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 [MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN] I got interested in Amateur Radio around 1960 when my
grandmother gave me an old AM table radio. I looked forward to the sun setting, because it made
that little radio come alive with music and news from all over the country. Listening to that
radio transported me to many far off places, but little did I know that it was only...the
beginning!
It didn't take too long before curiosity got the best of me. I wanted to know what made that
little cream colored box work. (See picture to the right.) What were those small lights
coming from inside the box? What was causing the box to keep me warm during the winter, and
what was that strange odor? All I needed was a screwdriver.
(Could it be that only three screws were holding all the little radio's secrets?)
When I managed to slide the radio chassis out of its enclosure, I noticed a couple large glass
objects that glowed. Yes, they were hot, and had a peculiar odor. (Three mysteries
solved.) There was also an arrangement of metal cans, and a funny looking "thing" that rotated
when the front dial was moved. Upon closer investigation, I saw that this "thing" had a couple
of screws on top that looked loose, so I proceeded to tighten them.
(Not knowing a great deal about electricity, I had the radio turned on while it was out of the
case. While tightening the screws, I experienced my first electric shock. Safety
first?!)
Well, I noticed right away that moving those screws made the radio stations jump across the
dial. I would turn the screws a little, and then go looking for the radio station at its new
location on the dial. It was during one of those searches that I heard a man talking to another
about antennas and radios. Every couple of minutes each would say "over."
 My dad listened, and he said he thought they were called "Ham Operators!" He
didn't know much else, but promised to see if he could find a book on the subject. (As I
recall, he didn't say anything about the radio being all apart, or the fact that the radio was
picking up conversations it shouldn't.)
Not too long after that, my father brought home a couple books published by ARRL, the American Radio
Relay League. The books explained that a license was required to become an Amateur Radio
Operator. One was full of study questions and answers, and the second was a guide on how to
learn Morse Code, which came in handy while in the Boy Scouts. Yes, we had to learn signaling
in those years.
While studying for the license, I spent many nights listening to the AM broadcast band. I found
it fascinating to hear stations from all across the country, and I must admit, I found it more
interesting then learning about Ohm's Law. For some reason, E=I*R didn't relate to anything I
was learning in school.
 With the help of Popular Electronic's magazine, I soon learned all about the
finer points of "DXing" (listening for distant stations), and how radio stations would send souvenir
"QSL" postcards or letters to listeners who would send in detailed reception reports. (Do you
realize that a postcard required only a 3 cent stamp in those days?) Soon, it seemed that I was
always anxiously waiting for the mailman to deliver my next new QSL card.
Many of these cards managed to stay with me over the past 48 years, and few of them can be seem on
the "Broadcast Station
QSL Cards" page. Hopefully, the cards will bring back memories for some of you.
 (As a quick side note to
broadcast band radio listening, and my interest in radio in general... I actually got behind
the microphone while in high school and college during the sixties. A few summer vacations, and
many weekends were spent working at the local 1KW AM radio station. I was just 16 years old
when I landed my first broadcasting job, but that's another story I'll need to cover in a later
chapter. A couple additional pictures are at the bottom of this page.)
 Well, I got off track a little (a lot), but that's how it all started. My dad bought me
a Hallicrafters SX-140 receiver in 1961 and soon after I received my first license. It was a
few months before we could afford a transmitter, so I spent many hours listening to and practicing my
CW. I also spent time visiting our local radio store (Northwest Radio Supply). I spent so
much time in that store, I could have been mistaken for a store fixture.
Once I got on-the-air, you couldn't pull me away. Since then, I've listened to, and operating
most of the different modes including voice (AM, FM & SSB), Morse Code, FAX and various digital
delights including teletype (RTTY), AMTOR, Packet and PSK31. With Amateur Radio, there is
always something new and different to try. I even experimented with operating through the
"Digital Micro-Satellites," and that was a real thrill.
 Over the
past 40+ years, I've found a world of enjoyment in radio, and I've probably spent more time then I
should have listening, learning and playing, but it sure has been fun.
 My very first QSL card is pictured to the left. In these early years, many Novices had
their cards made by the same printing company, especially this particular one.
Recently, I came across a picture of the man who gave me my first Amateur Radio exam in 1961.
Ray, W8HK, owned the local photography studio on Washington Street, and was active for many years in
Marquette. He sold the shop and retired to Florida with the callsign K4HK.
 Ray is now a
silent key, but I still remember sitting in his radio room taking and passing that Novice exam.
Ray's QSL is pictured to the right.
Here are some notes from History:
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was April 17, 1961 (one month after I got my first short-wave receiver), and
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was the number 1 record in December. 1962 saw the first American in
Space, the Cuban missile crisis, and the first live Telstar TV satellite broadcast.
Thanks for stopping in, and until next time...
73,
Joe (AJ8MH)
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Here are a couple old photographs taken
in the late 60's of "yours truly" at WDMJ AM (left) and
FM (right) in Marquette. Plus, a little formula helper I found tucked in an old engineering
book.
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