February 2025 Newsletter

February 1, 2025    Uncategorized   

Meet The Park’s Newest Club:

Silveridge Amateur Radio

By Dale Dauten
In our last issue, we wondered if Alice’s Getaway was the oldest resident organization at Silveridge. And, given that no one came forward to suggest an even older group, we’re giving the title to Alice’s. Today, though, we get to go the other direction and take a look at a brand new club, the Silveridge Amateur Radio Club.

 

If your reaction is like mine was, you’re first thought was “Radio? Are we talking about that thing everyone used to listen to way back, before the cellphone, before the iPod, even before the Walkman? Wolfman Jack and Cousin Brucie?” No, not that radio. This is what was called, and still is called, ham radio. Which raises questions, including “People still do this?” and “What’s ham got to do with it?”

 

We got to sit down with two of the new club’s charter members Rick Homan and Lucian Vittori, to find out. [That’s Rick (left) and Lucian in the photo, seated with some of the club’s equipment.] While Lucian is one of the folks who’s been involved with radio for decades, Rick is a relative newcomer, having gotten involved within the last couple of years.
They answered the question “people still do this?” by pointing out that there are three million people worldwide with radio licenses, and about three-quarters of a million in the U.S. alone. That then raised another question: licenses? Yes, given that the airways are regulated, a license is required to send radio signals. On the other hand, anyone can listen in, and that’s how many people involved in the hobby began. Currently, there are at least seven Silveridge residents with licenses and six of them recently sat down for a photo. (You know a hobby has true enthusiasts when there are specialty t-shirts.)

Seated Lucien Vittori, AB0LV, Ed Way, K9WAY, Ann Lauer, KB9BAL,

Standing: Rick Homan, K3RWH, Lu Way, KA9WAY and Larry Lauer, WB2UFO
Getting licensed involves some study, but Rick and Lucian assured us that online study-guides and practice tests make that less daunting than it used to be. In fact, there was a time when a proficiency in Morse Code was a requirement, but that’s no longer the case. Why get licensed? The motivation is two-fold. The weightier reason is that radio communication still plays an important function during emergencies. That’s why, as Lucian explained, the Red Cross has a radio station at their Phoenix facilities. And it’s how Lucian came to play a role with a Coast Guard emergency: “I was in Omaha at the time,” he explained, “and a Coast Guard station in California was involved in a search for a missing vessel. They couldn’t contact the boat but I could and was able to patch the two together so they could communicate.”

And while emergency use continues to be the critical motivation for radio groups around the country, and why FEMA conducts classes in its use, many activities of radio clubs are social. Radio promotes spontaneous conversations in a way that Rick says “you would never get with a cell phone.” And these are worldwide – Rick has had contact with those as far away as Russia and Viet Nam, and Lucian even recounted times he communicated with Antarctica. But the appeal of radio clubs is that operators get out and socialize in person. Clubs have field trips, often meeting in parks, but also gathering in special spaces – Rick described how decommissioned ships like the USS Hornet and the Midway let radio clubs come in and use their radio rooms.

 

Speaking of radio rooms, the park has its own, albeit it’s in a shared classroom with photography and other clubs. But it isn’t just the room, the club was able to adapt an unused antennae on top of the clubhouse. Thanks to funding from the Renters’ Association, they acquired a rotator to turn the antennae, and thanks to diverse backgrounds of Silveridge residents, put together an installation team, as seen below. (That’s Lucian and Rick, along with Kevin Reski, Greg Whitmarsh and Jeff Bidinger.) Also, a shout-out to Don Beckett, VA7DOW, who has left the park but was instrumental in getting the club started and stays in touch with the members.
If you’re curious about the radio club, you’re invited to stop by on Fridays, 10AM-3PM, in the classroom next to the Activities Desk and listen in and/or ask questions.

What’s “ham” got to do with it?

When asked the origin of the term “ham radio,” Lucian relayed the joke that there’s so much food when ham operators get together that the acronym could derive from Have Another Meal. He then went on to explain that the actual derivation might have come from the clumsy use of Morse Code by “ham-fisted” operators. We turned to Google for more, and among many competing theories, the one from Wikipedia seemed most solid, agreeing with Lucian and writing this:

At the turn of the 20th century, the terms “ham” and “plug” were used by landline telegraphers to describe an operator “who lacks ability” or who had poor or “ham fisted” skills. By 1881, it had been alleged by telegrapher unions and trade groups that companies were employing “ham” operators who were negligent or incompetent. These unskilled operators were described as either drinking alcohol while working, irresponsible teenage boys, or merely having very little ability. Their miscommunication was blamed for causing severe train wrecks. Railroad executives during this era were also accused of hiring unskilled operators to save money and were said to be accepting bribes from telegraph schools to hire unqualified students. These disreputable telegraph schools were referred to as “ham factories.” Early radio (initially known as wireless telegraphy) included many former wire telegraph operators, and within the new service “ham” was employed as a pejorative term by professional radiotelegraph operators to suggest that amateur enthusiasts were unskilled.

FROM THE ACTIVITY OFFICE

With the busy season upon us, it is fitting that my message is about time and love. Every year, I need to be reminded to stop and breathe. Those who know me well, know I fret over every detail of every event. I want to provide a variety of activities to please all residents. In the quest to do that, I let the small stuff get in the way of the truly important things. Things like saying “thank you”, “I love you”, “That was so nice of you”, “You are special to me”, “ You make a difference in my life”, and “I appreciate you!” Many of us are now enjoying the plethora of activities. This is GREAT! That means we are enjoying life and for most of us, enjoying retirement. Remember, that it is not just the activities but the relationships we are making that are truly important! I get so focused on the tiniest details and I need to remember all those who make it happen. I am so blessed with an amazing village that is ready at a moment’s notice to lend a hand. I couldn’t do my job without all of you. Just know I love and appreciate each and every one of you. Silveridge is truly a very special community.

February is packed with a ton of activities. I always say you can be as busy as you’d like here at Silveridge. December ‘63 concert is the music of FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS comes to life in this one-of-a-kind concert experience. DECEMBER’63 showcases all your favorite songs from Frankie Valli including the classics that have been thrilling audiences for decade. This re-creation of a Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons concert will have you reaching for the high notes as our cast and band take you on musical journey with stops at every phase of the careers of Frankie and the boys!

We have the John Denver tribute dinner show. “Cowboy” Brad Fitch specializes in original folk and western music. Brad has performed John Denver tribute concerts throughout the United States. Brad has

also performed at the annual John Denver memorial concerts in Aspen, Colorado several times.

Brad has recorded 19 albums featuring his original music that reflects what he loves about nature and the western lifestyle. Raised in Estes Park, Colorado, singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Fitch has been playing professionally since he was 15 years old. Brad was awarded the All-Around Cowboy Entertainer at the Aspen Lodge Cowboy Poetry Gathering and performed traditional cowboy music for the President of the United States during his 2001 visit to Colorado. Don’t miss this incredible dinner show. It is usually a sold out evening at Silveridge.

Showtune Productions will be bringing the Broadway Showstoppers to our stage. Celebrate the greatest hits from Broadway featuring showtunes from Mamma Mia, Chicago, My Fair Lady, Moulin Rouge, Oklahoma, Hamilton, CATS, Les Miserable and more, This concert features 6 vocalists and a 10 piece orchestra. Showtune Productions has brought us Dolly Parton, and the Dick Clark tribute. The music will be amazing. This will concert will not disappoint you. Don’t wait! Get your tickets now. Enjoy this fun packed month and know I appreciate you!

Thank you for making Silveridge

 

“The Friendliest Park in the West.”

-LU & Sylvia