taken in December 1978.