Elmers: A Guiding Hand
Features
H. E. "Rip" Van Winkle, NV0M
H. E. "Rip" Van Winkle, NV0M, is one of the pillars of the BARC Juniors (along with his XYL, Ellie) of BARC's youth auxiliary club, as well as the Boulder Amateur Radio Club's repeater trustee. Rip has always made learning electronics theory a little easier for these young hams by his very clever and entertaining demonstrations of the principles of electronics.
 "Rip" Van Winkle, NV0M, instructing at a BARC Junior demo session. Rip is the one in the center with the yellow shirt.
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Each week Rip comes up with a new and fascinating demonstration that will appeal to the young and older hams alike. Not only does he do this, but he always is eager to assist young and old hams on any home-brew projects (including myself) and even has provided the special part that someone needs from his vast array of "junk" or even has helped them design and machine a metal fabricated part in his completely equipped home workshop. He will spend as much time as the individual wants, or needs, and has been there for each and every one of the kids at BARC Junior and any of the new hams at BARC whenever asked.
On top of this, his home and his ham station have been available for demonstration of almost every mode of ham band operation. Under Rip's watchful eye, and with his friendly advice, it is probably the first station any new ham in this area operates. If any of our club members (or BARC Junior members) show an interest in repeater operation and maintenance, he will take them under his wing and mentor them through the complexities of it's theory, maintenance and operation. There is not very much he can't design, build or repair on the club repeater.
In the true spirit of the Elmer -- Rip Van Winkle goes far and beyond that -- and has become the friend of ham radio to anyone to whomever comes in contact with him, whether they be new or old to this hobby. He has elmered hams (and would be hams) from six to eighty. Rip will also take it upon himself to regularly visit some of our club members who are in retirement or nursing homes and make sure their ham radio equipment and antennas are working properly. If not, he will repair their equipment and get them back on the air.
I know many hams who Elmer, but they are quite a distance away from this individual as far as having a dedication in this hobby to teach, a willingness to help or have his knowledge of the principles of our hobby. But most of all, he unselfishly does this week in and week out, and has done so for many years with little or no fanfare! Truly, Rip Van Winkle defines the true spirit and meaning of an "Elmer"-- he is, in fact, a guiding ham.
Sincerely,
Jack Ciaccia, WM0G
Boulder Amateur Radio Club
Boulder, CO
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