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W1YL

5/21/2016

9 Comments

 

Episode 094 - Ellen White - W1YL

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If the title, "Grande Dame" of amateur radio, could be applied to a US ham operator, it would have to be awarded to Ellen White, W1YL, who has more than seventy years in the hobby. Entering her ninth decade, Ellen is still active on 40 meter CW.  Ellen's ham radio story begins as a love story and only gets better.  W1YL joins Eric, 4Z1UG, in this episode of QSO Today. 
Show Notes
Transcript
Listen to Podcast
First Elmer and  husband:​ Bob White,  W6QEZ, later became W1CW

This interview with Ellen White, W1YL, of QSO Today was recorded on, April 27th, 2016,  the 225th birthday of Samuel Finlay Breese Morse, inventor of the "Morse Code"

The War Course - New York Public Schools offered “war courses” during WW2. The Morse Code was one of the offerings.

Ellen's wedding gift from new husband:
  • ARRL License Manual  
  • Terman's Principles of Engineering.

Amateur Radio during World War II

Melville Radio Institute

Radio Amateur Class B exam

First License:  W2RBU Class B, upgrade to Class A within the year

Commercial Licenses:
  • ​First Class Radiotelephone 
  • Second Class Radiotelegraph

First Rig:
  • Homebrew 6L6 Transmitter, 40 meter CW, transmitter neutralized with a Penny
  • RME-45B  Receiver
  • VFO - Millen variarm
Later rig:
Collins 32V2 Transmitter

Current Rig:  Elecraft K3/0.  A K3 remote control head that allows remote control of a K3 station over IP.  Ellen operates the W7RN contest station, near Reno, Nevada.  

US Civil Aviation Administration

Hawaii Cruise Ship LurLine - arrives in Hawaii, 1953
 
Institute Radio Engineers (IRE), predecessor of today's IEEE,

Clint DeSoto, W1CBD...... editor of 200 meters and Down

ARRL President at that time, George Bailey, W2KH

Ellen's previous ham calls:
  • Hawaii,  KH6QI
  • California, W6YYM

Worked as Station Engineer, KPOA,

San Diego State College

ARRL, San Diego Section Communications Manager.

"Mr. Ham Radio", Ed Handy, W1BDI

ARRL DXCC Award

cartoonist Gil, W1CJD

First Class CW Operators Club, 50 years ago

Jim White,  K4OJ (SK) founder of the well-known Florida Contest Group, and Ellen’s son.

“Ham radio pervaded just about every facet of my life, including recording QST Magazine monthly for the Library of Congress” - Ellen White, W1YL

David Sumner, K1ZND, then, K1ZZ now

1992 Hurricane Andrew

Florida Contest Group - Contest group founded by Bob White, W1CW (sk) and his son, Jim, K4OJ (sk), Ellen’s husband and son.  

Nepal Amateur Radio Club,  Satish Krishna Kharel, 9N1AA​​

The RSS Feed for all audio content from QSO today is available from here. 
​​
​Please join our QSO Today community by pressing the button below. It is the best way to suggest guests and topics, and provide feedback to Eric, 4Z1UG.
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RME-45B Receiver
​with both standard and VHF VFO
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​Millen Variarm Electron-Coupled Oscillator
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Ellen White, Station Engineer, KPOA, Hawaii
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Ellen's current operating position using the K3/0, controlling W7RN in Nevada from Florida
9 Comments
XCVRBuilder
5/29/2016 11:50:36 am

What an amazing & inspiring story! Ellen, you are a breath of fresh air and model ham radio operator. As a newer ham (< 2 years), I am very inspired to hear your story and how ham radio has played such an incredible role in your life. CW is my favorite mode too. :) I wish you all the very best RST's, Ellen. Thank you very much for taking time to share with us. Bless you.

Reply
Rick Barnich
6/4/2016 04:21:51 pm

Eric,
This is the best QSO Today yet!
Unbelievable lady. Hope I'm half that technology aware at 90.

Reply
Eric 4Z1UG
6/5/2016 11:27:39 am

Me too!

Reply
Wayne Overbeck (N6NB) link
6/7/2016 02:30:51 am

Eric, that was a marvelous interview with the "grand dame" of amateur radio. It's astonishing to think of her rotating stacked Yagis on 40 meters as she works Asian DX at speeds over 40 words per minute--at age 90. It was wonderful to re-live her 70 years in amateur radio and to remember her work as THE pioneering woman with an extra and a first phone ticket at ARRL HQ, starting in the 1950s.

Reply
Eric 4Z1UG
6/8/2016 01:29:23 am

Thanks, Wayne. I am in awe of her accomplishments and character.

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Neil - K6KWI
6/20/2016 07:21:34 pm

Eric, I have listened to almost everyone of your interviews.... This is simply one of the best I have heard. The hour went way to fast. I have such admiration for Ellen on so many different levels! She just makes you want to do better in the hobby & in life! Thanks for what you do.

Reply
Michael Armstrong
11/19/2016 08:02:27 pm

Was just thinking of Ellen today. Never met a more accomplished CW operator, great sense of humor. Once again I'm inspired to get my code speed over 3 wpm. Mike, K2 Radio Dog Biscuits.

Reply
bob hopkins wb2udc
9/4/2017 09:42:57 am

So enjoyed the conversation. Ellen is a true ham and has inspired many, including me, with her professional approach to our amateur hobby. Her work with Amsat and NASA was critical to some of my radio adventures!

Reply
Daniel
11/4/2019 07:26:48 am

Que maravilla.Felicitaciones SEÑORA ojalá algún día adquiera parte de su conocimiento. Amo radiaficcion.

Reply



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