Two things should be noted. My radio mentor took nothing away from my father, who did a wonderful job of teaching me many of life's most important lessons along with Ohm's law and AC theory. My father was not an amateur radio operator. Also, I choose to refer to my ham radio mentor as exactly that. "Elmer" was not a term used for that purpose in those days, and besides -- my mentor's name was Hal.

The W3LVK operating position in early 1961. Note the signal monitoring oscilloscope and recently added SSB generator (Central Electronics 20A) with VFO on the top shelf. Also, a home brew phone patch (located between the Valiant and NC-300) was a popular item at that time.

Having a very early interest in things electrical and communications, by age 10, a great part of my time was spent trying to separate two strong local stations and listening for AM DX in the evening on my crystal set. Occasionally, the reception was interrupted by one part of an obvious two-way conversation. The perpetrator was a gentleman who identified himself as W3LVK. Scouring the neighborhood, I located a house with a wire strung between a tall oak tree and a guyed pole. From the center of the wire, a type of ladder line was connected to the house. One summer evening I found the homeowner working on his lawn. After mustering up some courage, I approached him and inquired as to whether he might be W3LVK. His response was positive and he invited me to visit when I next heard him on the radio. A few days later, I found myself knocking on his radio room window and I was introduced to the world of amateur radio. The ladder line was connected through an E. F. Johnson Matchbox tuner to a National NC-300 receiver and an E. F. Johnson Viking Valiant transmitter. He was in contact with someone many miles away and urged me to say hello. This activity was definitely for me!

Hal (Harold S. Bates) was many years my senior. To me, for many years to come, he would be referred to as "Mr. Bates" and I avoided calling him "Hal" on the air. He and his wife had a grown son and a few grandchildren who lived in a neighboring state. He was employed as a broadcast transmitter engineer for a local 50 kW AM station WRCV (now KYW-1060) and worked shifts. As I was to discover, his electronic background was quite varied. He was an avid experimenter and craftsman. His dedicated operating position was always neat. A workbench, which spanned the entire length of his radio room, was also quite orderly with many pieces of test equipment at the ready. From his operating ability (high speed CW and phone) to the maintenance of his working areas, he set a fine example for a soon-to-be ham.

For me, the Bates' would become somewhat like adopted grandparents. I spent many hours with Hal at his workbench and rig. My paper route delivery pattern was modified to allow me to finish at their home, giving us time to talk before having to return home for supper at 6 p.m. each evening. Technical talk, many times, turned into "show and tell" at the workbench. Books, to follow up on our talks, were made available to me. I experimented at his shack and at my home with everything from an acorn tube VHF receiver to extended double Zepp antennas. Time was occasionally spent at his workplace, learning about the broadcast transmitter. There was also a visit to the station studio in Philadelphia. He took me to the local radio parts vendors and surplus houses where he introduced me to many of his acquaintances. Over a period of two plus years, I listened to CW on various receivers and learned to send on a code practice oscillator. During that time, I acquired Hal's ham band only NC-300 receiver (he purchased a Hammarlund HQ-180). He always told me "If you can't hear them, you can't work them. Get the best receiver you can."

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During the summer of 1961, Hal informed me that he and his wife would be taking an extended vacation in Florida during the following winter. They would be retiring the following year and wanted to investigate the area around Clearwater. Hal informed me that he would like to be able to stay in touch with me and would be happy to administer the novice exam. That license however was very limited with respect to HF privileges. His ultimate suggestion was somewhat surprising: "Go to the FCC office in Philadelphia and take the general exam. You should be able to pass it." The general ticket in those days had full amateur privileges. He was correct; I passed it the first time. When I told him of my success, we went to his workbench and he presented me with a porcelain form coil and capacitor set that he demonstrated with a grid dip oscillator as being resonant on the 40 meter band. I built a VFO and, along with a doubler and amplifier circuit, a 20 meter CW transmitter was born. The very day after my ticket arrived (in those days, you had to wait for the mail), Hal and his wife departed for Florida. I have always been particularly happy that my first QSO was with Hal at his rented vacation home in Safety Harbor, Florida.

The author at his home station. Due, no doubt, to his mentor's example, he has used an oscilloscope to monitor his HF transmissions since he was first licensed.

The Bates' established permanent residence in Dunedin, Florida in retirement. His new callsign became WA4FIU ("It's awful but I guess it's gotta be," he stated to me on a postcard), which later was changed to W4OIN. He was the founding president of the Quarter Century Wireless Association Gator Chapter 32 in 1965. I had many scheduled contacts with him over the years, from my duty stations in the U.S. Navy to home locations before and after my six years of military service. I even had the opportunity to visit him on a few occasions. Unfortunately, we lost touch in the1980s. I regret that to this day. In late 1991, I learned that he had passed away earlier that year.

The influence that Hal had on my life and career was profound. Now, as in the past, while I pursue the challenges of my vocation and avocation, I am frequently reminded of the many concepts that we discussed. To Hal's credit, many old timers complimented me, in my youth, on my operating style. I am convinced that the time I spent under his tutelage gave me a seasoned air for a youngster. It is gratifying to note that the QCWA Gator Chapter occasionally presents the "Special Chapter Meritorious Services Award" created in 1995 to honor his memory. His graciousness and goodwill apparently touched many others. It is with great pleasure that I present this essay as a tribute to such a fine radio mentor.

Ray Kiesel, K3RIZ, operates various modes from HF to 70cm, both fixed and mobile. He is employed by Ai, Acrodyne Industries, and has been involved in the development and design of television transmitters for over 30 years. Ray spends much of his time teaching and mentoring as part of his professional and amateur activities. He can be reached at 1023 Poplar Street, Lansdale, PA 19446 or k3riz@arrl.net.

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