What was Ham Radio like 100+ years ago? How did Ham Radio impact three generations of one family over that time? One of our members, Ron Todd, K3FR, dug into his family memories and photos to put together a (short) slide presentation covering his father’s experiences with Ham Radio and how it has impacted his, and now, his son’s life. Join in through Ron’s presentation and his dad’s own notes.
Ronald Todd
I hold an Amateur Extra license and have been a ham since 1959, original call: WV2JAM. I did a stint in Quebec between 1973 and 1975 as VE2AXW. I am a second generation ham, my dad was licensed as 3UK in 1920; when call areas were remapped in 1924, he became W2UM.
I love radio contesting and have participated since 1960 winning several section level certificates. I also like designing and "home brewing", ham radio style, and have had articles published in 73 Mag (Dec 1965), QST (Oct 1975), QEX (I'll update), and Ham Radio Magazine (May & Oct 1988); I was also one of the field editors of the 1985 ARRL Handbook.
I was ARRL Section Manager for Utah from 1983 through April 1985. I like CW though it's getting hard to get people to listen to it on 6 and 2 meters. I have designed and built several keyers including the paddle set and at one time owned a key collection that numbered about two dozen keys. My favorite key is my Bunnell Double Speed Key (Sidewinder).
Professionally, I spent forty-two years in the Semiconductor business, designing and developing standard and custom MOS digital integrated circuits for commercial, military, and space applications. I hold or share seven US patents including one for the Genie (Garage) Door Operator. Following that, I spent an additional eight years supporting a government agency IT contract.
I am now retired and spending a lot of time/money with ham radio (mostly 2m and 6m digital but planning HF), photography, and my far flung extended family that currently includes two great-grandchildren.