"The Pride of being a Ham" Written by Daryl Stout

NOTE: This was originally written shortly after I was licensed in 1991.
Since then, no more Novice, Technician Plus, or Advanced licenses were
being issued, effective April 15, 2000...and Morse Code is mentioned,
even though it's no longer required for a ham radio license, as of
Feb. 23, 2007.

Also, originally licensed as N5VLZ on Aug. 7, 1991, I changed to the
vanity callsign AE5WX, as of June 5, 2009...then changed to the vanity
callsign of WX1DER, as of Dec. 27, 2012...then changed one final
time on March 22, 2019, to the vanity callsign of WX4QZ.

***

It all began years ago; and who'd have ever thought
The changes that'd take place since Morse telegraphed
"What hath God Wrought?".
From home brewed rigs and keyers...to repeaters across the land.
The heritage; the history; The Pride of being a Ham.

Sending code across the bands, to places far and near.
Anytime day or night, the signal weak or clear.
Across the street, around the world, along the many bands;
The many friends you'd meet who had The Pride of being a Ham.

Disaster strikes, and they are there, providing needed help.
Vital information sent; gladly giving of themselves.
Unselfishly and tireless, doing all they can
In service to their fellow man; The Pride of being a Ham.

They help with parades, bike-a-thons, and other events, you see.
Coordinating safety for the public, doing it all for free.
Demonstrations, classes too, so they can proudly stand;
And show the public what we are, The Pride of being a Ham.

A fascinating hobby, yes; but fun, yet serious, too.
Policing and protecting ourselves with the FCC rules.
Gladly serving without receiving money in our hands;
The Amateur Radio Licensee; The Pride of being a Ham.

Novice, Technician, General, Advanced, and Amateur Extra too.
Licensed Hams across this Earth, proud of what they do.
One big family together, as they work and plan
To better both the hobby, and The Pride of being a Ham.

From Morse Code to Repeaters to Amateur TV.
Satellites and Packet, Q signals, and 73.
QSL cards, contests, log books, the spectrum, it is grand.
I'm glad to be, and that I have, The Pride of being a Ham.

**************************************************************************
From the "My Testimony --To Soar With Jesus Collection".
Writtten by Daryl Stout. (C) Copyright 1989, 2019 by Daryl Stout.
All Rights Reserved. Any abuse or unauthorized usage of this poetry
will be dealt with at The Judgment Before Jesus Christ. The "Soar
With Jesus" Eagle Design was created and designed by Dale Larison,
and it is used by permission. **************************************************************************
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)