History and Background

| home

WB5CYS

This is where it all started for me. Amateur Radio Station WB5CYS. Tom Barton, 408 Fannin St., Center, Texas. Tom (far right in the picture above) was my Elmer. He got me started in amateur radio. Tom was also my beloved Uncle, and he taught me a lot about life. I was so very lucky to have him in my life during my formative years.

Tom was paralized from the neck down in a diving accident in 1945. He was 17 years old at the time. Doctors gave him eight days to live. He died in December of 1978 after 50 years of the fullest life anyone could ever hope to experience. Tom had movement in his neck and in his arms down through his wrists, but not his fingers. Despite this rather significant limitation, he drove his own car, piloted his own boat, was an expert marksman with rifle and shotgun, designed, built and sold custom fishing rods, and operated a very active amateur radio station. Tom taught me how to hunt, fish, water ski - so many different wonderful activities. Despite spending 33 years confined to a wheelchair, he loved life and life loved him.

Tom was active during the 1970's on 3.930 Mhz each night. Those of you who were listening at the time will well remember this frequency and the group of amateurs who operated there. It was an interesting bunch. I spent many weekends during my school years helping Tom with various radio projects, from antenna building to amplifier troubleshooting and repair. Tom was the brains, I was t he hands. We had fun. It was inevitable that I would study for an amateur license and in the mid 70's I became WD5KGG.

My first rig was a beautifully constructed Heathkit HW-101, built by Tom's friend Doug Loftin (WA5QPJ). This radio was flawless and it was more rig than most novices were fortunate enough to start out with. I pounded out countless CW QSOs on this radio, and like all hams 23 years later, I would give anything to have that radio back.


	\| home History and Background \| My Station \| The Way It Was \| Photo Album \| Related Links \| Contact Me History and Background WB5CYS This is where it all started for me. Amateur Radio Station WB5CYS. Tom Barton, 408 Fannin St., Center, Texas. Tom (far right in the picture above) was my Elmer. He got me started in amateur radio. Tom was also my beloved Uncle, and he taught me a lot about life. I was so very lucky to have him in my life during my formative years. Tom was paralized from the neck down in a diving accident in 1945. He was 17 years old at the time. Doctors gave him eight days to live. He died in December of 1978 after 50 years of the fullest life anyone could ever hope to experience. Tom had movement in his neck and in his arms down through his wrists, but not his fingers. Despite this rather significant limitation, he drove his own car, piloted his own boat, was an expert marksman with rifle and shotgun, designed, built and sold custom fishing rods, and operated a very active amateur radio station. Tom taught me how to hunt, fish, water ski - so many different wonderful activities. Despite spending 33 years confined to a wheelchair, he loved life and life loved him. Tom was active during the 1970's on 3.930 Mhz each night. Those of you who were listening at the time will well remember this frequency and the group of amateurs who operated there. It was an interesting bunch. I spent many weekends during my school years helping Tom with various radio projects, from antenna building to amplifier troubleshooting and repair. Tom was the brains, I was t he hands. We had fun. It was inevitable that I would study for an amateur license and in the mid 70's I became WD5KGG. My first rig was a beautifully constructed Heathkit HW-101, built by Tom's friend Doug Loftin (WA5QPJ). This radio was flawless and it was more rig than most novices were fortunate enough to start out with. I pounded out countless CW QSOs on this radio, and like all hams 23 years later, I would give anything to have that radio back.