NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 25, 2004--As a youngster, Scott Morrison became fascinated with Amateur Radio by watching his grandfather, Wilbur Morrison, W6OSD, operating his equipment in his ham shack. The younger Morrison's exposure to ham radio led him to become a US Army radio operator, but he never got his Amateur Radio license. Unfortunately, by the time Morrison left the service, his grandfather had died, leaving him without a mentor--or Elmer--to help him pursue his interest in ham radio.
Just by chance, however, he came across the ARRL Web site, and he was able to search for a club in his area. Morrison contacted the Vaca Valley Radio Club and was referred to Bob Hewitt, K6HEW. A ham since 1952, Hewitt is active in several clubs including the Vaca Valley and Trilogy Radio clubs. It wasn't long before Hewitt had Morrison attending meetings at Vaca Valley and studying the license manual. Hewitt took Morrison to an Amateur Radio license examination session at Trilogy Radio Club, where he passed the Technician license test.
But Hewitt's Elmering did not stop there. When Morrison wanted to buy his first radio, Hewitt helped demystify all of the jargon. "He even helped me program the radio and he helped me through the fear of the first transmission," said Morrison. With Hewitt's guidance Morrison was able to get the vanity call W6OSD--the call sign of his grandfather and original ham radio mentor.
While Morrison currently enjoys FM and repeaters, he's working on upgrading to General, so he can chase DX. His US Army experiences with HF SSB and RTTY had fueled his appetite for HF DX. In addition, his wife now is studying for her Technician license.
"I can honestly say that without Bob Hewitt, I probably would never have become an Amateur radio operator," Morrison said. "I just want to thank him for making my childhood dream become a reality. Thank you K6HEW!"
In addition to serving as an ARRL East Bay Assistant Section Manager, Hewitt is vice president of the Vaca Valley Radio Club, an ARRL-VEC volunteer examiner and an advisor to the Trilogy Radio Club. He's also involved with the Solano County Office of Emergency Services.
"The Amateur Radio community is very fortunate to have members like Bob Hewitt, who not only donate time to serve their club and community but take the time to help one person achieve a lifelong desire of getting an Amateur Radio license," said ARRL Affiliated Club/Mentor Program Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ.
If you have a similar story to tell, write and tell us what that Elmer has done that goes above and beyond the ordinary. Send your information to Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, ARRL Field and Educational Services, W3IZ@arrl.org.
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