Welcome to the W1UJR site.
I was first licensed in July 1995, and became an extra class license holder a
short time later.
My interest in radio is not new however, but dates back to my teenage years.
The fascination with radio began quite early. My first real radio was old
vacuum tube RCA console from which I would listen to WBZ in Boston late into the
night. The idea that I could not only hear and know what was happening in
another city, or around the world ignited a passion that I have to this day,
what I like to call the "magic of radio"!
Like commercial broadcast stations, amateur radio operators throughout the
world are identified by their call sign. Each call sign is issued by the amateur's
government, in the United States the agency is the Federal Communications
Commission, and is unique throughout the world. One's call sign can quickly
become more identifiable than one's own name! I moved to Portland, Maine
in January of 2001 and hence replaced the KG2IC call with a suitable old buzzard
"W1" call to reflect the call district.
In memory of my elmer, W2UJR, I took the "UJR"
suffix.
My primary interest is the preservation and operation of vacuum tube ham gear
from the 1920s to the 1940s, and much of my "radio time" is spent in the
documentation and restoration of such gear. Early prewar gear, often homebrew,
holds a special place, as my interests have shifted significantly to favor
anything with a black wrinkle finish and glowing filaments.
I am a lifetime member of the Antique Wireless Association (AWA), you can find
out more about the AWA at
www.antiquewireless.org, and I also belong to the American Radio Relay League
(ARRL), located at www.arrl.net.
In my spare time, I
amuse myself by writing and photographing my efforts, be sure to check my
Restorations page to see some my past work,
the current projects are listed on the left menu bar. For my efforts on
documenting radio history, you find some of my past works at the
Written Word page.
In case you have far too much time on your hands, and you're wondering what
projects I'm currently working on, see Bruce's Bench
to find out how I have been burning the midnight oil.
Previous years of Bruce's Bench can be found on the top of the left menu. I should also mention that
I am also a fan of the 1950s military T-368 transmitter, 750 lbs of pure boat anchor! If you have one of
these gems, be sure to check the T-368 site.