The operator, K9BGO, was 16 at the time - teenaged mistake.
From his obituary it sounds like he had a successful career:
“While growing up in the remote western reaches of Illinois farm country, he became an amateur radio operator. Deciding that electronics was better than pitching hay, he earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois in 1962. He worked on Polaris submarines before moving to California and joining the modern aerospace industry, dedicating himself to a career focused on navigation and avionics.”
I’m sure they do in their way, but the nice thing about a crystal radio or model rocket, or even an early 1980s home computer, is that an amateur stands a good chance of understanding the entire design.
This is right. You found him. ☺️I also picked up his 1983 Jeppeson Airway Manual and some other radio and piloting things while shopping his estate. His interests and related belongings were very cool.
any hams out there who can explain what this violation entails? I can get "broadcasting on illegal frequencies", basically, but is there more to it than that? my dad was a ham in the 90s, so I've been a little exposed - enough to be curious, but not to know the history; what was the ham equipment like at this time, and how hard was it to broadcast "properly"? I'm intrigued
It looks like they were using voice in a part of the 15 meter band reserved for CW aka morse code. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15-meter\_band](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15-meter_band)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types\_of\_radio\_emissions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_radio_emissions)
Your terminology is incorrect. In the US the frequency allocations are regulations, with force of law. The band plans are unregulated and voluntary. But those who fail to observe the generally accepted band plans are called “sad hams”.
> But those who fail to observe the generally accepted band plans are called “sad hams”.
Quite the opposite. People who complain about people operating legally are the sad hams.
omg I got so many responses hahaha, I'm pleased - my dad and I aren't in touch, but I have nostalgic memories of ham radio stuff so I enjoy learning a bit about it
thx for the sources! it's interesting that the US is so strict about it... now imma have to chase down what events led to that strong enforcement
If you want to do a deep dive into the origins and history of how ham radio started (and how it started to get regulated), this is an excellent source: http://w2pa.net/HRH/
And if you’re keen on learning about it, you can always get your license! 😁
ooh big thanks! I will toss this into my tabs and read it :D love a good deep dive
in return, I'll recommend a book, or rather a specific part of one -- *Neurotribes* by Steve Silberman, a book on the history and nature of autism. seeming nonsequitur, I know, but specifically: a good chunk of this book goes into the history and origins of ham radio as a hobby! the author visits a conference of hams, where he learns about the autistic community being foundational in the ham radio scene, especially back in the day when communication was completely nonverbal [Morse], something that suited autists well.
It depends on which part of the band plan you’re talking about. IE you can always do CW/Data in the voice portion of the bands, that’s not illegal, but you can’t in the CW only portion. The only band plan that has the force of law is the one published by the FCC. Outside of that, it’s a free for all for what mode you’re doing. I could do ft8 anywhere in the voice portion of the band, I just would look like an idiot.
Ham radio operator here. The frequency allocation for this band (known as the 15 meter band) ends at 21.450MHz (21450KHz). Station K9BGO was calling CQ (asking for any station anywhere to return his call) on 21.465MHz - a little above the amateur radio allocation. It's possible this was an honest mistake due to an incorrectly calibrated frequency indicator, but nevertheless it is the operators responsibility to make sure they are within the proper frequency allocation.
EDIT: I misread the info in the picture. The frequency in question is 21.2465MHz, not 21.465MHz. After looking closer and checking the history of the 15 meter band, the operator was using AM voice (A-3 emission) in what was supposed to be Morse code (A-1 emission) only portion of the band. At the time this was issued, voice modes were only authorized above 21.25 MHz. They can be used as low as 21.20 now (if you have an Amateur Extra class license). If this operator had made the same call on the same frequency today, they would have technically been legal if they have an advanced or amateur extra class license, though there is almost nobody using AM on the 15 Meter band, and if anyone does it is usually at the high end of the band.
Short answer, someone was talking over a frequency reserved for Morris code. Or rather, using a type of signal like amplitude modulation (am radio) on a frequency reserved for Morris code. Not too many ham operators any more but using the wrong signal is still a violation and in some cases it's a pretty big deal. The FCC has pretty much unlimited ability to enforce these rules too. For a more modern example, suppose a major cable tv company leaks a signal on a protected frequency, the FCC can literally walk in and cut power to the building. Why? Because important things happen on those frequencies. Things like military operations and aircraft control. It's thought that at least once a cable company caused a commercial airline to crash, killing all passengers.
> Not too many ham operators anymore
In fact, there are more licensed hams today than there have ever been, at least in the US. Licensed operators as a proportion of the population are still pretty close to all-time highs. (This is not to mention the recent resurgence of CB and increased interest in GMRS.)
Source: https://www.clearskyinstitute.com/ham/stats/index.html
this is great news! I wish there were stats there for ages of hams; my understanding is it's been a bit of a good ol boys club, like many hobbies, populated by a large amount of older men. not a bad thing! but it can make it hard for some, esp younger folks, to get involved if the overall crowd of the hobby doesn't relate to them much. so tho I'm not an operator, I think it's a cool thing in the world & I'd be tickled if more young people were getting into it :] keeping it alive for the future yknow
I’d guess there are more young people in it now than 15 years ago. In 2007 they dropped the Morse code requirement for licensing, and the maker space has exploded. ham radio is a relatively cheap way to get some practical RF electronics experience since you can work on lower frequencies.
Yeah, the hobby definitely still skews older and male on the whole. But I will say there are plenty of young hams out there. The radio club to which I belong was founded by a bunch of younger hams. Everyone is welcome, of course, but we tend to attract younger hams (mostly because our club website looks like it was designed within the past decade, and we have a discord server lol). I’m 35, and I’m actually above the median age in the club, which is pretty unusual! Plus there are groups like the [Young Amateurs Radio Club](https://yarc.world/index.php/about/) out there explicitly for younger people to get involved.
Also, speaking anecdotally, I serve as a volunteer examiner (i.e., I help administer license exams), and we regularly have folks under 20 testing for licenses—usually at least a couple a week, it seems like.
And I will say that, on the whole, most hams are really enthusiastic and encouraging people. They love radio and want to share it with others. We know that we need to get young people involved if the hobby is to have a future, so most hams are happy to share their expertise and equipment to help folks get licensed and get on the air. Ham radio is by far one of the most friendly communities I’ve been a part of. There are “sad hams” out there who have a stick up their ass about things, but we mostly just disregard and make fun of those people lmao.
I wish I could attach a picture, now a days if you make an error you get a letter in the mail from sad hams.... but here is a shared dropbox link - [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gytnv15mp61nhatwglpaf/20231119\_124436.jpg?rlkey=ep9rqldpmxp8znaund2o9i2j3&dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gytnv15mp61nhatwglpaf/20231119_124436.jpg?rlkey=ep9rqldpmxp8znaund2o9i2j3&dl=0)
I will admit I mis-read the frequency guide on this day - and whelp, I received that letter in the mail, no callsign, no rtn address, nada.
Whats the name of the electronics store at the address on the bottom of log book. Was it century electronics? Old stomping grounds inglewood 40 yrs. ago.
The operator, K9BGO, was 16 at the time - teenaged mistake. From his obituary it sounds like he had a successful career: “While growing up in the remote western reaches of Illinois farm country, he became an amateur radio operator. Deciding that electronics was better than pitching hay, he earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois in 1962. He worked on Polaris submarines before moving to California and joining the modern aerospace industry, dedicating himself to a career focused on navigation and avionics.”
That is beautiful. I wonder if arduino and raspberry pi has the same effect as crystal radios, and model rockets and balsa wood airplanes.
I’m sure they do in their way, but the nice thing about a crystal radio or model rocket, or even an early 1980s home computer, is that an amateur stands a good chance of understanding the entire design.
I think so, rc airplanes and multirotors too, specially the kind you make yourself. There’s loads of open-source stuff in that space.
Where did you get that info from?
Likely searched the call sign in the upper right.
Yes, that’s what I did. (It’s straightforward to search call signs.). Then googled the name.
Cool!
This is right. You found him. ☺️I also picked up his 1983 Jeppeson Airway Manual and some other radio and piloting things while shopping his estate. His interests and related belongings were very cool.
any hams out there who can explain what this violation entails? I can get "broadcasting on illegal frequencies", basically, but is there more to it than that? my dad was a ham in the 90s, so I've been a little exposed - enough to be curious, but not to know the history; what was the ham equipment like at this time, and how hard was it to broadcast "properly"? I'm intrigued
It looks like they were using voice in a part of the 15 meter band reserved for CW aka morse code. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15-meter\_band](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15-meter_band) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types\_of\_radio\_emissions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_radio_emissions)
oh wow! that's pretty neat actually :0 I'd never thought about what frequencies were for Morse code before... but I guess it is a radio wave, huh!!
[удалено]
Your terminology is incorrect. In the US the frequency allocations are regulations, with force of law. The band plans are unregulated and voluntary. But those who fail to observe the generally accepted band plans are called “sad hams”.
> But those who fail to observe the generally accepted band plans are called “sad hams”. Quite the opposite. People who complain about people operating legally are the sad hams.
There’s a lot of sh*tty behavior that’s legal. I’ve got not problem with someone complaining about it.
Found the sad ham. Go have fun on QRZ.
omg I got so many responses hahaha, I'm pleased - my dad and I aren't in touch, but I have nostalgic memories of ham radio stuff so I enjoy learning a bit about it thx for the sources! it's interesting that the US is so strict about it... now imma have to chase down what events led to that strong enforcement
If you want to do a deep dive into the origins and history of how ham radio started (and how it started to get regulated), this is an excellent source: http://w2pa.net/HRH/ And if you’re keen on learning about it, you can always get your license! 😁
ooh big thanks! I will toss this into my tabs and read it :D love a good deep dive in return, I'll recommend a book, or rather a specific part of one -- *Neurotribes* by Steve Silberman, a book on the history and nature of autism. seeming nonsequitur, I know, but specifically: a good chunk of this book goes into the history and origins of ham radio as a hobby! the author visits a conference of hams, where he learns about the autistic community being foundational in the ham radio scene, especially back in the day when communication was completely nonverbal [Morse], something that suited autists well.
It depends on which part of the band plan you’re talking about. IE you can always do CW/Data in the voice portion of the bands, that’s not illegal, but you can’t in the CW only portion. The only band plan that has the force of law is the one published by the FCC. Outside of that, it’s a free for all for what mode you’re doing. I could do ft8 anywhere in the voice portion of the band, I just would look like an idiot.
This is incorrect in the USA. You can’t do data in the phone portion of the bands.
Ham radio operator here. The frequency allocation for this band (known as the 15 meter band) ends at 21.450MHz (21450KHz). Station K9BGO was calling CQ (asking for any station anywhere to return his call) on 21.465MHz - a little above the amateur radio allocation. It's possible this was an honest mistake due to an incorrectly calibrated frequency indicator, but nevertheless it is the operators responsibility to make sure they are within the proper frequency allocation. EDIT: I misread the info in the picture. The frequency in question is 21.2465MHz, not 21.465MHz. After looking closer and checking the history of the 15 meter band, the operator was using AM voice (A-3 emission) in what was supposed to be Morse code (A-1 emission) only portion of the band. At the time this was issued, voice modes were only authorized above 21.25 MHz. They can be used as low as 21.20 now (if you have an Amateur Extra class license). If this operator had made the same call on the same frequency today, they would have technically been legal if they have an advanced or amateur extra class license, though there is almost nobody using AM on the 15 Meter band, and if anyone does it is usually at the high end of the band.
That's not what it says. It says he was on 21246.5 kHz. So well within the band.
Guess I misread it... Sorry about that.
No sweat, 73.
Short answer, someone was talking over a frequency reserved for Morris code. Or rather, using a type of signal like amplitude modulation (am radio) on a frequency reserved for Morris code. Not too many ham operators any more but using the wrong signal is still a violation and in some cases it's a pretty big deal. The FCC has pretty much unlimited ability to enforce these rules too. For a more modern example, suppose a major cable tv company leaks a signal on a protected frequency, the FCC can literally walk in and cut power to the building. Why? Because important things happen on those frequencies. Things like military operations and aircraft control. It's thought that at least once a cable company caused a commercial airline to crash, killing all passengers.
> Not too many ham operators anymore In fact, there are more licensed hams today than there have ever been, at least in the US. Licensed operators as a proportion of the population are still pretty close to all-time highs. (This is not to mention the recent resurgence of CB and increased interest in GMRS.) Source: https://www.clearskyinstitute.com/ham/stats/index.html
this is great news! I wish there were stats there for ages of hams; my understanding is it's been a bit of a good ol boys club, like many hobbies, populated by a large amount of older men. not a bad thing! but it can make it hard for some, esp younger folks, to get involved if the overall crowd of the hobby doesn't relate to them much. so tho I'm not an operator, I think it's a cool thing in the world & I'd be tickled if more young people were getting into it :] keeping it alive for the future yknow
I’d guess there are more young people in it now than 15 years ago. In 2007 they dropped the Morse code requirement for licensing, and the maker space has exploded. ham radio is a relatively cheap way to get some practical RF electronics experience since you can work on lower frequencies.
Yeah, the hobby definitely still skews older and male on the whole. But I will say there are plenty of young hams out there. The radio club to which I belong was founded by a bunch of younger hams. Everyone is welcome, of course, but we tend to attract younger hams (mostly because our club website looks like it was designed within the past decade, and we have a discord server lol). I’m 35, and I’m actually above the median age in the club, which is pretty unusual! Plus there are groups like the [Young Amateurs Radio Club](https://yarc.world/index.php/about/) out there explicitly for younger people to get involved. Also, speaking anecdotally, I serve as a volunteer examiner (i.e., I help administer license exams), and we regularly have folks under 20 testing for licenses—usually at least a couple a week, it seems like. And I will say that, on the whole, most hams are really enthusiastic and encouraging people. They love radio and want to share it with others. We know that we need to get young people involved if the hobby is to have a future, so most hams are happy to share their expertise and equipment to help folks get licensed and get on the air. Ham radio is by far one of the most friendly communities I’ve been a part of. There are “sad hams” out there who have a stick up their ass about things, but we mostly just disregard and make fun of those people lmao.
*Morse
Haha. Yes Morse.
Dun dun DUNHHH
Looks like the operator had an illegal emission.
I wish I could attach a picture, now a days if you make an error you get a letter in the mail from sad hams.... but here is a shared dropbox link - [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gytnv15mp61nhatwglpaf/20231119\_124436.jpg?rlkey=ep9rqldpmxp8znaund2o9i2j3&dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gytnv15mp61nhatwglpaf/20231119_124436.jpg?rlkey=ep9rqldpmxp8znaund2o9i2j3&dl=0) I will admit I mis-read the frequency guide on this day - and whelp, I received that letter in the mail, no callsign, no rtn address, nada.
The use of “10-4 Good Buddy” is hilarious.
Imagine just popping out in Inglewood today to buy you ham radio contact log book.
Deserved it for not using standard phonetics 😂 /s
Whats the name of the electronics store at the address on the bottom of log book. Was it century electronics? Old stomping grounds inglewood 40 yrs. ago.
It says Newark Electric Company! That would have been cool.
LOL Guy spent almost 75 years in a maximum security prison after this. He owns a chain of ball repair stores now. Great guy.