Rick was pretty famous or infamous, lol.  His original call was WA8JQV and 
he became N9RH.  I drummed for him back in the late 70's.  His dad was a ham 
as well, and they had a real nice tower with a 20-meter monobander.

One of the nicest guys you could want to meet, he'd give you the shirt off 
his back if you needed it.

He's famous as being verified at copying over 80 words per minute.  Guys at 
the Central Michigan Amateur Radio Club recorded some CW that they went at 
around 40-45 WPM.  They played it back to Rick at double-speed and he copied 
it.

I remember one day on 75 meters.  There were several of us talking to this 
YL from North Dakota.  There was myself, K8SP, Randy N8KL, George Wa8yuz. 
Then, Ricky decided to join our group.

I rarely mentioned the fact that I was blind when on the air; I've talked 
with people for months before something would just come up in passing. 
Ricky wasn't like that.  So, he butts into our QSO and says "Karen, you 
know, all of us on frequency are blinde."

Well, she didn't know what to say.  I remember George YUZ responding "No, 
Karen, we're just out of sight..."

Steve, K8SP

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phil Scovell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 10:35 PM
Subject: Re: My view and memories about ham radio: was RE: Amateur Radio 
Licensees in U.S.


> Ron,
>
> Very interesting to read.  It reminded me of my early days getting into 
> the
> hobby.  Did you know Rick from the MI school for the blind, WA8JQV?  If 
> so,
> I'll tell you a story about meeting him on the air one night as a novice.
>
> Phil.
> K0NX