Dick Newsome, W0HXL
(formerly KN8GSV, 1957)

I was 16 years old and received my Novice license in July of 1957. My call was KN8GSV and I put Otsego, MI. on the air. I studied the ARRL "How To Become A Radio Amateur" manual and learned CW with a door bell buzzer, batteries, and a straight key. I did not have an elmer.

My first transmitter was a homebrew 6AG7 oscillator, 5Y3 rectifier, built from the 1956 ARRL Handbook. It ran 7 to 10 watts on 80 and 40 meters (I still have the transmitter). My antenna was a Gotham V80 vertical and the receiver was a National NC-88. My crystals were 3.711, 3.723, 3.731, 3.741, 7.155, 7.173, and 7.189 Megacycles.

While still a Novice, I built a Heathkit DX-20 transmitter and traded the NC-88 in for a new Hallicrafters SX-100 receiver. Boy, did that receiver have selectivity and gain!!  I could separate all those cw signals on 80 and 40 meters and copy was much easier.

I received my General ticket in November of 1958 as K8GSV and operated from Otsego until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in August of 1959. I spent 4 years in SAC with the USAF and worked in communications (teletype, crypto, and SSB radio).

I met my wife, Sharon, while stationed at SAC Headquarters near Omaha, NE. After serving a 2 year tours of duty in England, we returned to civilian life in Omaha. I then became W0HXL in August of 1963.

The Novice license gave me an interest in electronics and communications which led to good training and experience in the USAF. It also led to an excellent 28 year career with the Xerox Corporation, where I retired as a Field Engineer.

That Novice year was very exciting with cw qso's and listening to Sputnik on 20 Megacycles in October of 1957. What a great way to get started in amateur radio!! I have been continuously licensed since my Novice ticket arrived in July of 1957.

73,

   Dick Newsome W0HXL

   (formerly KN8GSV, K8GSV)

   QCWA Life Member 21440

   Omaha Chapter 210 QCWA