W4MY

Episode 536 - Marty Young - W4MY

Marty Young, W4MY, is a lifelong amateur radio operator whose 50-year journey began with a simple shortwave receiver as a child and grew into a deep passion for CW operation, homebrewing, and portable radio in the outdoors. From building his first Heathkit HW-16 as a teenager to leading roles in clubs, contesting, and Parks on the Air, Marty represents the classic self-taught ham who never stopped learning. His story reflects persistence, curiosity, and a hands-on approach to radio that has carried him from the early days of Morse code and QSL cards to modern portable operations and mentoring new operators today.

Show Notes

Sponsor Transcription

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People

• Marty Young, W4MY — North Carolina amateur operator, POTA activator, and NCQP chair -- https://www.qrz.com/db/W4MY
• Eric Guth, 4Z1UG — Israeli amateur operator and QSO Today podcast host -- https://www.qrz.com/db/4Z1UG
• Fin Gold, NC4FG — North Carolina amateur operator active in Raleigh-area club leadership -- https://www.qcwa.org/nc4fg-36980.htm

Places

• Jupiter, Florida — Marty’s hometown and early amateur-radio starting point -- https://www.jupiter.fl.us/
• Orlando, Florida — City where Marty attended college and operated actively -- https://www.orlando.gov/Home
• Raleigh, North Carolina — Area tied to Marty’s club and contest activity -- https://raleighnc.gov/

Organizations, Events & Publications

• ARRL — National association for amateur radio in the United States -- https://www.arrl.org/
• QST — Monthly ARRL journal covering equipment, projects, and amateur-radio news -- https://www.arrl.org/qst
• Parks on the Air — Portable operating program from qualifying public parks -- https://parksontheair.com/
• ARRL Field Day — Annual on-the-air operating and emergency-preparedness event -- https://www.arrl.org/field-day
• North Carolina QSO Party — State QSO party focused on contacts with North Carolina stations -- https://ncqsoparty.org/
• Maritime Mobile Service Network — Long-running HF net serving maritime mobile stations -- https://www.mmsn.org/

Equipment

• Heathkit HW-16 — Novice HF transceiver kit used for Marty’s first station -- https://www.rigpix.com/heathkit/hw16.htm
• Heathkit HW-101 — Hybrid HF transceiver kit Marty later built and used -- https://www.rigpix.com/heathkit/hw101.htm
• Heathkit HW-8 — QRP CW transceiver Marty restored for possible retro POTA use -- https://www.rigpix.com/heathkit/hw8.htm
• Elecraft K2 — HF transceiver Marty used for portable operation -- https://elecraft.com/products/k2-the-classic-hf-transceiver-full-kit
• Yaesu FTDX10 — HF/50 MHz SDR transceiver Marty uses for Field Day and POTA -- https://www.yaesu.com/product-detail.aspx?CatName=HF+Transceivers%2FAmplifiers&Model=FTDX10
• Hallicrafters twin set — Classic Hallicrafters transmitter/receiver station Marty saw at his Elmer’s shack -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallicrafters
• Henry linear amplifier — RF power amplifier Marty recalled in Bill Asbury’s station -- https://henryradio.com/

Modes & Bands

• CW — Morse-code operating mode central to Marty’s amateur-radio life -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_wave
• RTTY — Text-based digital mode Marty used during his active years -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioteletype
• Single-sideband modulation — Voice mode discussed as part of modern amateur radio -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-sideband_modulation
• PSK Reporter — Digital-mode reception reporting tool mentioned in propagation discussion -- https://pskreporter.info/

Antennas

• Dipole antenna — Basic wire antenna Marty built from Heathkit instructions -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipole_antenna
• SteppIR — Amateur-antenna manufacturer referenced in Marty’s portable antenna discussion -- https://consumer.steppir.com/
• CrankIR — Portable vertical antenna system Marty referenced as a performance benchmark -- https://consumer.steppir.com/media_category/crankir/
• Inverted V antenna — Wire antenna Eric said he uses from Israel — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipole_antenna#Inverted-V_antenna

Certificates & Licenses

• Amateur Radio Service — U.S. amateur licensing service discussed throughout Marty’s licensing story -- https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service
• Commercial Radio Operator License Program — FCC commercial operator credentials Marty earned for technical work -- https://www.fcc.gov/commercial-radio-operator-license-program

Companies & Institutions

• Pratt & Whitney — Aerospace manufacturer where James Duke worked as an electronics technician -- https://www.rtx.com/en/prattwhitney
• University of Central Florida — University Marty attended for electrical engineering in Orlando -- https://www.ucf.edu/
• Martin Marietta — Aerospace company where Marty worked after college -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Marietta

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