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![Previous (earlier) Story](/images/sty-down.gif "Major ISP tells FCC BPL not a "commercially viable alternative" to cable, DSL"){kind=small} Previous: Major ISP tells FCC BPL not a "commercially viable alternative" to cable, DSL |  Next: The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler |
By Norm Fusaro, W3IZ
ARRL Affiliated Club/Mentor Program Manager
December 17, 2004
Often when we accomplish something the first thing that we do is look back at all the people that helps us get there. Our parents, coaches, teachers and everyone else that had something to do with the endeavor get a mention.
 Gerry, W0UAK, and his Elmer, John, W0HPN. The two met in 1952 and have been friends ever since. |
In the Amateur Radio world the person that gets the biggest accolades is our Elmer or mentor. This is the person that kept encouraging us when we thought we couldn't do it or who clarified a rather murky theory for us or who help us make that first QSO.
For Randy Mcdowell, KC0SDH, passing his General class exam was the most gratifying experience in ham radio so far, and he could not say enough good things about his Elmer, Gerry Erickson, W0UAK. Randy wanted to do something special for his friend and mentor.
The two men met in the fall of 2003 when Randy contacted
Gerry and said that he wanted to be a ham.
As a member of the Mesabi Wireless
Association in Virginia, Minnesota, Gerry had taught many licensing
classes. With five eager students in
the class, including Randy's wife Pamela, Gerry started them on the fun road
toward ham radio. After several weeks
of study and with Gerry's encouragement the group of five all passed their
Technician class license exam.
 Randy, KC0SDH, proudly sits in front of his HF station ready to make that first QSO. |
Although he had his entry level license, Randy wasn't done there. To him ham radio meant being able to surf the HF airwaves and contact people all over the country and the world. Randy would be the first of his five member class to upgrade and according to Gerry "With Randy's drive and enthusiasm he will make Extra in no time."
Randy's perception of Amateur Radio as worldwide communication is similar to Gerry's introduction to the hobby. To this day Gerry remembers his Elmer from over fifty years ago. His name is John and his call is W0HPN. Gerry recalls seeing that National 173 receiver at John's house and hearing the voices come out of the speaker and the sounds of CW. At that moment the teenager was hooked. Gerry and John are still friends today and both are very active hams.
|
Ham radio has influenced Gerry's life in many ways. His career path lead him to become an
electronics teacher at the local community college. Gerry taught electronics at the college's tech school for many
years until he retired. Gerry tells us
that he has made many friends because of ham radio. He says, "The majority of my longtime friends are hams. There is something special about ham radio
that keeps us glued together."
 John, W0HPN, at the operating position in his shack. |
 ARRL is committed to support Affiliated Clubs in their efforts to mentor new hams. [Full Story] |
Gerry is a very active operator and he operates many modes including CW, SSB, PSK 31 and works the amateur satellites currently in orbit. Gerry's new thrill is QRP where he gets to employ his skills as an antenna builder to get the most out of his 5 watt signals. He is always encouraging the new ham to try something new.
Now that Randy had his General ticket he was eager to get an HF station set up. As Gerry says "Everyone has their specialty." Gerry's is teaching and Randy's specialty is building. Gerry helped his friend find a set Drake Twins from Jim, W0EL, and Randy proceeded to build a tower. The three men managed to build a nice station for little money and one that would provide Randy with many hours of pleasure contacting hams all around the world.
Gerry says that he was just as excited as Randy was when
Randy passed his code test and earned his General class license. As most teachers will tell you it is the
student that does the work and that the teacher simply provides the support and
encouragement. Randy wanted to do
something special for the man that provided the support and the encouragement
that allowed him to enjoy a fun and exciting new hobby. For
his "unselfish and benevolent assistance" Randy presented Gerry with the ARRL
Elmer Award.
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