communication needs of all sorts : on the battlefields of WWI , for ship-to-shore and land-to-air communications , in emergency and disaster relief scenarios , and for expeditions to the world ’ s most remote and uninhabited locations . When the illfated RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink , the ship ’ s radio operator , Jack Phillips , manned his station , transmitting distress signals until he was able to reach another ship , which led to the rescue of some 700 survivors . Phillips gave his life to accomplish his mission .
When noted explorer Donald MacMillan and Navy Lt . Admiral Richard Byrd mounted a major Arctic expedition in 1925 , it was a 15-year-old ham radio operator in Iowa who received news from the expedition ’ s radio operator and transmitted it to radio stations for all of America to hear . That young ham , Arthur Collins , had achieved what the U . S . Navy could not . He later went on to found a respected and successful radio manufacturing company bearing his name .
In his book , The HP Way , David Packard wrote , “ Back at Stanford , it was ham radio that helped set my future course .” His involvement in the university ’ s ham radio club influenced his decision to co-found Hewlett-Packard with fellow ham , Bill Hewlett , in 1939 . Under their leadership , HP became one of Silicon Valley ’ s most iconic companies .
Others , like Jack Kilby , were similarly inspired . The Texas Instruments engineer , often referred to as “ the father of the integrated circuit ,” followed his curiosity from amateur radio into the new world of electronics and high tech . There ’ s a veritable Who ’ s Who of tech leaders with memories of ham radio and how it fostered new ideas and experimentation during their youth .
Also embedded in ham culture is a willingness to help others . It can be intimidating for newcomers to get comfortable on the air and to make decisions on what equipment to buy . An experienced ham who mentors a novice and shows them the ropes is referred to as an “ Elmer ” or “ Elma .” Ham radio clubs foster community service too . Hams have worked behind the scenes at holiday parades , triathlons , festivals and other large community events for decades .
When a volunteer assists first responders and the community in a time of need , whether it involves a natural or manmade disaster , he or she may discover a new sense of purpose as an amateur radio operator in service to others . This is true for many veteran ham radio volunteers in South County .
For some hams , it ’ s all about the thrill of competition . In 1970 , hams who enjoyed “ radiosport ” formed the Northern California Contest Club . The goal of contesters is to connect with or “ work ” the greatest number of stations possible within a defined period of time . The club grew rapidly and today its members include many top-ranked worldwide contest winners . The NCCC and many other ham radio clubs also promote DXing , making contact with distant stations that are sometimes in extremely remote locations . ( continued ...)
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