When I rejoined the Early Bird Transcontinental Net group a few months back I was surprised, after an absence of 54 years to find it had evolved from a traffic passing network into a fellowship group primarily collecting temperatures and exchanging greetings. At first I doubted it was the same group. No one was passing any traffic, other than checking in for a number in exchange for a local temperature. Oh well, it appears to be a fine congenial group of hams. One in particular, K4ELJ, Elmer, talked me out of a "malaise" I had fallen into as to ham radio when I found out we had similar military backgrounds and he was OLDER than I was. To that he added there were people on here up to age 93 (Mel). As I talked more I enjoyed the group more.

After a few weeks of regular check ins I decided to look up my old logbooks (I've kept logs as used to be required since I was first licensed in 1947 as W1QDM in Presque Isle, ME). In Book 3 I found a series of TCPN check ins---there were 15 alone between August 8, 1952 to January 1953. In that log book I showed call signs, message numbers passed (QSP'd) and in many instances actual message texts. These were mostly ones of messages from me or to me. Some were ones I saved going to friends of mine.

I can remember quite clearly sending and receiving a message as I was driving along the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City in my mobile. I had to use CW to get through--but had my trusty vibroplex (bug) sitting on the seat beside me. I was using one of the old World War II Command Sets, as modified with a pair of 807's and a home brewed modulator. Had a 1951 Chevie at the time--seem to remember a picture somewhere. If I can find it will scan it and if the Webmaster or the Net Manager think it might be of any interest will include it later.(Needless to say my XYL didn't think much of driving and sending CW at the same time in the rush hour traffic in New York--and told me about it!)

The main differences between the old and new Transcontinental groups are
these:

1. Now days they call it the The Early Bird Transcontinental Net--The old Net was call the Transcontinental Phone Net or Transcon Net.
2. The old net met on 3970 khz---the new one, of course meets on 3940 khz 3. I've already mentioned the new net does not appear to send formal numbered messages.

Just for information, I'll list the call signs I contacted from my log; in the date order I worked them. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who can bring me up to date as to when the net was remade and when and why!
Here are the stations I worked on Transcon back in 52 and 53

W1SS W1AVP
W1SET W1TVH
W1QQY W1MCS
W1ITU W1SGA
W1JNC W1SBP
W1PZX W1TRX
W1AHN W1SJO
W1MVH

Also if any of the old timers up in New England or along the east coast know any of the above calls let me know their status please.


73
K4FNU
ex W1QDM/1 Granby, Mass. and other places while in the Air Force


John & Dottie Russell 
k4fnu@tampabay.rr.com

K4FNU's 1951 Chevrolet mentioned in the ETBN History

K4FNU, John and his XYL