W3NBN, K3YYM, WA3TVG, N3DKT
| April 23, 1974. Where were you then, and what were you doing? Answers will be quite varied, ranging from changing harmonic #?'s diaper to having my diaper changed (yes, we have that broad a range of members)! And then there may be one or two who just then got out of one of the gas lines of '73! But for at least four members of this august group, they were socializing at Ferri's tavern just north of Mt. Pleasant. You see, April 23, 1974 is the official beginning of the Laurel Highlands VHF Society. |
| What followed was a year of intense effort by the founders of the Society. Actually the founding period comprised just less than a year (I know, Doc, it just seems like that year was a lifetime!), culminating in the posting of repeater license WR3AFQ on the "wall" of the repeater "building." "Wall" and "building" are actually stretching it a bit; the first repeater housing consisted of a steel box on a pole in the woods. |
| Who were the movers and shakers in those days? Would you believe that they were pretty much the same movers and shakers of today? |
| And then there was the snafu over the license. We really should let WA3TVG tell it in his own words. How about it Ed? |
| Not a group to rest on its laurels (even though the repeater is surrounded by Bob Frederick's woods of laurel), the Society moved onward and upward. In 197_ we built the present building. Designed by _______ and built by _________ (with help from virtually everyone, so I won't go into a list and forget anyone), we finally had a home for the machine. |
| Or was it machines? Did we have one or two, or was it three? So manny guys were building parts of "the machine" that it was hard to tell at any given time which one they were working on. Then in __________ the Society joined the growing crowd with ...AUTOPATCH! Thanks to Rick, WA3MJY for this gem. Nothing real fancy but it sure worked! |
| And remember those tower-raising "parties"? Seems like there for awhile that thing was going up and down about as often as the ole pump handle. But we got it done. And then TVG would come up with refreshment. How many cans of Krylon did we use to weatherproof those connectors, Art? |
| Traditionally, we held a meeting in the woods each July at the repeater. This was both a business and social meeting, when we would dispense with the business as fast as possible before the mosquitoes got to us, and then have a brew or soda or so before adjourning after dark. |
| July 1977 was no exception. We met at the repeater and had our usual te tete. Although worried that we would get rained out, we were spared. And we wondered who was getting the pounding as we could see the lightning flashing to the east as it got dark. A few hours later, TVG was on his way to Lee Hospital in Johnstown where he waded through water chest high in the corridors. Many from the Society made the trip to Johnstown and provided vital communications for that disaster, a number going for several-day stints. |
| And we cannot forget those summer and winter picnics thanks to Ed and Ruby Briner. What a variety of goodies and a great time, every time. Thanks folks! Of course, even in those days there were coordinators, and the Society may have been first with its picnic coordinator: Usually Claire Ebner, K3VAW. Claire saw to it that we didn't get all baked beans or all desserts. Honest, it actually happened once! |
| What's that funny thing on your belt? Hey, fella, whats your handle and '20? Those were the questions we all got in the good old days. Handies were new on the scene and every non-ham wondered how far you could talk with that thing. We enjoyed watching eyes widen when we'd say, maybe Indiana, PA, or Johnstown, or Morgantown. The eye-popping was usually followed by that get-outta-here look, and then you had to show 'em. |
| And then there was the woman who wanted to know who those funny guys were on late at night who told such funny jokes. Well, that just had to be Fred, K3AFZ and Ralph, K3SHU. Sadly, Fred is now a silent key. Sad to say, Ralph, or Shoe as we all called him after SHU, joined him last year. |
| Did we ever have guests, you say? Well sure thing, om. We had no sooner got .67 perking when VW was announced. The Society sent a letter to VW welcoming any amateur visitors to the area and to our repeater in particular. One such guest was Hans, __________. |
| Then K3FCQ has had several of his friends from Europe stop by as well. Particularly DJ_______ and Doug, G3VXO. |
| So much for the folksy stuff, you say? Okay, so can someone create a chronology and repeater developments for you guys who want to remember just the facts, om? |
|
|
25-th Anniversary | LHVHFS |
|
W3NBN, K3YYM, WA3TVG, N3DKT |
|
|
 New 64-foot tower 2M/440 on top, w/ATV Slot & 6M Side-saddle. |
 Different angle -- before 2nd antenna was mounted. |
 |
|
|
All site photos © 1996, Arthur Barnhart, W3SII, or Denny Kifer, N3QZU. G3XVO photo © 1999, Doug West, G3XVO. Photo of K3FQI and Guests © 2000, Jim Sterbutzel.