Well,

I'm 61

Novice License 1955

General License 1956

Extra Class Permit 2003

wrote:
Just a question that has been rattling around in the gourd. What age
group are B/A enthusiast-type folks here on the Net?

52. Got interested in elctronics in 5th grade, 1964-65. When I moved to
a new house a neighbor gave me (now long gone) two ARRL handbooks from
the 40's and 50's but was not a ham. I read those until they fell apart.

Never could learn the code and went into computers instead.

In 1993 I earned a no-code tech. I tried everything that I could even to
the point of talking a cpo on the train to work and talking to myself
in morse code. But I never could copy enough to pass.

I asked the local VEs and then the ARRL VEC about taking a sending (only)
test and they refused without a doctor's note. I then found out about Code
Quick and learned to copy in about 2 months.

I got as far as the 13wpm test and then had to stop taking tests in
preperation for moving here. When I left the states in 1996, I was able
to copy about 35wpm. But could never get above about 10wpm with a
straight key. I've never been able to "get it" with a bug or a keyer, my
brain is not wired to think in letters.

The U.S. advanced was good enough for an Israeli extra license. I had
not used it in years and have recently gone back on the air.

Radios are rare here so there is no chance of building a boat anchor collection.
Each transmitter must be on your license and an import permit is needed for
them.

What I do have is usefull and still works well, a Drake TR-5, Ten-Tec
Triton IV digital, Argonaut 509, and a "modern" rig, a Kenwood TS-430s.

73.

Geoff.


--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM
IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838
Visit my 'blog at http://geoffstechno.livejournal.com/

I'm 59, got my novice in 1960, "CONDITIONAL" in 1961, extra in 1995. Still
have my DX-100 and SX-71, white face.

--
Regards,
Gary...WZ1M
wrote in message
oups.com...
Just a question that has been rattling around in the gourd. What age
group are B/A enthusiast-type folks here on the Net? I know we have the
folks from when they (the B/A's) were the most active (and I'm talking
SX11 here), but I wonder if there's a large following of Boomers that
picked up on it too. I only say this because I don't see as many
30's-40's-50's people at the Hamfests and other gatherings as I see my
elders (Gentlemen, all). So the question bubbles up outta the tar? How
old are the folks on rec.radio.amateur.boatanchor?
rgds, Mark S.

In message .com,
writes
Just a question that has been rattling around in the gourd. What age
group are B/A enthusiast-type folks here on the Net? I know we have the
folks from when they (the B/A's) were the most active (and I'm talking
SX11 here), but I wonder if there's a large following of Boomers that
picked up on it too. I only say this because I don't see as many
30's-40's-50's people at the Hamfests and other gatherings as I see my
elders (Gentlemen, all). So the question bubbles up outta the tar? How
old are the folks on rec.radio.amateur.boatanchor?
rgds, Mark S.

I think I beat the others. I'm 74, licenced in '52.

That's why I'm on BA!

Mike G3IJE
--
M.J.Powell

Interesting thread.

I just turned 47 last week. Got my Novice in July 1977 while in
College at Delaware Tech (club call sign was WB3CSM; long since
defunct). Upgraded to General and then Advanced within just a
few months. Finally got around to the Extra in 1990. Got the
vanity call in 1996. Always a CW operator, not much fone. Been
a fan of tube gear and of QRP ever since the beginning. I can't
recall a time when I didn't have some of each kicking around the
shack. Not a collector; more of a dabbler. I buy 'em, fix 'em
up, make a QSO or two, then sell 'em. My fun is in the repair
and restoration, I guess.

Looking back over my nearly 29 years of hamming, the majority of
folks at hamfests have been made up of two groups: old timers and
very-newcomers. Still that way today. I think the mainstream
hams do more of their shopping on eBay and the 1-800 numbers.

73,
Dean K5DH (formerly WB3JBG, KA5JVU, KC5NG)


In article .com,
says...

Just a question that has been rattling around in the gourd. What age
group are B/A enthusiast-type folks here on the Net? I know we have the
folks from when they (the B/A's) were the most active (and I'm talking
SX11 here), but I wonder if there's a large following of Boomers that
picked up on it too. I only say this because I don't see as many
30's-40's-50's people at the Hamfests and other gatherings as I see my
elders (Gentlemen, all). So the question bubbles up outta the tar? How
old are the folks on rec.radio.amateur.boatanchor?
rgds, Mark S.

On 30 Jan 2006 16:58:14 -0800, wrote:

Just a question that has been rattling around in the gourd. What age
group are B/A enthusiast-type folks here on the Net? I know we have the
folks from when they (the B/A's) were the most active (and I'm talking
SX11 here), but I wonder if there's a large following of Boomers that
picked up on it too. I only say this because I don't see as many
30's-40's-50's people at the Hamfests and other gatherings as I see my
elders (Gentlemen, all). So the question bubbles up outta the tar? How
old are the folks on rec.radio.amateur.boatanchor?
rgds, Mark S.

64. First licensed in 1958, although I was an SWL for a few years
before that using a BC-342. Still have it.

Wes N7WS, formerly KN7CVT, K7CVT

Welll... I got a BC-610E in 1960, even-up trade for my Globe DSB-100,
from an Airman rotating in from Guam. I'm 62 and licensed in 1959. I
got (back) into B/As in about 1985. I see the same thing here in the DC
area. I have no idea what'll become of the treasures in the next 20-30
years? de K3HVG

"M. J. Powell" wrote in message
...

I think I beat the others. I'm 74, licenced in '52.

That's why I'm on BA!

I was licensed in '52, but I'm not telling although Mike is a bit older.

Leanne - W1WXS

wrote in message
oups.com...
Just a question that has been rattling around in the gourd. What age
group are B/A enthusiast-type folks here on the Net? I know we have the
folks from when they (the B/A's) were the most active (and I'm talking
SX11 here), but I wonder if there's a large following of Boomers that
picked up on it too.

There's plenty, if you define the boomers as those born between the late 40s
and early 60s. Probably the majority on this group, as we are the most
likely to have some sort of interest in both computers and vacuum tube
electronics.


I only say this because I don't see as many
30's-40's-50's people at the Hamfests and other gatherings as I see my
elders (Gentlemen, all). So the question bubbles up outta the tar? How
old are the folks on rec.radio.amateur.boatanchor?
rgds, Mark S.


I'll be 49 in a few days. Although I'm not a ham, I've been to a few
hamfests. I'd guess the bulk of the guys at the fests were retired guys,
but that might only mean that retired guys have more free time. But it's my
sense that younger people have less interest in vacuum tube electronics, and
most of what interest they have is in hi-fi audio and guitar amps.

Frank Dresser

I'll be 51 in a couple of weeks, going on 12
according to wifee. Been a ham since I was
18. As a dumb kid, I was always interested in
electronics, and did a lot of dumpster diving
for old radios and TV's. Hate to admit it, but I
ruined quite a few for their parts. Had more than
my share of military BA's over the years as well.
Now I'm paying my pennance and restoring many
of the old rigs I once destroyed.

Steve W6SSP