For a long time, I have been going solely on my own memory. However, since this is to be posted on the website, I do not want to rely only on what I personally can remember. I know how stories can be almost 180 degrees out of phase with the truth when you rely only on what one person can remember. The following information was acquired from two of the original net control stations. I am adding it here per the information I received from both Harold Rosee, WA5ZZT, who was one of the originators of the net, and from John Moore, WA5ZYM, another of the original net control stations. Harold dug back through some of his old files in order to assist me with a truthful representation of the net's origins, as best as he could recall. For photos of WA5ZZT and WA5ZYM, see the PHOTOS page.

Harold was only 16 when he got his General Class license on November 13, 1970. He had a high school friend, Richard Eisner, WB5ABX, who was also a new ham. The two of them met on 3935 kHz, nightly, and chatted. Neither of them knew what a net was so they contacted the ham, who gave them their Novice exams. He explained all about nets and the two of them decided to start their own. According to Harold, they came up with the name of The Southwest Traffic Net and it was born sometime between Nov. 13, 1970 and Dec. 8, 1970. Originally, Harold and Richard were the only two net control stations. Others were added later; a different one for each night of the week.

The following, additional, information has been provided by John, WA5ZYM, who also dug back into his old log books: WA5ZZT called the first net on December 7, 1970. WB5ABX, called it on December 8th, WA5ZYM called it on the 9th and Charles, WB5BKH. of Shawnee, OK, called it on the 10th. Since the net was not that organized in its infancy, those few guys just kinda took turns calling the net each night until more stations could be added. According to John's log books, the following were net control stations as of 1972:

Monday - WA5EOG, Ken, #001 and WA5WZU, Lee, #007
Tuesday - K5LNM, Guy, #005 and WB5AUU, Ron, #047
Wednesday - W5SOQ, Rick, #061 and ?5EEB*
Thursday - WA5YNZ, Larry, #46 and WB5BKH, Charles, #005
Friday - WA5VCN, Lloyd, #037 and WB5BDY, Tom, #003
Saturday - WB5CMM, Autrey, #018 and WB5BDY, Tom, #003 again
Sunday - WA5ZYM, John, #021 and WA5YMQ, A.J., #17

* I cannot find any mention of the call "EEB" in the net files I have.

Trying to remember yesterday is tough enough these days. Remembering 30 years back is a little more difficult. We have made every effort to verify the validity of the above information.

The Southwesterner

The net newsletter was originally created by WA5EOG and it was a real chore to publish. Photocopy machines were few and far between back in those days so we did not have access to that medium. Ken took drafting paper, which is a thin vellum material, and hand typed each article on the paper. The finished newsletter was then copied on an ammonia process, blueprint machine at the engineering company where Ken was a draftsman. Each page was copied one at a time. The finished product came out with blue printing on a white background and was on heavy blueprint paper. Each page could only be printed on one side using that process and there were usually between 4 and 8 pages per issue. We took the 8 1/2" x 11" pages, hand collated them, folded them over, stapled them, hand addressed each one, stamped them and got them out once a month. It was such a long process that, as soon as one issue was mailed, work was started on the next issue. It was a real pain in the neck but was also a lot of fun. Hurray for the computers and graphic art programs we have available today.

Mike, WB5COO, is the current editor of the newsletter and it is published by Al, K5DPG. Although, as of September, 2004, the mail-out version of the newsletter was discontinued, the newsletter MAY be available on an e-mail basis. That possibility is under discussion as of September 23, 2004.

--Ken

Net Certificate

The Net Certificate was discontinued in 2004. 902 hams received the certificate.

Net Certificate

September, 2004

OFFICERS:

Net Manager: George Fenn, Jr., W5VBD, Tulsa, OK

Assistant Net Manager: Bill Partin, W5OMC, Richland Hills, TX

The operating format of the net was changed rather dramatically in September, 2004.

Paid memberships are no longer solicited.
The Net no longer maintains a bank account.
The monthly newsletter, The Southwesterner, has been discontinued.
Net Certificates are no longer issued.
A list of Net Control Stations is no longer available on this site due to the constant turnover of both regular and alternate NCS's.

All of the above, notwithstanding, the Net does continue to operate, nightly, and all eligible amateur radio operators are cordially invited to check in.

--Ken

Everyone is welcome to send history info for the site!

Thanks & 73, --KV5R

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