NM6D

08/30/2026

Pretty cool find. I bought a 1954 ARRL Handbook recently and inside was the receipt dated Feb 27, 1954. Purchased at Fisher Radio Company in London Ontario by C.G.Taylor for $3.50. 72 years ago 👍🏻

08/29/2026

Sun City AZ is still one of the best planned retirement communities to live in for the Ham. No antenna or tower restrictions here. I believe Del Webb was a ham, and made sure there would be provisions for Ham radio. There are antennas and towers everywhere. It's a beautiful thing to see! Six hams just in a 3 block radius from my house alone.

08/27/2026

Another local Phoenix area club that I joined is the West Valley Ham Shack. Great group of people. We have a radio museum, an electronics repair shop, and a storefront that sells refurbished donated radios, antennas, and accessories at great club member discounted prices. Not to mention a top notch radio shack with top of the line gear for contesting or rag chewing.
https://www.westvalleyhamshack.com

08/27/2026

Straight key has been a challenge for me. I haven't touched a straight key in 30 years or more. I am sloppy, but working towards mastering the beast. Another club worth joining. Lots of on air activities. https://www.skccgroup.com

08/27/2026

I've been getting back into code. These guys have a good thing going for newbies, and folks like me who haven't touched a straight key in 30 years.
https://longislandcwclub.org

08/18/2026

Been having a blast with the old Kenwood TS-520. Picked up the matching VFO and Speaker, & MC-50 for the complete station.

08/07/2026

Where did the term "Ham" originate?

The term "ham radio" comes from 19th-century wired telegraphy slang. Professional telegraph operators used the word "ham" to mock clumsy or unskilled operators with poor Morse code skills ("ham-fisted").

When wireless radio started, professionals used it to insult hobbyists, but the amateur community later claimed the word with pride.

Origins of the TermTelegraph Insult: Professional operators used "ham" for bad senders, similar to how people say "ham actor".

Transfer to Radio: Early wireless operators used the insult against amateur hobbyists who crowded the airwaves.

Reclaiming the Word: By the 1920s, amateur operators started calling themselves "hams" proudly, and the bad meaning went away.

~ Taken from Google AI

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08/07/2026

Listening to some local AM broadcast oldies on my 1939 Hallicrafters SX-24 with an R-44 speaker.

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08/05/2026

Good morning from NM6D 😎

08/04/2026

Got the Kenwood TS-520 up and running on 40 this morning.