by Tom Wedding, AI4QP
 
• If your wife calls and asks you to bring home a ham and you show up with one of your radio friends… you might be a ham!
• If you go canoeing with your buddies they ask you to bring the paddles and you show up with your Vibroplex… you might be a ham!
• If the phone rings and you answer this is AI4QP over… you might be a ham!
• If your back yard looks like and aluminum Porcupine… you might be a ham!
• If you have to explain to your spouse that a Hamfest is not a barbecue… you might be a ham!
• If your car has more than two antennas on it… you might be a ham!
• If you are asked to show two pieces of I.D. and you present a copy of your Amateur License and your ARRL card… you might be a ham!
• If you are afraid to pull into a parking garage because of antennas on your roof… you might be a ham!
• If someone asks you what your favorite radio station is and you say W1AW… you might be a ham!
• If you go to a boxing match and they start talking about fists and you bring up the fact that you just got your keynote… you might be a ham.
• When the guys at the marina talk about their Chriscraft and you bring up your Cushcraft… you might be a ham!
• If your wife tells you she would like a Diamond for Christmas and you give her an antenna or a really good ARRL Membership…you’re in some deep trouble !!!

… and the “Real” K9BUL. The imposter:

can be found in the Orlando Hamcation folder.
Below is the email exchange between the real K9BUL and I.
Norm says:

Mike, I reviewed the Hamcation Pictures and got a real kick out of the sixth picture in the series. I knew I had a few wrinkles and was kinda ugly but you were able to capture the real me. Good to see everyone having a good time.
73′s,
Norm K9BUL

I replied:

Norm, I didn’t even think to look up the call on QRZ… so I feel very DUH… right now. Do you want to leave it there? I will gladly remove it if you object. Better yet send me a picture of yourself and I will state the Bull was bootlegging your call from Florida. Sorry if I caused you any problems… it just seemed to fit. We do have a great group of people here. We are not a club but a good working team and having a blast. Did you just stumble on to the pictures or did you get to start at the beginning of our website? We have a very special event our group is getting ready to do December 8th through the 11th. It will be a FIRST from the west coast of Florida since 1955. That’s all I can tell you right now but we started working on this project right after Field Day. I will add you to our field day email list if you wish. Get back with me if you have some time. I do appreciate the email. New Orleans just scored a touch down against Atlanta in the first 2 minutes. Guess I might watch a little football.
73,
Mike N4MAA

Norm replied:

Mike: No problem, leave the picture in the series. I think it’s a great picture. I found the picture by doing a search on my call. About two years ago I up graded to an Extra Class License. After that I decided to treat myself to a vanity call. When I was 14 years old (about 49 years ago) K9BUL took me to the Dayton Hamfest. He inspired me to get my license and I’ve enjoyed ham radio since 1963. I decided to keep his call on the air in honor of him. Any way that is the history on the call. Great making your acquaintance. We have traveled to Florida a few times. Maybe one of these times we can drop by and meet a few hams in your group.
73,
Norm K9BUL

I replied:

Norm, I would like to add this story of you searching your call and finding “your picture” at the Orlando Hamfest. I think a lot of people would enjoy reading both our emails and the story to go with it. Orlando Hamfest is great but they don’t have anywhere to sit down in the tail gate area. So our group rented a tail gate spot, put out chairs, a table, a large cooler full of bottled water with a sign that said “Rest area, sit down and have a bottle of water on the Alphalpha Repeater Group”. We gave away 250 bottles of water. It was a good thing we didn’t get caught because they were charging $1.50 or $2 a bottle. Anytime you are close to St. Petersburg, Florida my number is 727-XXX-XXXX give me a call and I’ll buy your lunch or supper. I am from Dayton born there; I went to Trotwood Madison High School in Trotwood just about three miles from O’Hara Arena. Although I was licensed at age 14 in 1964, I joined the Army in 1967 and never made it to a Hamfest there until this year. I went by myself and stayed with an old high school friend that also visits here and stays on occasion. Anyway the door is open for you,
73, and thanks for good ole ham humor and cordial visit.
Mike N4MAA