Dave Walker and his wife, Peg, live in a villa on the Browning Masonic Community Campus. Besides Peg, his continuing passion and long-standing hobby is amateur radio. Amateur radio operators have been communicating across oceans and continents for over 100 years.
In the early 1950’s, during Dave’s time as a Cub Scout Master, a co-leader asked Dave to join him in learning Morse code as a prelude to becoming an amateur radio operator. By 1954, Dave had learned enough code to pass the “Novice License” test which meant he could communicate via code over the radio within the local area. As his skill with Morse code grew, so did his enthusiasm for his new-found hobby. He quickly earned his “General Class License.” Now Dave could use a microphone and talk with hobbyists all over the country.
Dave explained that the power needed to operate his radio is equal to ¼ of a watt to transmit, not a lot of power needed to have a lot of fun! There are over 300,000 amateur radio operators in the United States alone. To date, Dave has talked to people all over the world, including one memorable conversation with an ancestor of Fletcher Christian (Mutiny on the Bounty) on Pitcairn Island! By calling “CQ,” Dave can talk to anyone who is listening at that moment, anywhere in the world. The possibilities are endless!
Dave belongs to the “Quarter Century Wireless Association,” which is a world-wide organization. You must have held a license for 25 years to belong to this national group. He is also a member of the American Radio League out of Washington, D.C. which is considered the “voice of amateur radio in the world”.
For 60 years, Dave Walker has enjoyed his hobby and he continues to enjoy it every day. He is looking forward to the new technology currently being developed that will allow you to not only converse with, but to see the person with whom you are speaking!
