"Elmer" Inspiration, Elmer "Bud" Frohardt Jr, W9DY, SK

[Steve - K4HX]

The ham radio mentor who inspired the term "Elmer" -- Elmer P. "Bud" Frohardt Jr, W9DY (ex-W9GFF), of Madison, Wisconsin -- died on March 22. He was 93. A friend and co-worker of the late Rod Newkirk, W9BRD (later VA3ZBB), who edited QST's "How's DX?" column, Frohardt was the "Elmer" that Newkirk had in mind when he used the name in his March 1971 column, referring to someone who helped to mentor new Amateur Radio licensees.

"Too frequently one hears a sad story in this little nutshell: 'Oh, I almost got a ticket, too, but Elmer, W9XYZ, moved away and I kind of lost interest,'" Newkirk had written. "We need those Elmers. All the Elmers, including the ham who took the most time and trouble to give you a push toward your license, are the birds who keep this great game young and fresh."

On AC6V's "Origin of Ham Speak" web page, John Becker, K9MM, is quoted as saying, "Bud was very well known locally for his involvement with the RAMS (Radio Amateur Megacycle Society) radio club, and he was always helping newcomers to the hobby."

Frohardt was an ARRL Life Member. Read more.

-- Thanks to The Daily DX

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

HI es FB OM - 73, Elmer - a true ham's HAM. 

[WD8BIL]

My Elmer's name was Ken! Ken Henthorne WA8MXU SK

[KD6VXI]

My elmer was my grandfather,  E. J.  Young.   He was a comms specialist on his ship in WWII.   Never held an amateur call,  but he is the person that encouraged me,  helped me,  and got me into my trade and hobbies I enjoy today.

I watched him install a SSB 23 channel CB in his El Camino when I was....   Well,  before 5.  We where in  Mojave desert of California.   His first response was from Texas.   I was utterly hooked.

RIP Grandpa.

--Shane
KD6VXI

[W6TOM]

  My Elmer was W6THD, we were working for a Silicon Valley Computer Company back in the early 80's.

  Over the last few years one of my high school friends in MA got interested after he saw my temporary station at my sister's home when I was back for a visit. He went to the Fall NEARFEST with me in 2014. Took a class late last year and got his Technician License, he just passed the General a few weeks ago.

[w1vtp]

My Elmer was Don, W1GAZ.  He not only taught me but employed me as a mid teen. Got me my pocket change for my receivers: first a Halli S-38b and then a SP100.  A great guy

[KB2WIG]

I actually had two Elmers....

      Norm, K2KLV

      Ralph, W2WME

Both are have passed onto the ionosphere.

klc

[W2NBC]

My "Elmer" was WA1HLR (and some other AM zealots) .. Listening to Timmy on my Drake 2C in the wee hours in my attic after my parents thought I was sleeping, his DIATRIBES on de-yellowfied AM was the ticket..

And da beat goes on..

[K4RT]

RIP W9DY.

I have had three Elmers.  The first was my high school electronics teacher, Mr. Langgin KA0GRW.  Mr. Langgin was very knowledgeable, patient, and a great teacher.  Second, after high school, I improved my DX chasing and equipment trouble-shooting skills by watching & listening to Glen K0JGH.  Third, Terry K7MPP encouraged me to buy my first boatanchor, learn about vacuum tube technology, and try AM.  All three have had a significant impact on my amateur radio experience.

[K1JJ]

In the early years I never had an Elmer.      I made LOTS of mistakes and had many technical misconceptions. My first homebrew project involved using a hammer and nail to punch out a tube socket hole... and the chassis collapsed.  I called CQ for 3 days without an answer on a Gotham vertical.   I almost got electrocuted with 800 volts - with scars to prove it...shall I continue?   

Bottom line... in ANY hobby, an Elmer can speed the success rate 100-fold. Always help those who need it. They will remember you always.


RIP "Elmer"  W9DY

T

[kb2vxa]

My elmer was Elmer Borden, his glue held my projects together. Then in the 60s came WA1 Henry Yell R and the 3885 Gangstas who had my father who had no other interest and me glued to my NC-173 for hours cracking up at their antics, my interest piqued but delayed. Fast forward to 1995 when a couple of elmers who taught me nothing, but rather arm twisted me into KB2VXA and I never looked back. So like those in the NYC Metro area may remember, like Jerry said; That's the stOOOry.

So thanks, now I know who the first Elmer was, I was always curious how that term came about.

As a footnote, since then several helpful elmers in several clubs along the way have helped my progress and now it is my turn to elmer, returning the favor where and when I can. Heavy metal AM and tubes are my specialty, that's why I'm here. Then one day it will be my turn to say goodbye and thanks for all the fish.

[WB2EMS]

My Elmer was Ash Palmer, K2EAW. I met him when I joined Boy Scouts at age 12 or so, and he was a friend and mentor through my college years and beyond. Besides doing yeoman work as a scoutmaster of a very successful troop - we camped every month of the year and had so many members we had to split the meetings over two nights - he gave a number of us who were interested in radio our Novice examinations and guided us into the fraternity of hams. He bootstrapped our interest into starting an Explore post around ham radio, garnered donated equipment from near and far, coached us into building a station at the scout building, and dragooned engineers and techs in from Xerox, General Dynamics, Stromberg Carlson and more to teach us the fundamentals of electronics and much practical lore that still serves me today in my professional life. Every field day he'd drag out his surplus generator and with a legion of scouts and explorers we'd drag that and a pile of tube gear out into the boonies to play radio in the woods for the weekend. In the winter we'd be at the workbenches he built in his garage, making power supplies for BC348's to use with the novice transmitters we were buiilding with parts he'd supplied. I spent many happy hours spinning the dials on his NC300, and later the Drake twins T4/R4 driving an SB220 - I still remember the silky feel of those Drake dials and have a pair now of my own in memory of those days.

The man was wonderful, molding many of us in the troop into much more reasonable human beings than we probably would have been otherwise.  I can still hear his voice "Gentlemen!" chiding us to settle down and pay attention, and he gave us so many interesting things to pay attention to and learn from. Looking back I stand in awe of the number of fellow hams he managed to draw in to tutor us and share all the many facets of ham radio that they enjoyed with us. While I was part of the scene, he probably got a dozen of us started on the hobby, faces I still see at hamfests around the area. Ash did the fraternity proud, and to honor him, I make it a point to be a helpful Elmer to anyone I run across who has an interest in the hobby. I raise a glass to K2EAW!