Jack Schmidling, K9ACT
(formerly KN9ACT, 1955)

With the help of then W9GNA who elmered me and gave me the Novice test in 1955, I got on the air on May 28, 1955.

I still have the log book and I called CQ at 6:01 PM and was answered by WN9JHX, Jim Jensen. I believe this was a scheduled deal because he was a friend and neighbor and I recall CQ'ing for hours with no response first.

The first real QSO was the following day at 1:45 PM. Called CQ and WN9YGN came back with an ego crusher.... "so lid" and I was devastated and aside from his name, Al, that is the end of the entry. No QTH.

Looking over my notes later, I realized the blunder... he wasn't calling me a lid. I have run into several hams who relate the same scenario.

My first rig was a 6AQ5 single tube Xtal osc and a 40 meter dipole. The receiver was an S38 and I drooled over my elmer's S40B.

Soon I added a 6L6 and then an 807 and putzed around with a lot of other stuff that never really worked but it was great fun.

I have been off the air more than on over the years but recently got on again and became obsessed with AM and got into it big time.

The rest of my story is at http://schmidling.com/radio.htm

The QSL card displayed here is an updated version of my original Walter Ashe Novice card.

73 Jack K9ACT