This is my Last Column

I want to start by thanking ARRL and the Editors at QST for giving me the opportunity to write a monthly column. It has been a wonderful and learning experience for me.

Starting in January 2000 and continuing through March 2014, in over 160 columns spanning more than 14 years, I have tried to provide interesting articles about some remarkable radios and even more remarkable hams. Based on your emails and personal comments when we met, and even written letters, I have achieved that goal.  I have been told many times that my column is the first thing you read when your QST arrives.

I also enjoyed traveling and speaking around the country from Maine to North Carolina and Texas, Michigan and Montana, at hamfests and club meetings. I have always enjoyed your welcomes.

I have to confess that the articles on the History of Ham Radio were my favorites. Learning about something that occurred years ago; and then researching and finding interesting facts about the ham participants was the most rewarding; second only to sharing these stories with you.

I regret leaving QST as I have so many more stories still here, hundreds of personal letters from old timers writing about their radio experiences to draw from. The letters were written years ago by prominent and ordinary hams and are in my files. These stories won’t be told now through QST.

I want to personally thank Steve Ford, WB8IMY, my first editor who guided me and has stood by me all these years.  Without him I would not have been successful. My next editor was Joel Kleinman, N1BKE. I miss him and his guidance. And my last editor Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK, who’s editing made my stories even better.

The graphic department at times performed small miracles cleaning up a bad photo to make it usable in my column and provided great layouts.  Thank you.

I also want to thank Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, who first contacted me after my 1999 visit to the ARRL Headquarters parking lot with my mobile museum. (What an unexpected and exciting phone call that was for me.) He explained that QST wanted to start a Vintage column and would I be interested in writing it. Of course I immediately said, “Yes!” And I think it’s important to empathize that it was ARRL who wanted to start the Vintage column and I was the lucky one selected to write it.

It is now time for me to leave QST as they ramp up for the 100th celebration and its new digital magazine.  I will miss writing my monthly column for you. But don't worry about me, I'm looking forward to taking care of my "Bucket List."

I'm Speaking at the ARRL 100th in Hartford
July 18 or 19, 2014

I will be speaking at the 100th, on Friday or Saturday. You'll have to check the schedule when it is finalized for the exact day and time. My presentation is really "BIG" and I am happy to present this for you. I think this will be a first for Ham Radio.

Topic: Old Transmissions and Voices from the Past.

You will hear early Ship-Shore and Ship-Ship CW Transmissions, and what some of the early Ham and Radio Pioneer voices sounded like, including the voices of Marconi, Jack Binns, Irving Vermila, De Forest, Paul Godley, Armstrong, Reinartz, Orin Brown, Elmo Pickerill, Art Collins, General Griswold, and CD Tuska speaking about starting QST magazine.

My Co-Presenter is David Ring, N1EA, who was the operator on the "WILLIAMSBURGH" who answered the SOS from the passenger ship "PRINSENDAM" in 1980. You'll hear that cw SOS.

Please continue to visit my web page www.k2tqn.com/.  ̶  73 de K2TQN