From: pschleck@unomaha.edu (Paul W Schleck KD3FU)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,rec.radio.info,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: Amateur Radio Elmers List Info and Administrivia
Summary: A documentation file for the Elmers Resource Directory,
	 a list of mentors, experts, and gurus for the various
	 technical subjects that come up in this newsgroup.
Keywords: ham amateur radio ftp elmer
Date: 1 Jan 93 12:00:26 GMT
Expires: Mon, 15 Feb 1993 06:00:00 GMT
Reply-To: elmers-request@unomaha.edu (Elmers List Administrivia Mailbox)
Followup-To: poster
Organization: ACM Student Chapter, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Supersedes: <elmers/admin-1-723211204@unomaha.edu>
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Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4
Archive-name: elmers/admin
Revision: 1.2 10/03/92 05:48:17
Changes: SAC: 1947-1992, RIP

This administrivia file and the companion Amateur Radio Elmers Resource 
Directory are intended for non-commercial distribution via Usenet.  Any 
other uses, please E-mail for permission. 

A Brief Historical Overview:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If there is any one constant in the changing state of the communications 
art, it is that "Hams" (Amateur Radio Operators) have always been on 
the forefront of it.  Rumors abound where the term "Ham" came from.  
Some of the more amusing are described at the end of this article. 

Regardless of origin of the name, a "Ham" is universally recognizable as 
one who experiments in radio and communications.  

Whether it be constructing a low-power CW radio with vacuum tubes, or 
designing TCP/IP packet networks, such experimentation has historically 
spilled over into the mainstream such as was the case with Edwin 
Armstrong, who developed the regenerative oscillator and FM radio, or 
General Curtis LeMay (W6EZV) who was instrumental in making Single-
Sideband the communications standard for the Strategic Air Command 
(1947-1992, now reorganized into a joint command called StratComm) and
eventually the U.S. Air Force.  Although packet-switching techniques 
originated from DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and 
the ARPANet, no one can deny the tremendous influence that amateurs 
have had in demonstrating the viability of TCP/IP and AX.25 
communications via radio links.  The efforts of AMSAT (the Amateur 
Satellite Corporation) including the development of many ham satellites 
and the low-orbiting Microsats (communications satellites no bigger than 
a breadbox that use store-and forward packet techniques) have certainly 
advanced the state-of-the-art in communications, one of the defined 
purposes of the Amateur Radio Service, as recognized by international 
treaty. 

Since in many cases hams are writing "the book", there is often no 
"book" or other established reference for a beginner to refer to.  
Traditionally, information has been passed on from ham to ham via word-
of-mouth.  Like many of the traditional crafts, a variation of the 
Master-Apprentice system has emerged, the Elmer-Novice relationship.  
Called "Elmers" because they are usually older and wiser, having the 
benefit of many years in the hobby, including several failed projects, 
and an electric shock or two, they have traditionally been the mainstay 
of amateur radio, and the source of many new hams, particularly those 
interested in working on emerging technologies. 

Even more importantly, Elmers provided an outlet for the impatient 
newcomer who wanted "to know everything, and right away."  Faced with 
such a request, a good Elmer will smile and proceed to lead the novice 
through some project or operating experience.  Several hours, days, or 
weeks later, the novice would have his answers, but would have earned 
them.  Even better, the sense of accomplishment would boost the novice's 
confidence and nudge him or her down the road to being a model, 
experienced ham operator. 

Many present hams feel that such an experience is missing today.  In 
today's hustle-bustle world, the response to such natural curiosity and 
desire to learn is, more often than not, "I'm too busy" or "RTFM." As a 
result, the quality of new hams declines and the knowledge and operating 
habits they develop in their first formative months and years leave much 
to be desired. And the very same hams who claim that they "can't 
understand the new generation" also, in almost the same breath, lament 
about the "decline of amateur radio." 

What is an Elmer today?
+++++++++++++++++++++++

An Elmer today is of any age, male or female, who has some expertise and 
is willing to share it with beginners.  Elmers don't even need to be 
licensed amateurs, just people with knowledge in some area of 
electronics or communications technology. 

What is a Usenet Elmer?
+++++++++++++++++++++++

With the ever-widening scope of the Internet, and the amateur radio 
newsgroups on Usenet, the potential for Elmers to share their 
knowledge to a wide audience has never been greater.  To that end, I 
have started to maintain a list of such Elmers. Volunteers need only 
send me their name, E-mail address, and area of expertise.  

Those desiring a more extensive list, or who need more specific 
assistance, are encouraged to contact Rosalie White, WA1STO, Educational 
Services Manager at the American Radio Relay League, 225 Main St., 
Newington, CT  06111 or via electronic mail addressed to 
rwhite@arrl.org.

The latest version of the list can be found in the companion posting to 
this message, "Amateur Radio Elmers Resource Directory."  If you sent me 
mail and are not on it, please resend as it may have been lost on the 
way or once it reached my host, or I am waiting on further revisions to 
your entry (with the list's increasing size, I like to keep the entries 
as descriptive as possible).

(Note to readers of Info-Hams Digest:  Because of its size, the 
companion list is not (yet) sent via the mailing list.  The latest copy 
can be obtained via anonymous FTP or FTP mail server from ftp.cs.buffalo.edu 
under file ~/pub/ham-radio/elmers_list or from pit-manager.mit.edu under
directory /pub/usenet/news.answers/elmers.)  

Currently, the list is over 40 Elmers strong, is cross-posted to the 
news.answers newsgroup, and has become an invaluable resource for many, 
as well as an opportunity for the volunteers to share their knowledge.  
Thanks to all the volunteer Elmers, as well as courteous list users, for 
making this service a success. 

--
73, Paul W. Schleck, KD3FU

pschleck@unomaha.edu (personal mail)
elmers-request@unomaha.edu (Elmers List administrivia)

* Possible origins of the word HAM: 

The acronym "Home Amateur Mechanic" or...

from the Cockney pronunciation of "L'amateur" or...

the initals of the founder of the American Radio Relay League, Hiram 
Maxim, W1AW (his actual middle name being Percy apparently 
notwithstanding) or... 

from the call letters of one of the first amateur stations at Harvard, 
H.A.M. (please, no flames from W1XM at MIT) 

(Dale Mosby, N7PEX, offers the explanation that HAM must stand for "Hardly 
Any Money," considering the investment one could make in the hobby.)

Knowledgable individuals from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), 
and other radio historians, seem to agree that the terms "Ham" and "Lid" 
(an inept operator) both originated with landline telegraphy.  A "Ham" 
was a show-off and a "Lid" was a telegraph operator so inexperienced, he 
had to use a pot or can lid to rest his telegraph sounder on to properly 
copy the code. 

As an interesting historical footnote, early telegraph operators may 
have been the first to experience the infamous curse of our 
communications age, Repetitive Stress (or "Carpal Tunnel") Syndrome 
(called "Glass Arm" in those days, which encouraged the invention of the 
semi-automatic or "bug" key).