Our Featured member this month, is none other than one of our longest standing GERATOL members and most experienced Net Control Operators; Harv – AA4HF, GERATOL # 329. 

We all know Harv by his distinctive operating style, which is a reflection of his status as a true Southern Gentleman.  Whether greeting a mere handful of check-ins, or dealing with a work list a mile long, Harv’s professional demeanor and calm approach is a reflection of the experience the GERATOL NCS stations like AA4HF bring to the net each evening.
Harv first assumed the NCS reins as a substitute net controller on the GERATOL Net, back in the early eighties. Following that, he served as a regular NCS in the mid eighties, starting on Monday nights, then moving to the Tuesday evening early net.  Yes, we used to have an “early” net and a “late” net, when conditions were much better. 

Harv was first licensed in 1958 as KN4YPT.  Many of the “old timers” recall the “N” in the prefixes, which were often part of our first call signs, as Novice operators.  Some “N” calls remain, but most 2×3 “N” calls are a thing of the past.  Harv is one of the (W.A.L.) or Worked All Licenses gang, going from Novice all the way to Extra Class. 

As is the case with many early Ham Radio enthusiasts from the 50’s and 60’s, Harv’s first Ham Station consisted of a separate Transmitter and Receiver.  In his case, his first station consisted of a homebrew single 6L6 15 Watt CW transmitter, in tandem with an Allied Ocean Hopper regenerative receiver. 

Remember the “selectivity” on that type of vintage receiver?  Amazing we still made QSO’s using receivers like the Ocean Hopper or the National NC-60 Special or even the Lafayette HA-63, to name a few, but we did.   His antenna was a long wire double dipole 80 over 40, but also loaded up on 15 as well.   Also, like many of us, he had an Elmer who lived nearby. In his case it was Bob, W4ORH.  It was, and is to this day, the Elmers who keep Ham Radio alive, and who play a huge part in keeping young folks interested in our hobby. 

As often is the case, “life” got in the way of Hamming for Harv, and due to the fact back in the period he was first licensed, “proof of operating time” was a requirement for renewing your ham license. Unfortunately since he was unable to get on the air while  he was in college (University of Tennessee at Martin) in order to fulfill the “on the air time” required, he could not renew his license.  Regardless, we still view Harv as one of our “50” Years as a HAM gentlemen. His interest in Ham Radio never died however, and in the early seventies he once again became a Novice operator. Realizing Novice privileges were not going to suffice, he quickly upgraded to Advanced and Extra the following year. 

Harv completed his first Worked All States in 1958.  At that time, only 48 states were required, since HI and AK did not enter the union officially until 1959 !!  Imagine that !!  How many others got their first Worked All States only using 48 states ? 

Leave a “Comment” on this POST and let us know… If you need help on how to place a “Comment” just send me a note via email to n1kl @ arrl.net.

His first DX QSO was with a German station, DL1IB, which took place on March 3, 1959.  He received his GERATOL # 329 directly from the ARRL in 1979.   In addition to his GERATOL # 329 and Director’s # 37, Harv is also a recipient of the GERATOL Hall of Fame Award, the 25^th Anniversary Award as well as the very seldom given, GERATOL Phoenix Award. The Phoenix Award is something only four other members, in addition to himself have achieved. 

Other Ham Radio related activites for Harv included some public service work, handling health and welfare traffic during weather related events. In addition, he operated via the Military Affiliated Radio Services (MARS) conducting phone patches, voice and digital traffic for over 40 years. 

Outside of Amateur Radio, Harv’s interest include music, hunting, fishing and motorcycles in his younger days.  He served as a Manager of Engineering and as an Inormation Technology Director. He has also taught programming languages at the local community college at night for several years. He’s been retired now for 17 years, but does operate a computer systems and a network support business, which he says is just enough to keep him off the streets and out of the poolroom !!  Hi Hi

Congrats to Harv on his distinguished Ham Radio career, and thanks to him for his dedication to the GERATOL net over the years, and as our longest standing Net Control Operator on the net. Feel free to post a comment, expressing your thoughts about Harv’s Featured Member article. My thanks to Harv for providing me with the information necessary to complete this POST.