When I learned about amateur “ham” radio, there were no cell phones, no personal computers, and no public internet. If we wanted to communicate with a distant family member or friend, we had to use the telephone, write a letter and mail it, send a telegram, or travel to their location. I imagined how wonderful it would be to be able to talk to others around the via ham radio. So, in 1963 I began learning Morse Code and the rules and regulations the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) required to obtain an amateur radio license.
I was introduced to ham radio by a family that lived nearby. Glenn Grant, WB6GEN, and his son, Harold Grant, WB6GEP, lived down the street from my parent’s home in Stanton, California. Harold and I have remained friends for many, many years.
My brother, Larry Marcum, formally WN6RAZ, KA6GND, now K7GND, also became interested in ham radio and passed his test. Later, our dad, Lloyd “Buster” Marcum, KC6DKO, passed his test, as did Larry’s wife, Bonnie, KC6MIM.
Glenn Grant, Buster Marcum, and Bonnie Marcum are all deceased, which we refer to as being a ‘Silent Key.’
As you can see, our family has a long history in ham radio. We have spent many hours talking to each other using various modes of communications on many different frequencies on multiple ham bands.
If you are interested in ham radio terminology or the radio equipment and antennas I’ve used, you can click on the following links: