N9AL

                    The life and times of Tom Buchan.     This all began in the summer of 1953  somewhere in the middle of Germany.  I was new and had only been over there for a couple of months.  We were sitting on top of a mountain in a Jeep with all our Radio gear in operation.  Now we had been on the air from about 4:00AM this morning.  When off to the East (toward East Germany "RUSSIA") came a strange looking object none of which I had ever seen before.  And at the same time Bob began to turn the radio off frequency, which I still didn't understand.  As this jet propelled  plane came overhead it cleared the ground by about 20 '.  At this time Bob said" You missed.."  And I asked just what was going on ? Bob said he and his brother was trying to make contact . Then he said when we get back to base he would explain about Ham radio.  And in the next few months He and I got to take our test for a German Amateur Radio License.  My call came back DL4OG, Don't remember Bob's. He then applied for another license to be used as a club call. That came back as DL4AAA and from that day on we were Denmark London 4 All American Alcoholic. Made a lot of Nice Contacts... Left Germany December , 1955.

It  has been a long 50 years, since this all began.  But it is one of the most exciting Hobbies a person could have. I have as some would say "BEEN There DONE That. Just this Last February 3, 2003. My first experience with a tower coming down.  I have had all sizes and shapes up before.  I fell victim to this on my own.  Thinking  almost 10 years ago this was a good Idea.  Now I realize one must read a little more before making this kind of an investment Decision.... I was hungry for Height. As most Hams are.  Had Beautiful Signal Reports. A Lot of people want to talk to the Power Stations.  I was not running a lot of  power except when some "Nut" would start trying to over run me, or cause a lot of problems because I was Handling traffic out of the Bush of Africa.  I Worked all of stations on the lowest reduced settings as  possible and still got good reports. I must say I am using a Kenwood TS-950 SDX.  Had Hard-line to the antenna, A Classic 33 Mosley (Tuned to SSB Bands).  Had good news today,  My insurance Company is going to cover  most of my loss. So now I am in the process of getting estimates.  Will let you know later the outcome...... Hope to back on soon....!!!!!!!!  Good News April, 2003 I got back on the Air with a new SteppiR BigiR Vertical.  I love it, Have had some people tell me not to put my Beam up.  They said I was stronger than with my previous Beam. Still no Power ( band is wide open at this time)  Now it is August and the tower is here ( US 89' telescoping with a motor)  W0W  I am getting fantastic reports ( forwards and bi-directional and reverse)  Just love all the reports..

       I am the : Satern 20 Meter Net Director, and Thursday Morning Satern Net Control on 14.265 MHZ  @ 15:00Z (Winter Hours Day-light savings time)  14:00Z in The summer. Look for Satern.Org or Satern.Net on the Internet..   Everything is available there.... Looking for You........ 

Also I help with The VEC testing and teaching programs. 

 I am The Retired District  Merit Badge Councilor for the Boy Scouts in Radio, Electronics and Computers.  Get a lot of excitement  going and got some Ham Operators out of this.

It is now winter in Indiana 2004, so I  have reinvigorated a 50 Year old Hobby, Model Airplanes and Helicopters ( Only Electric) This time.  Currently have a Bi-Plane Tiger Moth,  P-51D, and a 22" rotor Helicopter.  Looking forward to spring.. 

Man o-Man  where does the Time go.......??????????  Here it is February 2007.  Seems the time just keeps slipping away..  The FCC is dropping Morse Code the 23rd at Midnight.. Lots of excited Hams all over the country are gearing up to upgrade their Licenses....  Good Luck To All..............

CU Soon.  Best of 73'S

  N9AL Tom 

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