N5CFM G. 'Skip' Amis Edmond, OK QCWA # 32341 Chapter 63

Hello and thanks for stopping by - and Welcome! Before we get started, I QSL 100% and DO NOT NEED AN SASE. REAL HAMS DO NOT NEED ONE, unless you're on a DX-pedition, a very rare station, or a special case! This is one of my pet peeves -by having to send a SASE to the continental 48 states to get a QSL. If you cannot afford a postage stamp - you can always sell weinersnitchzels!

Now that this is over and done with, I'm a retired social psychologist and theologian, having devoted over 30 years to those "hallowed halls of academia." I'm currently a Member of I.O.O.F Edmond Lodge #12, P.N.G.; Lexington Masonic Lodge #72; OES #67; Guthrie Scottish Rite Consistory; York Rite Chapter, Council. And regardless of my credentials, where ever I go I still have to pay for my own coffee! What a deal!

My interest in amateur radio began in 1955. My Dad, a Major in the Army, was stationed in occupied Europe and often there was not a lot for me to do. The television reception was lousy, we were living in a French hotel awaiting placement in base housing, as a result I was bored stiff most of the time. One day, Dad brought home a Zenith Transoceanic to keep me occupied and get me out of his and my Mother's hair. I was in hog heaven; for seemingly to me, the entire world was at my fingertips. There was Radio Free Europe (RFE), the Armed Forces Network (AFN), the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and when the bands opened up, I could receive American broadcast stations.

Then, there were those weird 'beep-beep' sounds coming from certain segments of the dial, which after some inquiry the wonderful world of Morse Code entered into my life. As an eight-year old stranded in a French hotel, how was I to learn what those strange sounds meant? On the Army base there were radio operators who were more than willing to help, also we had a scout chapter which offered a ham radio merit badge. So, I began to learn a little bit about Morse Code which remained with me throughout my life. In 1959, we were transferred stateside and my radio interests were replaced with many other activities - hot rods, motorcycles, and girls!

About 1971, I had purchased a used 3 channel CB, antenna, hooked it up in my bedroom, and WOW! I was on the air! Modern technology had come into my life; but to my chagrin, I did not receive the warm and hearty welcome that I had expected, as I had heard between the ham operators while I was in Europe years ago. I was promptly told to get my '...' off the air; that is until I had obtained Citizen Band (CB) license, and in no uncertain terms was I to return until I did!' I apologized profusely for offending everyone; including God, the Pope, and every royal deity from around the world. Before I signed off and being very inquisitive by nature; I ask how I was to obtain 'this CB license?' I suppose the way I handled things caused the other operators to find some sort of sensical humor in my query, and they gave me the needed information.

It wasn.t long before I was granted the CB call sign of KFK 0180. I eventually became quite involved with the wonderful, wacky world Citizens Band Radio and even adopted a 'handle;' Double Eagle, (which is my given Native American name.) After several years, I became tired, frustrated, and felt there was something really lacking in this new-found radio hobby. In actuality, I was just plain bored; I ran of things to do. For legally, you are so limited to what you expect out of the CB cabala.

Then, a wonderful Christian man named, Buddy Luce, WD5FRB, aka; Ferb, came into my life. He owned a used car lot in Alvin, Texas, loved Collin gear, building Heath kit gear, and he had his ham shack located in his car lot office. At the time, I was working at a commercial two-way shop, when one day I went into his office to buy a car. It wasn.t that long before Ferb and I became great friends. One day, he brought up the topic of CW and asked if I could copy any code. I'd been listening to some code tapes for a while to brush up on from my previous years in Europe. He gave me a note pad and pencil, then began took out his Heathkit keyer and began to send me a message in CW. He had a TV in his office I was watching it at the time. When he finished sending the message to me, he wondered why I didn't copy anything down. I told him what I had heard what he had sent, and then he asked me to write it down for him. To my amazement, I had just passed my Element 1 Novice CW code requirement. He told me that he was going to send off for my Novice written exam!

On December 19, 1979, I was granted a station license, KA5HDM. After that Buddy liked to affectionately call me, the 'Hot Dog Man.' A few months later, I upgraded to my current call sign, N5CFM; and Buddy re-named me, the 'Chicken Fried Mouse.' The .CFM. has been around for a while; and I hope to keep it a little bit longer, and I have never thought about changing it.

Also, I'm custodian of the NV5V, The CW Memorial Club. The call sign, NV5V, is from a dear friend, now a SK. Tom Shultz, was one of my best friends, for I was his Elmer. He passed away due to cancer. He had come out of the 11-meter band to be a ham after coming over to my house one night over 40 years ago. Tom saw my ham station set up in my front room.

There was a Kenwood TS-520 with a Commodore Vic 20 computer hooked up to it. I was working CW at the time on a Vibroplex bug and it caught Tom's eye and ear. Tom took to CW like a duck goes to water. He began studying to obtained his ham license. Within a year, he could head copy over 40 wpm. He loved to work packet and CW DX. After he passed away, I found out that his call sign had not been cancelled. His widow graciously allowed for me to have it for our club station call sign. Tom will always be remembered by many of his close friends, especially me.

In closing, my main interests are Low Band A1 (CW) and A3J (SSB), with my goals are to accomplish both 5BWAS CW/SSB; and maybe 5BWAS Angel Music (AM). I enjoy QRP construction, key restoration, vintage WWII rigs, and I believe REAL RADIOS GLOW IN THE DARK!

Currently, as of 1 July 2018 I was elected to the office of National President of the Old, Old timers Club [OOTC.] I had formerly served as the QCWA, Central Oklahoma Chapter 63 'Prez' and was Net Manager over the W5AS, K5DLE, and W5HXL Nets. In the past, I've served as chapter Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The W5AS Net meets on 3913 KHz every Sunday morning at 0730 hrs. The K5DLE Net meets on 146.790 MHz every Tuesday at 1900 hrs. The W5HXL Net meets on 146.790 MHz every Thursday at 1900 hrs. If you're on the air, or in the area, feel free to drop by and check in! You're always more than welcome.

"If you can read this, thank a teacher;
since it is in English, thank a soldier!"
blessings - Skip Amis, N5CFM, PhD, DMin, DDiv, MDiv.

< ' )))>< Proudly serving those who serve since 1973.,

So until then, I wish you a - VY 47/73

QCWA Life Member #32341 ARRL Life Member
VE for ARRL & W5YI; A1-OP; W5YI #2357:
Ham/Commercial Licenses; 4SQRP # 12311
GERATOL #2301; FISTS #12627; NAQCC #0745
10-10 #73840 & Life Member; SKCC #6119.
OOTC # 4598; FLYING PIGS #FP-1179
U.S.Navy,1965-'66; U. S. Merchant Marines,1973-'79.

May 3, 2019