K8HSY

Episode 032 - Ron MiLliman - K8HSY

Beginning as a short wave listener on his parents Zenith general coverage receiver and later to a Knight Kit Ocean Spanner, Ron Milliman, K8HSY was hooked on radio. Having a supportive father and a great set of elmers and friends led Ron on an amateur radio journey that has lasted over 60 years. The loss of most of Ron's eyesight, as a result of a childhood illness, did not stop Ron from getting his first licenses with a group of school friends, building his own gear and antennas, operating, and eventually becoming a professor and entrepreneur.  Ron joins Eric, 4Z1UG, on QSO Today to tell his ham radio story. 

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First License: KN8HSY, 1957, Age 13

Other call signs: W7GPF, AC4HM

First Rig: Homebrew 6L6 Transmitter, Hallicrafters S38

Elmers:  

• George Wood, a father of one of Ron's friends created study group to learn the Novice.
  
• Leo Brandt, W8AJM,
  
• Bob Besser
  

Michigan School for the Blind - closed in 1995. Began in 1915.  The building is a landmark. The school encouraged Ron and his friends to obtain their amateur radio licenses. 

Resources for Blind Hams:

• Kenwood Communications - equipment most friendly for people with visual impairments. 
  
• Auditory Gimmick - created by Robert Gunderson, W2JIO, to allow blind hams to "read" transmitter meters. 
  
• “Amateur Radio and the Blind”, By Butch Bussen, WA0VJR, QST Magazine, Oct 1987
  
• Ham Radio and Vision - for Blind and Vision Impared Ham Radio Operators - website by Peter DeNeef, AE7PD, lots of resources and links to radios and equipment for blind operators.  
  
• American Council for Blind Amateur Radio Operators 
  
• Courage Kenny Handiham Program  
  

Current Rig: Kenwood TS590 on an 80 meter loop antenna with antenna tuner
Kenwood TM-V71A Dual Band VHF/UHF 

Favorite Operating Mode:  CW and SSB

Ham Awards: DXCC, over 300 countries confirmed

Once was a partner in a FM Broadcast Station - KMMD Mesa, Arizona

Articles by Ronald Milliman:

• Using Background Music to Affect the Behavior of Supermarket Shoppers, Ronald Milliman
  
• Getting Started on 6 Meters
  
• Profile of Ron Milliman, Professor and Entrepreneur
  

Advice to new hams:  Study the history of ham radio

• http://www.arrl.org/ham-radio-history
  
• This is Ham Radio  - early video on the history of ham radio from the ARRL. 

Old Time Transmitter Kits  

• http://pastimeprojects.com/transmitterkits.html
  
• TT1A 2 Band CW transmitter kit
  
• 6V6 Transmitter Kit
  

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Hallicrafters S38 Receiver

6L6 and 5U4 Transmitter

Kenwood TS-590S
This rig talks to blind amateurs for every setting

Kenwood TM-V71A Dual Band UHF/VHF

Zenith 12A58 Floor Model Console Radio