Memories: Paul The Ham! In 1956, during my time in Junior High School, we had various shop classes available to us, including electric, metal, print, and auto shops. While I took every class except auto shop, I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything because my father had already taught me everything I needed to know about cars.
I went to an electric shop and built an intercom using an old vacuum tube radio. Mom was thrilled as she could call out to Dad and me in the garage when dinner was ready. Unfortunately, I cannot recall the name of the electric shop teacher, but I do remember that he had bright red hair and was a ham radio operator.
In January 1957, I obtained my Novice license as WN6CJC after studying Morse Code and the novice theory that was required. With the help of my parents, I purchased a National NC-303 receiver and put together a Globe Chief 90A kit transmitter. By using Morse Code, I was able to communicate with people from all over the world and received QSL (confirmation) cards from over 100 different countries.
In 1980, I had to discontinue my involvement in Ham Radio as family and work commitments left me no spare time. Back in the day, I used to operate my Gonset GSB-100 and NC-303 receiver, which were kept in a closet of my home in La Mirada. I obtained an Amateur Extra Class license under the callsign WA6CJC when I entered high school.
I spent many hours in the 1960s and 1970s making friends worldwide with Ham Radio!
I served as a Navy MARS Operator during the Vietnam War with the call sign N0HSR. My role was to pass messages from deployed soldiers in Viet Nam to their friends and family in my local area. As a token of appreciation for my service, the Navy provided me with surplus equipment. Among the equipment I received was an AN/FRT-17 Transmitter. I was able to get it running and was offered a second one, which I accepted. The AN/FRT-17 Transmitter weighed a whopping 1,500 pounds and had 80 vacuum tubes inside! I kept it in my garage around 1975.
Two AN/FRT-17’s in action! Check out my pride and joy, a Collins 75A4 receiver – best in the world!
For fun, I used to call my station “Radio Free La Mirada” because I also built a 8,000-watt amplifier using two 4-1000A tubes and an old “pole pig” transformer generating 8,000 VDC at 1.2 amperes on the plates. That puppy could put out over 5KW key down for hours!
Great fun, and more memories to come!
Today, we spent some time working in the garden and later took a break to watch TV. After that, we headed to Renata’s for a late lunch. Mary ordered the veal piccata, while I ordered the spicy marinara with angel hair pasta. The waiter, who we have known for several years, made it extra spicy. It was spicy, and I exclaimed, “Burn, baby burn!”
We went out to lunch for the first time in a week.
I love being one half of a romantic couple.
We had some wine, which tasted pretty good after going dry for a week!
Here’s to you!
I ordered some spumoni ice cream, and it was delicious. I teased my sidekick about us “pigging out” without hesitation; she responded with a squeal and two oinks, complete with facial expressions. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to wet myself. Being with Dr. Mary is an adventure, never knowing what will happen next, but always expecting love and fun at every turn!
Mary cracks me up! We have such a great time together!
We brought home a Carbonara to our neighbor Jeff who has become our friend over the last two years. He has been a little under the weather, and an outside meal might be nice. We texted him while dining and asked what his favorite was; be are sneaky.
Hot from Renata’s Restaurant in Orange!
Did You Know? Carbonara is a pasta dish made with eggs, hard cheese, cured pork, and black pepper. The dish took its modern form and name in the middle of the 20th century. The cheese is usually Pecorino Romano, parmesan, or a combination of the two.
Since the name is derived from carbonaro (the Italian word for “charcoal burner”), some believe the dish was first made as a hearty meal for Italian charcoal workers. In parts of the United States, this etymology gave rise to the term “coal miner’s spaghetti.”
After returning home and delivering some Carbonara to Jeff, we went to the garden for a few minutes. Little by little, the garden is looking pretty good for the end of summer. My tummy was full, and my gorgeous wife was working alongside me. She went inside, as it was still pretty warm, and I was done with what I needed to do. I finished my work and felt a little playful, so I came up with an interesting idea!
Dang, Dr. Mary is brilliant!!
After spending the rest of the evening watching “Suits,” I took my loyal companion, Scout The Wonder Dog, out for his nightly constitutional. While we were out, we observed an airplane fly overhead, and Scout barked it away. One roar from mighty Scout and the plane increased his speed, called the tower, and asked for emergency landing instructions! Scout and Puff, The Magic Dragon, could have been good friends. He’s such a good dog!
The plane is landing at OC Airport.
We finally crashed at midnight after I took two ten-minute treatments with Vick’s steam inhaler to get things loosed up!
I was thinking of Mary as I drifted off to sleep!
