Shelby News article - summer 1960

20-FOOT TOWER plus tall aerial gave Waller Scott (right) and Jim Hughes good elevation for their emergency "ham" radio station in the nation-wide short-wave amateur radio field day, last week-end.

Two Simpsonville Ham Radio Operators Keep Around-the-Clock Defense Alert

Two Simpsonville youths gave Shelby County a "voice" in a nationwide short-wave radio alert held over the weekend.

The test was 24 hour affair held by the American Radio Relay League in cooperation with the civil defense agency, as training for emergencies.

Waller Scott, and Jim Hughes, both 17, manned the Lions Club ground observer tower for the 24-hour period from 4 p.m. Sunday, with a portable, emergency station with the call letters K4QPJ. Their object was to contact as many short-wave stations as possible.

12,000 Participate

Their report showed a total of 110 stations reached, and the score will be entered in a national contest, but it will take several weeks to tabulate the results and determine the winners. An estimated 12,000 to 13,000 hams were participating from all parts of the United States and Canada.

The Simpsonville pair succeeded in contacting 33 states, Canal Zone and Porta Rico, and several Canadian provinces. They are sure they could have done better except for atmospheric disturbances from recent storms.

Purpose in using the 20 foot tower was to gain advantage of the elevation, which makes it easier to reach more stations. Waller and Jim stayed on the job the entire 24 hours, except for a couple of hours early Sunday morning when they shut down the power and got some sleep.

Licensed Since 14

Waller is quite a "veteran" in short-wave radio. This is the second year he has participated in the national field day. Last year he and Richard Newport took part. Waller graduated from Simpsonville high school this year, and plans to study electrical engineering at the University of Louisville. He has held a general license as a short-wave radio amateur since he was l4. He recently took a correspondence course in electronics.

Jim Hughes, a junior this year at Simpsonville high, is a protege and "pupil" of Waller Scott. Jim received his novice license just a few days ago, and has shown keen interest and aptitude in short-wave radio.

Station K4QPJ operated with power supplied by the Shelby RECC's portable generator.

Larry Miller of Simpsonville, now working for Louisville Gas and Electric Co., also took part in the test with a group of "hams" in Louisville.