first contact

Saw a picture of a Swan 400 on Face.  We had a Swan 400 in our radio club at Nicolet High School (Glendale WI).  It was used as a receiver, the club president yanked the transmit tubes because I was the only licensed ham at the time and I was a Novice (this was before Novices could use a VFO).

source:  https://rigreference.com/storage/uploads/rigs/68/4122/swan-400.jpg

I remember the visible backlash of the VFO, let go of the dial and then I could see it walk back a little :)

source:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/293672254270

 

 
The transmitter I used at the club was a Johnson Adventurer with crystals.

source: http://www.arrl.org/images/view/Soapbox/image_5.jpeg

And I found my first log:

Al, WA8BVP, the poor man had to listen to me for 50 minutes !

I don't know where the QSL went to, it must be around here somewhere.

It's been close to 50 years now since my first QSO, dang that 50th reunion is 2023 !  Can't believe it.

Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY
http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm