Memories of the Forgotten Era: Reflecting on 1978–1983

Summer 1978 marked the beginning of what I consider to be one of the most cherished periods of my life, spanning five wonderful years in Millington, Tennessee. Starting my 8th grade at Millington Middle School in August 1978, I met Robert, who became my best friend and remained so until today.

Graduation and Moving On

Graduating from Millington Central High School (MCHS) in May 1983, I stayed in Millington for another five months before stepping into the real world. My last summer in 1983 was a bittersweet one, signaling the end of my high school days and the beginning of my transition into adult life.

A Crucial Year: 1978

A particularly memorable aspect of 1978 was my achievement of the Radio Amateurs Certificate. Ever since I was a ten-year-old boy, I had been captivated by short wave radio and the myriad signals it transmitted. Although I had never seriously attempted to become a licensed radio amateur, my interest remained unbroken.

The Journey to Certification

During late 1977, I enrolled in a series of weekly evening classes aimed at covering the Radio Amateurs' Examination syllabus. The examination was a single three-hour written paper divided into two parts. Part 1 included only two questions, both drawn from items 1 and 2 of the syllabus, while Part 2 consisted of eight questions (of which six had to be attempted) covering items 3 to 10. To pass, one had to achieve a pass mark in both parts; failure in either meant failure of the entire examination.

The Syllabus

The exam syllabus in 1978 was as follows:

Part I – 1. Licensing conditions. 2. Transmitter interference. Part II – 3. Elementary electricity and magnetism. 4. Elementary alternating current theory. 5. Thermionic valves and semiconductors. 6. Radio receivers. 7. Low power transmitters. 8. Propagation. 9. Aerials. 10. Measurements.

Upon successfully passing this challenging examination, I felt a sense of accomplishment. In fact, I believe this was one of the best academic achievements of my life, irrespective of whether it was in my academic or professional career.

The Next Steps

Passing the Radio Amateurs' Certificate allowed me to transmit on the very high frequencies (144 MHz and above). However, to operate on short wave frequencies, one needed to pass a separate test in Morse Code proficiency. Due to time constraints, I never embarked on a Morse Code course and thus, never managed to become a licensed radio amateur.

Reflections and Legacy

The 1978–1983 period was the zenith of my life, a time that remains etched in my memory. It was a golden era marked by friendships, school achievements, and a burgeoning interest in short wave radio that sparked my curiosity and passion. It was also a turning point, foreshadowing the transition into the more professionalism and fewer festivities that followed in the years to come.