John Steele – AD8QI

Back in the early 1980’s I was active in a CB group called, “React.” Myself and others would monitor CB channel 9 for distress calls and listen to the scanner for situations in which we might be able to assist the law enforcement or fire dept. by helping with traffic control or render aid and assistance to someone in need. Once I received a certificate in the mail from the Michigan State Police thanking me for the assistance I provided in traffic control at an accident scene. 

I don’t remember the exact time I learned about Ham Radio, but it was in the mid-to-late 80’s. I got a book and studied for the Novice and Technician classes including the 10 wpm code. Passed on the first go-around and was Technician Plus. It wasn’t long and I had my first used, ancient, 2 mtr mobile rig. Ha, don’t remember the brand or anything, but it was a tank and once I figured out the microphone battery was low, it worked great. Then onto saving for a 2 mtr HT. I think it was an Alinco and that was some exciting times. Didn’t much care that the extra long rubber ducky antenna stood out a little, haha.

With a borrowed 10 mtr radio, set up a dipole in the yard and worked 10 mtrs for a short time. Contesting was pretty fun. Didn’t get too involved because of the expense of purchasing radios and life got busy pretty quick, too. Once the family started, Ham Radio took a back seat for a few decades.

Now in the present time, with the encouragement of a good friend, passed the General exam. Now I’m encouraging him, and another friend, to get their Extra license as well. I surely wasn’t even thinking of the Extra when taking on the General, but the challenge was growing inside me. So I hit the materials and, 15 days later, passed the Extra. Not a huge feat by any means, as I’ve heard of others taking the General and Extra and passing in one day! but happy to have taken on the challenge none-the-less.

It’s wonderful to be here on the HF bands and to see so much activity! It’s like a whole other world out here to learn and explore. And I find it fascinating to ponder how frequencies are so manipulated as to provide communications from one to another; simply amazing.

73’s

John  AD8QI