Sam is our 9RN specialist who goes to 9RN early session about every night of the month. Sam lives on Sugar Camp Farm on Preston Highway in Shepherdsville, and has been a ham for many years.

He entered the United States Army at age 24 at Fort Knox, in the year 1939. Before that time he had received training in electronics and CW at Louisville Tech. He was trained in code under the Candler System, which was a popular method of learning the code. He became a ham in 1937 as W9OGP, later to become W4OGP, when KY changed call areas.

Sam spent four and a half years in the army, much of it spent in the African and European Campaigns. Sam reports that CW is still CW, even in a tank, so his ham license fit right in with his military duty. Sam did not say too much on the questionaire about his military service, but he did say "Ask about Anzio, and I will follow you around all day." I am taking the liberty of reprinting an article he wrote called "Long Lines" which was printed in the November 1993 KYN Newsletter.

Sam received his Commercial Ticket in 1938, and after the war worked at AM Broadcast Radio Station WAVE for 40 years. As far as the traffic handling, Sam was active on KYN as early as 1938-39, and also has operated the Hit and Bounce NET, MCN long haul late night net, The Early Bird Net, and operation from the Red Cross and DES headquarters. In recent years, he has become the stalwart liaison station to early 9RN.

I kept hearing over the last few years about this special bug that Sam has. Listening to his great fist on the air, I thought it must certainly be special. After receiving Sam's filled out questionnaire, and seeing the bug mentioned where I asked about interesting stories, I asked him for more info and perhaps a picture. Sam was happy to oblige, so we have the scoop and picture direct from him: THE FAMOUS BUG!
Sam Rhea, W4OGP, on the right with K4AVX, KYN Manager.

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