Hello Bob, I attached the inscription on the memorial marker at Victoria Springs and I think it will give you a few answers. I am not sure how long Dad was a ham but we have one of his old ham license plates from 1954 so I know it was before that. His call was always W0HQE and his phonetics were "Half Qualified Engineer". Mom also had a novice call and it lapsed before she upgraded but that was before my time and I don't have any record of that either. I don't have a date of Dad's membership to the club but there are pictures of Field Day back in the 50's. I don't know for sure how Big Ed's Popcorn Emporium got started but I know Dad liked popcorn and I am sure there were many others who liked it also. It has been a tradition for as long as I can remember. I am sorry that I am not much help but most of that history went with Mom to Heaven so we will have to wait to find out the details. See you Saturday. 73's, Mark
Annual Victoria Springs Amateur Radio Steak Fry After conversing with each other on amateur radio for several years, Harold Curtis WOERW, and Ed Doehling WOHQE, finally met face to face at Victoria Springs State Recreation Area during the summer of 1960. Ed and his family were camping here at the park, and to celebrate the occasion, he cooked steaks for both families on a charcoal grill. Harold, who had never tasted steaks cooked on a grill before, thought they were the best he had ever had. Harold liked them so much that he asked Ed to come back and grill steaks for a few of their local ham radio friends the next summer. He readily agreed, and a great time was had by everyone who attended. It was so enjoyable, that in 1962 the Central Nebraska Amateur Radio Club became involved. They sent out invitations to all ham radio operators that they could think of, and sixty four people attended this steak fry. Because of rain here at Victoria Springs, this first official ham fest was moved to the Community Hall in Milburn. Since then, the last weekend in July has become the longest running and most prominent annual gathering of amateur radio operators and their families in the State of Nebraska. This monument is dedicated to the memory of Harold and Katherine Curtis, Ed and Lorrayne Doehling, and all others, who have graced this gathering with their presence and are no longer with us. Dedicated July 26, 2009
Page updated 6/21/10