The Shack of Norm (ZE8JZ) in the early 1960's (note the trophy, he won the SARL Phone or CW Contests two years in succession, 1960, and 1961 respectively)

My father, Norman, was born on the 19th August 1924, in Durban South Africa. He passed away on the 4th December 1999, he was effectively a Ham for 50 odd years

His mother came from Sydney Australia, and his father was of Irish decent. Norm had an elder brother, Sydney. Syd was killed along with 12 others whilst on a training flight in 1961. Syd had served in the SA Air force during World War II, and had been in North Africa

After World War II, the South African Air force flew supply missions from Cape Town to Cairo. Norm was engaged in these supply missions. It was a long trip (from the bottom of the continent and all the way back again) with many refueling stops on the way. They flew DC3's (Dakota's) carrying much needed supplies to Egypt

Norm was first employed in the post office, trained as a telegraphist, soon after elected to join the South African Air force

Norm really enjoyed CW, he operated SSB as well. He was very active on the WARC Bands, 30M, 12M, 17M, at one time he was top of the list of countries worked on 30M, 12M and 17M by a South African Station

Norm was licensed in 1949, and held the following call signs ; ZS5KN (1949) - ZS6AOI (1953) - ZE8JZ (1958) ZE1CB (1963) - ZS6AVM (1981 - 1999)

The family moved to Rhodesia in 1958, where Norm joined the Rhodesian Air force He was responsible for running the communications at the Thornhill Air force Base, which was situated in a small town called Gwelo

Norm operated AM and CW, using a Johnson Viking Ranger transmitter, and an Eddystone receiver. His first SSB rig was an FT 101ZD, which he purchased in 1981

Norm served 14 years in the South African Air force, and was station in Durban on the "flying boats", Sunderlands/Catalans, as well as being stationed on Robben Island, on the "Crash Boats", Air/Sea Rescue

He was trained as an air-gunner/radio operator, and underwent training in the United Kingdom during the war years. His background in the post office came in handy, as he was a qualified telegraphist

The Morse Code wasn't anything new to him, in fact during his training was often called upon to give CW training to the other recruits

73, Norm

We'll catch you further down the Log !

David

QSL CARD SENT TO MY DAD IN 1949 FROM ZS6YC

This scanned image of the QSL Card was sent to me by Ian, VK2EYC. Ian informed me that my late Dad was his first contact on having received his Amateur Radio License in 1949

Ian has since sent me the original of the above QSL Card for which I'm truly grateful. Thank you so much Ian, a really nice gesture on your part

The picture on the right seems to be the model of receiver that my Dad used. The Transmitter was home made using 6J5, 6V6, and a 6L6

Echophone Commercial
EC-1A / EC-1B
General Coverage Shortwave Communications Receivers

As the WW2 ended, Hallicrafters introduced the Echophone EC-1A as an entry level shortwave receiver. Its unique band spread dial layout as well as its circuit design to provide low cost yet best performance, was definitely the predecessor of popular Hallicrafters S-38 series