The History of the

14.302.5 Truckers International Safety Net

Back in about 1982, W5LYJ (know by many as "Swifty") Started a group on 14.303 MHz. This group became known as "Swifty's Corner".

Swifty lived in a condominium in the Dallas, TX area, and local covenants prevented him from having an antenna at home. His way around this problem was to operate mobile from his white Cadillac. Swifty operated "Swifty's Corner" for about 4 years before he took ill and eventually passed away. When he died a Proclamation was drawn up by W0FJH, Jim Gulbuardson of Albert Lea, Minnesota. This was done November 15. 1986. This Proclamation along with the purpose of the group was signed by over 40  ham operators. Some were base operated (about half) and the rest were mobile. Jim lived in Albert Lea Minnesota along with N0AHH, Leo Mercer, a retired 18-wheel operator and WN0I  Gordon Carlson. All three of these men living there are now retired.

The Swifty's Corner proclamation reads:   

A Tribute to W5LYJ "Swifty"

   A petition has hereby been entered: to wit, that all those within the hearing of my voice please be advised that we, the undersigned, i.e. the "303 GROUP', do declare that henceforth this frequency shall be known as "SWIFTY'S CORNER", and  therefore establish a common bond and also the bringing together of all radio amateurs, new and old, for the exchange of radio communications and personal fellowship. 

Whereas his devotion and diligence, along with his "people-loving" affability and infectious laugh, have nurtured the growth in numbers and fellowship of the aforesaid "GROUP" 

This decree is so ordered on this 15th day of  November 1986, pursuant to the wishes of all the undersigned, and to all others who knew and enjoyed his conversations and personal fellowship on and off 14.303. His call will be truly missed. It is our fervent wish that 14.303 continue as it has in the past--filling a desire for all those who want to "Just QSO, and rag chew".

PROCLAMATION

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

The above with the heading in proper place is followed by this, Our signatures are hereby affixed hereto:

(There followed over 40 ham's signatures)

The group went on and became known as the "303 group". A roster of regular participants in the group was drawn up and can be viewed here.

As time went on, the "group" became more popular and the numbers of participants grew. Long-Haul truckers were fond of the group because of it's casual nature and informal structuring.

I know that you are wondering why this story is describing the 303 group and the web-site is about the 302.5 group. Well, as the story has been told to me, 14.305 wasn't a very comonly used frequency in the days of the 303 group. Thus QRM between theese two frequencies was not an issue. At some point some nets stared to form and use 14.305 as their main frequency. 303 being too close to 305 for good operating, the 303 group moved down to 302. At some point after that move, a group called "the stump jumpers" that had been primairly operating on 14.300 decided that they wanted to move to 14.313 which at that time was the frequency used by the Maritime Mobile Service Net. To avoid the problems that the stump jumpers were causing on 14.313, the Maritime net moved to 14.300. With nets on 300 and 305, the 303 group decided that the best that they could do (due to the lack of other free frequencies) was to split the difference and decided to operate on 14.302.5.

There is more to this story, and will be amended as I have time. Check back.

Thanks, N9XL